Uses of computer:

Computer is playing ready important role in every feel of life. It has changed the way of life.
Computers are everywhere such as at home, at offices, at school/colleges/ universities. They are
used to perform different tasks quickly and easily. So a lot of time and efforts of the people are
saved due to the use of computers. The overall cost to complete a particular task is also reduced.

In daily life, a large number of activities are dependent upon computers. The main fields where
computers are playing very important role are described below.

1.8.1 Education:

Education is the process of getting knowledge through instructions. The instructions are received
from people such as parents, teachers etc. and from printed material such as books, journals etc.
Today, the modern technique to get knowledge is by using computers.

Most of the colleges use computers in classrooms and Labs to teach students. Many educators
prefer to deliver their lectures by computer-based presentations. In schools, colleges and
universities, students use software packages to complete their assignments. There are different
methods used to educate the students but the most popular methods are as follows:

(i) Computer-Aided Learning (CAL)

(ii) Computer-Based Training (CBT)

(iii) Distance Learning

(i) Computer-Aided Learning (CAL):

Computer Aided Learning (CAL) is the use of information technology to assist in the teaching and
learning processes. The use of computer in education can reduce administrative load and time that is
spent on preparing teaching materials. A special device called the multimedia projector is used for
this purpose.

(ii) Computer-Based Training (CBT):

Any training that is delivered via a computer is called Computer-Based Training (CBT). It is also called
Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI). These programs or material include text, graphics, audio and
video (i.e. lectures recorded in the form of video). This method of teaching has the following
benefits:

 Students can easily learn new skills.

 Training times can be reduced.

 Planning and timing problems can be reduced or eliminated.

 It is very cost effective method to train a large of people or students.

 It is very attractive method to deliver lectures to Students.

 Lectures can be repeated again and again.

1.8.2 Uses of Computer in Business:

The use of computer in business is very important. Today, in global markets, it is impossible to run
the business without the use of computer technology. In every organization, there are many
business activities that are mostly performed through computer very quickly and efficiently. In
business, computers are used for the following purposes:

 Marketing
 Stock exchange
 Banking
 Departmental store
 Office automation

(1) Marketing:

In business, computer is very useful for the marketing of products of an organization. Many
marketing applications are available that can be used to provide information about the products to
the customers. Computer is also used for advertising the products and to maintain the record of
products.

(2) Stock Exchanges:

Stock exchanges are the important places for businessmen. Today, stock markets around the world
are mostly computerized. Many stock markets launched the computerized systems. These systems
make it possible for stockbrokers to do all their trading electronically.

(3) Uses of Computer in Banks:

Today, most of the banks are computerized. Computerized banking has provided several benefits
and saved the time of customers. The accounts of customers are maintained through computer.
Most of the banks use mainframe computer to maintain their customer accounts. People can draw
money from ATM at any time. Similarly. Most of the banks provide the facility of credit cards that
can be used to purchase different items from departmental stores wilt-tout paying net cash.

(4) Uses of Computer in Departmental Stores:

The role of computer is very important in departmental stores. For example, the record of products
for sale is maintained through computer. Similarly, the bills of customers are prepared through
computer. All operations are performed very easily and quickly. In departmental stores, a bar code is
printed on most of the products. This bar code contains information about the product such as name
of product and its price. This bar code is read through the device known as bar-code scanner or
reader. The bar-code reader is attached with the computer.

Security cameras are also widely used in departmental stores. Security camera records the activities
of the customers in the departmental store.

(5) Office Automation (OA):

Office Automation (OA) refers to the process of automating office tasks. In an office, different types
of tasks are performed using computer. These tasks include:

o Decision-making
o Data manipulation
o Document handling
o Communication
o Data storage

Many offices use the computer-based systems to perform various tasks. These systems include:
(i) Document management system

(ii) Message handling system

(iii) Office support system

1.8.3 Entertainment

Computer is also playing very important role for the entertainment of human beings. Computer has
become a need of human beings for entertainment at their homes. For example, to play video
games at home, different game software are available. Similarly, software are available to see movie,
films and to listen music.

On the web, you can view fine art images in online museums and galleries. Some artists sell their
works online and others display them for your viewing pleasure.

1.8.4 E-Commerce

E-commerce stands for electronic commerce. It is also known as trade or business. E-commerce is a
financial business transaction conducted electronica between business partners over computer
network (such as on Internet). This say time for participants on both ends. The users can buy, sell,
and exchange products services via computer network. Usually the payments are made using credit
cards.

Types of E-Commerce Different types of e-commerce are as follows:

 B2C (Business-to-Consumer): It is the direct trade between company and end consumers.
Anyone can buy products using credit cards.
 C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): It is the direct trade between consumers it helps the online
dealing of goods or services.
 B2B (Business-to-Business): It is the direct trade between two businesses/companies.
Companies doing business with each other such as manufacturers selling to distributors and
wholesalers selling to retailers.

Role of E-Commerce in Daily Life:

In daily life, there are many applications of e-commerce. The main services provided by e-commerce
are as follows:

i. E-Mail
ii. Video Conferencing
iii. Electronic Shopping (E-Shopping)
iv. Electronic Banking
1.8.5 Health Care

Nearly every area of the medical field uses computers such as laboratories research offices,
scanning, monitoring, pharmacy etc. They are helping the doctors to diagnose diseases and many
other. The main uses of computer in medical field are described below:

i. Maintaining Patient History & Other Records:

The complete bio-data as well as medical history of patients are recorded into the computer. The
doctors or nurses can find the record of a particular patient very easily and quickly. Records of
patients can also be updated very easily. In this way, much of the doctor's time is saved. In the past,
records of patients were maintained manually in files. It was very difficult to find a particular
patient's file.

In addition to patient history, other information about doctors, medicines, and medical equipments
is also maintained through computers. This information can be retrieved very easily and quickly. In
hospitals, mostly all the medical wards are interconnected through network.

ii. Patient Monitoring:

Different electronic scanning devices (medical equipments) are used in hospitals. These are
connected with computers. These devices are used to monitor the patient continuously. Thus
computers are normally used in the following medical units of hospitals for monitoring patients:

 ICU (Intensive Care Unit)

 Operation Theatre.
 Recovery Room.
 Medical Ward.
 ECG (Electrocardiograph)

iii. Diagnosis of Diseases:

Computer is also used in hospital for diagnosis of the diseases. For example, laboratory tests on
blood and tissue chemistry have become dependent upon computer analysis.

One common use of computer in hospital is to scan the body of a patient. A special scanner is used
for this purpose. A scanner sends electromagnetic rays through a patient body and sensors detect
that how much patient's body has been affected by any type of cancer (or disease).

For example, the CAT(Computerized Axial Topography) scanner passes rays over the patient. A CAT
scanner takes many X-rays around the body. It displays an image that enables physicians to look
through the patient's skin. As the scanner passes over the patient, it displays an image of bone and
tissue structure of patient on ą computer screen.

iv. Telemedicine:

Another improvement in the medical field is the telemedicine. In telemedicine, you can access
medical care centres using computers videoconferencing.

v. Computer-Aided Surgery (CAS):

Many surgeons also use computer-aided surgery while they are in training. It is used to learn surgical
techniques. The physicians and dentists also use the computer aided learning (CAL) program. Many
websites also provide up-to-date medical, fitness etc. information. These websites also maintain
databases about various problems and their solutions. There are also medical chat rooms on the
Internet.

1.8.6: Science:

Computer is used in all branches of science to collect and analyse data. The scientists also use
Internet to collect the latest information around the world. Today, it is impossible to carry out
scientific researches without use of computers. In all branches of science, it is mainly used to get
accurate experimental results, for example to get accurate forecasting of weather.
1.8.7: Publishing:

In the field of publishing, computer is playing very important role such as publishing the books,
magazines and newspapers etc. The publishers use computer and word processors and graphics
software to design pages of the books or magazines. Many writers and publishers use Internet to
collect information that is used for compiling a new book or magazine. Some websites allow you to
download an entire book, called an electronic book (e-book). The journalists also use the notebook
computers and digital cameras to capture and record news.

1.8.8: Traveling:

Computer is also playing very important role in traveling by car or airplane to arrive easily and safely
at your destination. Today many vehicles use special electronic equipments in the ear that controls
various activities of the car. These cars have GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver that reports
your vehicle's location. These cars also have "Onboard Navigation System” that has the following
features:

 Tracks the vehicle if it is stolen

 Provides emergency services.
 Provides directions.
 Provides roadside assistance
 Performs remote diagnostics if a warning light appears on the dashboard.
 To make hotel and restaurant reservations

1.8.9: Government:

A government runs the country by making policies and provides citizens with up-to-date
information. Most of the government departments have their own websites. The computers are
used in all government offices to perform various cities. The government agencies use computers as
part of their daily routine

1.8.10: Home:

Like other electronic devices used in home such as TV set, washing me etc. Computer has also
become the need of every person at home. It is used at as an educational tool for children. But it is
also used at home to keep records letter prepare budgets, connect with others to send and get
information on Internet to watch films and to listen to music or for other entertainments etc.

1.8.11: Agriculture In agriculture field also, computer is playing very important role. The agricultural
scientists use computer for analysing the agricultural data. The student agriculture uses computer to
get latest information about agriculture on the Interne The farmers also use computer to get
information about crops and to calculate bills and cost per acre as well as to get information about
crops market prices.

1.8.12: Energy:

Energy companies use computers to locate or search oil, coal, natural gas and uranium. Similarly
electric power companies use computers to monitor the power networks. In addition, meter readers
use handheld computers to record the units consumed in homes and business.

1.8.13 Industry:
In industry, computers are used to control and monitor the manufacturing system and continuous
running of the machinery. They also help in monitoring temperature, pressure, for checking the
quality & accuracy, and measurement needed in the manufacturing process.

Role of Robots in Industry:

In industry, robots are used to perform most of the activities. A robot is an automatic
programmable machine. It can move and perform mechanical tasks. It means that a robot acts like
human beings. Robot can work in an environment that is dangerous for human beings such as
opening chemical packages. It can perform repetitive tasks continuously without any break, at very
high accuracy than human beings. Robots can also be used in hundreds of applications such as:

 Assembling & spray-painting of cars

 Lifting of heavy equipments, power cables etc.
 Testing blood samples