Applications of Computers

Computers are fast becoming our way of life and one cannot imagine life without computers in
today’s world. Their importance can be attributed to the fact that almost every sphere of our life is
affected. We find their applications particularly in fields where computations are required to be
done at a very fast speed and where data is so complicated that the human brain finds it difficult to
cope up with.

1. Commercial and General Data Processing Systems

1.1 ATM Systems
ATM stands for Automatic/Automated Teller Machine. It is a machine that is connected to a bank’s
computer system that provides the bank’s customers with access to financial transactions in a
public space without the need for a cashier, human clerk or bank teller. The ATM can be used by the
customers to make cash withdrawals, credit card advances or check their account balances.
On most modern ATM systems, a customer is identified by inserting a plastic ATM card with a
magnetic stripe or a plastic smart card with a chip, which contains a unique card number and some
security information. Authentication is provided by the customer entering a personal identification
number (PIN). Upon successful entry of the PIN, the customer may perform a transaction.
ATMs are known by various other names including automatic/automated banking machine (ABM),
automated transaction machine and cashpoint.

1.2 Stock Control Systems

The collection of items that a business manufactures or sells is called stock. In a shop for example,
the stock includes all of the items on the shelves and out the back in the storeroom.
It is important that a business does not keep too much stock or too little stock. This is because:
o Too much stock costs money as you have to store it all somewhere
o Too much perishable stock (e.g. food) means that it may go bad before it is sold
o Too little stock means that you might run out of stock before the next delivery arrives

Definition: A stock control system is basically a database that keeps track of stock and informs users
of when to re-order along with helpful sales reports.

When items are sold or delivered, their codes are input to the system either manually or using a
point-of-sale terminal (barcode scanner or similar technology). The database matches the codes
with the items’ names and prices, prints an itemized bill and uses the data to update stock levels. It
also updates a sales file which can be used there and then to calculate all sorts of statistics. Stock
control systems make it very easy for stock levels to be monitored, and for stock to be reordered
when it is running low.

1.3 EFTPOS Systems

EFTPOS stands for Electronic Fund Transfer at the Point Of Sale. It is a system that combines a
business’ stock control system (EPOS) with an electronic fund transfer system, thereby enabling the
business to conduct financial transactions electronically. It allows individuals to pay for goods using
credit or debit cards. To pay for goods, a customer inserts their debit or credit card into a terminal
device and type in a PIN number to verify that it is their card. The system electronically contacts
their bank to check that the card is valid and hasn't been stolen and also that there is enough fund
in their account to pay for the goods. Once payment has been authorized by the bank, money is
removed from the customer’s account and electronically paid into the shop's account.

2. Industrial, Scientific and Technical Uses

2.1 Modeling and Simulation
Many things can be described by a set of mathematical formulas. When these formulas are included
in a computer program, the result is a computer model. A computer model is a computer program
that represents the construction and working of a real-life situation or system. Models are usually
produced in order to study the systems they represent. This process is known as simulation.

Definition: Simulation is the manipulation or operation of a model of a system in order to study the
behavior of the real system.

Modeling and simulation are useful for studying systems which would be impossible, too expensive
to build, impractical or dangerous to work with. Examples of situations that can be simulated are:
o The training of pilots
o The design of a bridge
o The design of a building
o The design of a racing car
Main advantages of simulation include:

 Study the behavior of a system without building it.

 Results are accurate in general, compared to analytical model.
 Help to find un-expected phenomenon, behavior of the system.
 Easy to perform ``What-If'' analysis.

Main disadvantages of simulation include:

 Expensive to build a simulation model.

 Expensive to conduct simulation.

Sometimes it is difficult to interpret the simulation results

2.2 Computer-Aided Design

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer technology in the design process. A CAD
software package allows a designer to create technical drawings and schematics which can be 2-
dimensional or 3-dimensional.
The benefit of CAD software packages is their ability to provide a digital prototype of the product at
early stages of the design process, which can be used for testing and evaluation. Examples of CAD
applications are AutoCAD used for technical drawings and ARES used for designing printed circuit
boards.
 2.3 Computer-Aided Manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of computer technology to assist in the
manufacturing process. In CAM, the computer is used to program, direct, and control production
equipment in order to manufacture products. Its primary purpose is to create a faster production
process and components and tooling with more detailed dimensions and material consistency,
which in some cases, uses only the required amount of raw material (thus minimizing waste), while
simultaneously reducing energy consumption. For example, on the production line of a car plant,
computers will control the robots that spot-weld the car body together or the robots that spray-
paint the car.

3. Control Systems, Automation Systems and Robotics

3.1 Monitoring and Control Systems
Control is the process of monitoring activities to ensure that they are being accomplished as
planned and of correcting any significant deviations. A computer control system is a computerized
system designed to control a process. Examples are traffic light control systems, greenhouse control
systems, and patient monitoring systems.

a. Green House Control System: In a greenhouse system, a computer controls the temperature in
a greenhouse to maintain the conditions required for the plants in it to grow. The greenhouse has
temperature and humidity sensors linked to a computer, and the computer has a control program
storing details of the correct temperature and humidity settings. The greenhouse is fitted with a
heater, sprinkler and window motor, also linked to the computer. If the humidity falls below the
values stored in the program, the computer activates the sprinklers and closes the windows. If the
temperature falls outside the values stored in the program, the heater is activated by the computer.
The system monitors the conditions night and day with immediate response to any changes. To
alter the growing conditions the values in the computer program can of course be changed.

b. Traffic Light System: In a traffic light system a computer controls the sequences of lights
displayed at a cross-roads to ensure that cars do not crash. Additionally the computer operates a
pedestrian crossing to let pedestrians cross the road when a button is pressed.

c. Patient Monitoring System: In a patient monitoring system, a computer controls the system
used to measure the health condition of patients. If a patient’s condition gets critical, the system
alerts the nurses or a doctor.

3.2 Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation and
application of robots. A robot is a machine that is designed to repeatedly do what humans can do
with speed and precision. An important application of this technology has been to create robots to
perform certain functions that are dangerous for human beings, or to do tasks that can be more
effectively performed by machines than by people. Although it may not have the physical
appearance of a human being, a robot may be thought of as a machine acting as a person while
being controlled by a computer