Advantage and Dis-Advantage of Computer

Advantages of Computers:

Speed: The speed of a computer is measured in terms of the number of instructions that it can perform or execute in a second. The speeds of computers are measured in milli­seconds (10~3 sec), micro-seconds (10*6 sec), and nano-seconds (10~9sec). Computers are superfast machines and can process millions of instructions per second. Smaller computers can execute thousands of instructions per second, while the more complex machines can execute millions of instructions per second.

Accuracy: Computers are very accurate. They are capable of executing hundreds of instructions without any errors. They do not make mistakes in their computations. They perform each and every calculation with the same accuracy.

Efficiency The efficiency of computers does not decrease with age. The computers can perform repeated tasks with the same efficiency any number of times without exhausting there selves. Even if they are instructed to execute millions of instructions, they are capable of executing them all with the same speed and efficiency without exhaustion.

Storage Capability Computers are capable of storing large amounts of data in their storage devices. These dev ices occupy very less space and can store millions of characters in condensed forms. These storage devices typically include floppy disks, tapes, hard disks, CDs etc, the data stored on these devices can be retrieved and reused whenever it is required in future

Versatility Computers are very versatile. They are capable not only of performing complex mathematical tasks of science and engineering, but also other nonnumerical operations fielding air-line reservation, electricity bills, data base management etc.

Limitations of Computer Systems

Limitations are the drawbacks of the computer system in which humans outperform them.

Lack of common-sense: This is one of the major limitations of computer systems. No matter how efficient, fast and reliable computer systems might be but yet do not have any common sense because no full-proof algorithm has been designed to programme logic into them. As computers function based on the stored programme(s), they simply lack common sense.

Zero IQ: Another of the limitations of computer systems is that they have zero Intelligence Quotient (IQ). They are unable to see and think the actions to perform in a particular situation unless that situation is already programmed into them. Computers are programmable to complete each and every task, however small it may be.

Lack of Decision-making: Decision-making is a complicated process involving information, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, and ability to judge. The computer system does not have the ability to make decisions on their own because they do not possess all the essentials of decision-making.

They can be programmed to take such decisions, which are purely procedure-oriented. If a computer has not been programmed for a particular decision situation, it will not take a decision due to lack of wisdom and evaluation faculties. Human beings, on the other hand, possess this great power of decision-making.