Meaning and Origin of 'COMPUTER': The words 'Computer' comes from Latin word 'Computare' which means 'to calculate' or 'to count' or 'to fighter out'. Hence the computer is a large machine carrying out calculations of several stage automatically.The computer machine was first invented in 1890 by American Herman Holrith. This instrument called Cense Machine was used first for sensual purposes. The first electronic computer was made in 1946. The Universal Automatic Computer was used by U.S.A. in 1951.

Types of Computer: There are several types of computers ranging from small automatic calculators to heavy electronic machines.Among the heavy computers, there are mainly four -

1. Mini Super Computer.
2. Computer Mind.
3. Super Computer and
4. Master Computer.

The Mini Super Computer has been developed by an american electronic company. It can shoe three lacs of words in a second and can print one thousand lines in a minute.

A Computer which works like human mind had been made by the California Institute of Technology. The Super Computer made by Japan and the U.S.A. can do 10,000 counts in a second. The Master Computer can control the major activities of a country like transport, trade, election and securities arrangements.

Functions of Computers: Formerly ENIAC(Electronic Numerical Integration And Calculation) used to present an integrated analysis of mathematical data.but now Universal Automatic Computer can perform many different functions. It can tell us about weather,changes in space and prescribe treatment after examining the patients. This computer can collect data about factory workers, predict results in elections. it can be also used to make reservation for passengers at railway stations. It may be used for defence operations of radars and missiles.

Computers in every field of Life: Computers may be used in every field of life.the government of india has decided to buy a Super Computer from the U.S.A. for making meteorological studies of monsoons and research programmes. Government is thinking to use the computer to help her in space-research. there computer will be able to control flying space crafts. they will broadcast and telecast daily programmes. Radar will be computerized and missile operation will also be guided by computers. Military map making will also be computerized soon.

Computer in offices and factories: The computer may be used in offices and factories. the computer can guide machines and men looking after them. they can be applied in railways, corporation and banks. the ordinary computers are used in L.I.C. offices. soon they are going to be introduced in banks and railways. the railways ministry of India has introduced a computer at the New Delhi railway station to render reservation service to the passengers.

Computers in Education: Our previous Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi had felt the need of computerising education also. A specific provision is made to impart computer training to teachers and students in the New Education Policy. This is really a good scheme. If it becomes successful, the students will improve trade and industry in future.

According to Shri Rajiv Gandhi's statement, we can understand that the Government of India is preparing for the entrance of computer age. India is soon entering in 21st century which will really be the age of computer. Thus it can be said that soon India will be more or less computerized.