FREE ESSAY ON COMPUTER'S ROLE

COMPUTER'S ROLE

A Computer's Role
Computer technology not only has solved problems but also has created some, including a
certain amount of culture shock as individuals attempt to deal with the new technology. A
major role of computer science has been to alleviate such problems, mainly by making
computer systems cheaper, faster, more reliable, easier to use. Computers are forever
present in the workplace. Word processors-computer software packages that simplify the
creational and modification of documents-have largely replaced the typewriter. Electronic
mail has made it easy to send messages worldwide via computer communication networks. 
Office automation has become the term for linking workstations, printers, database
system, and other tools by means of a local-area network. An eventual goal of office
automation has been termed the "paperless office." Although such changes ultimately make
office work much more efficient, they have not been without cost in terms of purchasing
and frequently upgrading the necessary hardware and software and of training workers to
use the new technology. Computer integrated manufacturing is a relatively new technology
arising from the application of many computer science sub disciplines to support the
manufacturing enterprise. The technology of CIM emphasizes that all aspects of
manufacturing should be not only computerized as much as possible but also linked
together via a computer communication network into an integrated whole. In short, CIM has
the potential to enable manufacturers to build cheaper, higher-quality products and thus
improve their competitiveness. Making a telephone call no longer should conjure up
visions of operators connecting cables by hand or even of electrical signals causing
relays to click into place and effect connections during dialing. The telephone system
now is just a multilevel computer network with software switches in the network nodes to
route calls get through much more quickly and reliably than they did in the past. A
disadvantage is the potential for dramatic and widespread failures; for as has happened.
The downside of this technology is the potential for security problems. Intruders can see
packets traveling on a network and can perhaps interpret them to obtain confidential
information. Computer technology has had a significant impact on retail stores. All but
the smallest shops have replaced the old-fashioned cash register with a terminal linked
to a computer system. The terminal may require that the clerk type in the code for the
item; but more and more frequently the checkout counter include a bar-code scanner, a
device that directly reads into the computer the UPC printed on each package.
Cash-register receipts can then include brief descriptions of the items purchased, and
the purchase information is also relayed back to the computer to cause and immediate
adjustment in the inventory data. The inventory system can easily alert the manager when
the supply of some item drops below a specified threshold. In the case of retail chains
linked by networks, the order for a new supply of an item may be automatically generated
and sent electronically to the supply warehouse. In a less extensively automated
arrangement, the manager can send in the order electronically by a dial-up link to the
supplier's computer. These developments have made shopping much more convenient. The
checkout process is faster; checkout lines shorter; and the desired item are more likely
to be in stock. Computer technology has been incorporated into automobiles. Computers are
involved (CAD systems) not only the design of cars but also in the manufacturing and
testing process, perhaps making use of CIM technology. Today's automobiles themselves
include numerous computer chips that analyze sensor data and alert the driver to actual
and potential malfunctions. Although increased reliability has been achieved by
implementing such computerization, a drawback is that only automotive repair shops with a
large investment in high-tech interfaces and diagnostic tools for these computerized
systems can handle any but the simplest repairs.