Applications of the computer in today’s age

Introduction

In the last few decades, computer technology has revolutionized the businesses and other aspects of human life all over the world. Practically, every company, large or small, is now directly or indirectly dependent on computers for data processing. Computer systems also help in the efficient operations of railway and airway reservation, hospital records, accounts, electronic banking, and so on. Computers not only save time, but also save paperwork. Some of the areas where computers are being used are listed below.

1. Science: Scientists have been using computers to develop theories, to analyze, and test the data.The fast speed and the accuracy of the computer allow different scientific analyses to be carried out. They can be used to generate detailed studies of how earthquakes affect buildings or pollution affects weather pattern. Satellite-based applications have not been possible without the use of computers. It would also not be possible to get the information of our solar system and the cosmos without computers.
2. Education: Computers have also revolutionized the whole process of education. Currently, the classrooms, libraries, and museums are utilizing computers to make the education much more interesting. Unlike recorded television shows, Computer Aided Education (CAE) and Computer Based Training (CBT) packages are making learning much more interactive.
3. Medicine and Health Care: There has been an increasing use of computers in the field of medicine. Now, doctors are using computers right from diagnosing the illness to monitoring a patient’s status during complex surgery. By using automated imaging techniques, doctors are able to look inside a person’s body and can study each organ in detail (such as CAT scans or MRI scans), which was not possible few years ago. There are several examples of special purpose computers that can operate within the human body such as a cochlear implant, a special kind of hearing aid that makes it possible for deaf people to hear.
4. Engineering/Architecture/Manufacturing: Architects and engineers extensively use computers for designing and drawing. Computers create objects that users can view in all three dimensions. By using techniques like virtual reality, architects explore houses they have designed but not yet built. Manufacturing factories use computerized robotic arms to perform hazardous jobs. In addition, engineers use Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) to design products, order parts, and plan production. Thus, computers help professionals coordinate the entire manufacturing process.
5. Entertainment: The entertainment industry increasingly uses computers. Professionals use them to control images and sounds. Computers make it possible to create the special effects that mesmerize audiences. In addition, creators use computerized animation and colorful graphics to modernize the film industry.
6. Communication: E-mail, or Electronic Mail, serves as a communication medium that uses computers. People use e-mail to send messages and reports to one or more recipients through a computer and a telephone line. This service saves time, reduces paper waste, and streamlines message transfer. The recipient can read the messages at their convenience and choose to save, reply, forward, or delete them using the computer.
7. Business Application: This represents one of the important uses of computers. Initially, users relied on computers for batch processing jobs that didn’t require immediate responses. Today, users mainly employ computers for real-time applications, such as sales counters, where instant responses are essential. People use computers for various purposes, including business forecasting, preparing pay bills and personnel records, handling banking operations and data storage, managing Life Insurance Business tasks, and supporting management decisions. Businesses also connect multiple computers through networks to share data and information. The use of email and the Internet has transformed the way people conduct business.
8. Publishing: Computers created a field known as DTP (Desktop Publishing). In DTP, users perform publishing tasks independently using a computer and a laser printer. Computers and DTP software automatically handle many time-consuming tasks, such as creating a table of contents and an index.
9. Banking: In the field of banking and finance, banks use computers extensively. People access ATM (Automated Teller Machine) services 24 hours a day to deposit and withdraw cash. When banks connect their different branches through computer networks, computers handle inter-branch transactions such as cheques and drafts without any delay.

Conclusion