10 Uses of Computer

1. Arithmetic Data Processing

Arithmetic data processing, most commonly referred to as data processing is used to mean manipulation and
conversion of mathematical data into useful information via output devices. Data processing however, is meant
to cover all kinds of processing done by the computer, be it word processing, desktop publishing or media
production.
Data processing hardware and software can be used to measure both quantitative and qualitative data in the
following and other areas:
 Processing of payroll using software like QuickBooks, Simple X Payroll and ADP Payroll.
 Record management using Sage, MS Access and TurboCASH.
 GIS and remote sensing using Maptitude, ArcGIS and Geosoft.
 Sales management using Tactile CRM, Base and Sage.
 Data analysis processing in research using SPSS, Statisca and Analytica.
 Tax preparation processing using Turbo Tax, Drake Software and TacACT.
 Creating billing and invoicing using Replicon TimeBill, Zoho, Billbooks.
 Demographic analysis of population using Population Analysis System, NoreMark and Surviv.
2. Word Processing
Word processing is actually data processing only that it is limited to manipulation of alphanumeric text and how
this text appears on the page. For the most part, Word processing involves manipulation of text related file
types like:
 Letters  Reports
 Journals  Manuscripts
 Lyrics  Articles
 poetry  Resumes
3. Desktop Publishing
Desktop publishing (DTP) is all about creating high quality and artistic documents based on page layout and
vector graphics in target applications. These applications put emphasis on structure and display of document
layout when compared to word processors which focus on text production.
Designers of desktop publishing applications use texts and vector drawings, and where necessary bitmap
images for different effects. The processed documents can then get printed on paper and other surfaces,
published online and shared in PDF file format.
Examples of DTP documents aimed for printing include:
 Magazines
 Newspapers
 Book covers
 Brochures
 Billboards
4. Photo Editing
Photo editing is a popular form of image manipulation with the purpose of enhancing photo quality, fixing
photographic errors and pranking people. Usually, editing of images is meant to be applied to photos that have
been captured using digital cameras, but other types of non-digital images i.e. printed photos and illustrations
can be scanned digitally and edited using computer software.
5. Communication
The dawn of computers and Internet transformed communication way beyond what humanity thought was
possible. The shelving of traditional drums, telegraph and shortwave radio paved way for Internet, which in turn
has made a global village out of our world.
Internet has also enabled information to pass from point A to B and from one person to another, faster and
securely.
6. Education
Computers and peripherals have become the mainstream tools through which knowledge is delivered to the
young and old alike. Even better (or worrying!) children are learning to grow up with computing devices, and
gone are days when computer lessons were treated only as modules.
Children now doodle or play the keyboard on the tablet rather than scribble on paper and ground.
7. Entertainment and Leisure
One aspect of human lifestyle that benefited most from the dawn of computers is entertainment. It all started
with the use of PC CDROM, disk drives and Creative Lab speakers, before graduating to Napster, iPods and
Spotify. With evolving technology, almost all kinds of entertainment can be achieved through computers.
8. Software Development
Besides human ware, computer software is a very crucial part in computer ecosystem. Software is what drives
computer hardware and the very reason for technological innovations that drive the universe today.
In order to ensure this ecosystem continues to thrive, new software need to be made and software
programmers need to continue doing their work. Much of the software abound today would not have been
possible were it not for the effort of software programmers or developers.
9. Web Development
Web design is the art of creating, publishing and maintaining websites to the internet. When ready to go live,
websites are hosted online using webhosting companies. A website is presented visually across the internet
from where online visitors can access them.
Once complete, websites are accessible through web browsers like Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft
Edge, which are optimized both for desktop and mobile.
10. 3D Modelling and Animation
Computers are used to create 3D modeling and 3D animation for many purposes. To start with, the end result
of 3D modeling is 3D models which can as well be transformed to 3D animation by use of specialized software.
Overall, the two are designed to create visually appealing models for many purposes.
Supercomputers – Supercomputers are very
Microcomputers or Personal computers –
expensive, very fast, and the most powerful
A personal computer is a computer designed to
computers we have in the world.
be used by one user at a time. The
Supercomputers are optimized to execute a few
term microcomputer relates to the microprocessor
numbers of programs. This makes it possible for
which is used with a personal computer for the
them to execute these few programs at a very high
purpose of processing data and instruction codes.
speed. Due to their inhibiting cost, they are used in
These are the most common computer types since
high-end places like in scientific research centers.
they are not very expensive.
The supercomputer consists of thousands of
processors making it clock very high speeds
measured by petaflops.

Desktop computers are not built to be mobile.

Mainframe computers — These are large and They are moved, but only to a new desktop location
expensive computer types capable of supporting and with the power supply inactive. There are a
hundreds, or even thousands, of users number of major differences between computers
simultaneously. Thus, they are mostly used by that are intended to be used in one place as a
governments and large organizations for bulk data desktop and portables or mobiles that can be easily
processing, critical applications, transaction moved from one location to another.
processing, census, industry and consumer
statistics among others. They are ranked below
supercomputers

Minicomputers — Minicomputers are mid-sized

computers. In terms of size and power,
minicomputers are ranked below mainframes. A
minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable
of supporting from 4 to about 200 users
simultaneously.