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Wednesday 21 August 2024

From Manual to Automated: How Automation is Changing Everyday Life

 

From Manual to Automated: How Automation is Changing Everyday Life



From Manual to Automated: How Automation is Changing Everyday Life

In recent years, automation has transitioned from a niche concept to a central force driving transformation across various aspects of daily life. Once confined to industrial settings and complex computing systems, automation is now seamlessly integrated into our homes, workplaces, and even our personal routines. This shift from manual processes to automated systems is redefining how we live, work, and interact with technology. Here’s a closer look at how automation is revolutionizing everyday life and the implications of this transformation.

The Rise of Automation in Daily Life

1. Home Automation: The Smart Living Revolution

Home automation has become a hallmark of modern living. Smart home devices, such as thermostats, lighting systems, and security cameras, have made managing household tasks more convenient and efficient. Voice-activated assistants like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant enable users to control various home functions with simple commands.

  • Smart Thermostats: Devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat learn users' preferences and adjust heating and cooling settings accordingly, optimizing energy use and reducing utility bills.

  • Home Security: Automated security systems offer real-time monitoring, remote access, and alerts, providing enhanced safety and peace of mind.

2. Workplaces Transformed by Automation

The workplace has also seen a dramatic shift due to automation technologies. From administrative tasks to complex processes, automation is streamlining operations and enhancing productivity.

  • Robotic Process Automation (RPA): RPA tools automate repetitive tasks such as data entry and invoice processing, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic activities. This leads to increased efficiency and fewer errors.

  • Collaborative Tools: Automation in collaborative platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams enables seamless communication and project management. Automated reminders and workflow integrations help teams stay organized and on track.

  • Customer Service Automation: Chatbots and automated customer service systems provide instant responses to customer inquiries, improving response times and satisfaction.

3. Transportation and Mobility Innovations

Automation is also reshaping how we travel and move goods. Advances in autonomous vehicles and smart transportation systems are set to revolutionize the transportation industry.

  • Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars and trucks are being developed to enhance road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and improve transportation efficiency. Companies like Tesla and Waymo are leading the charge in this area.

  • Smart Traffic Management: Automated traffic management systems use real-time data to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve overall transportation efficiency.

4. Healthcare and Well-being

The integration of automation into healthcare is transforming patient care and medical processes. From telemedicine to robotic surgery, automation is enhancing both the quality and accessibility of healthcare.

  • Telemedicine: Automated systems facilitate remote consultations, allowing patients to receive medical advice and treatment without leaving their homes. This is especially beneficial for those in remote areas or with mobility issues.

  • Robotic Surgery: Robotic systems assist surgeons in performing precise and minimally invasive procedures, leading to quicker recovery times and reduced risk of complications.

  • Wearable Health Tech: Automated health monitoring devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, provide real-time data on physical activity, heart rate, and other health metrics, enabling individuals to manage their well-being more effectively.

The Impact of Automation on Daily Life

1. Enhanced Convenience and Efficiency

One of the most noticeable impacts of automation is the increased convenience and efficiency it brings. Tasks that once required significant time and effort can now be completed quickly and effortlessly, allowing individuals to focus on more meaningful activities.

2. Improved Accuracy and Consistency

Automation reduces the likelihood of human error and ensures greater consistency in processes. This is particularly important in fields such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, where precision and reliability are crucial.

3. Economic and Workforce Implications

While automation offers numerous benefits, it also has economic and workforce implications. The automation of routine tasks can lead to job displacement, as certain roles become redundant. However, it also creates opportunities for new types of jobs and requires a workforce

Friday 16 April 2021

Tuesday 17 March 2020

PHP & AJAX

What is AJAX ?

  • AJAX stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. AJAX is a new technique for creating better, faster, and more interactive web applications with the help of XML, HTML, CSS and Java Script.
  • Conventional web application transmit information to and from the sever using synchronous requests. This means you fill out a form, hit submit, and get directed to a new page with new information from the server.
  • With AJAX when submit is pressed, JavaScript will make a request to the server, interpret the results and update the current screen. In the purest sense, the user would never know that anything was even transmitted to the server.
For complete learning on AJAX, please refer to AJAX Tutorial.

PHP and AJAX Example

To clearly illustrate how easy it is to access information from a database using Ajax and PHP, we are going to build MySQL queries on the fly and display the results on "ajax.html". But before we proceed, lets do ground work. Create a table using the following command.
NOTE − We are assuming you have sufficient privilege to perform following MySQL operations.
CREATE TABLE `ajax_example` (
   `name` varchar(50) NOT NULL,
   `age` int(11) NOT NULL,
   `sex` varchar(1) NOT NULL,
   `wpm` int(11) NOT NULL,
   PRIMARY KEY  (`name`)
) 
Now dump the following data into this table using the following SQL statements.
INSERT INTO `ajax_example` VALUES ('Jerry', 120, 'm', 20);
INSERT INTO `ajax_example` VALUES ('Regis', 75, 'm', 44);
INSERT INTO `ajax_example` VALUES ('Frank', 45, 'm', 87);
INSERT INTO `ajax_example` VALUES ('Jill', 22, 'f', 72);
INSERT INTO `ajax_example` VALUES ('Tracy', 27, 'f', 0);
INSERT INTO `ajax_example` VALUES ('Julie', 35, 'f', 90);

Client Side HTML file

Now lets have our client side HTML file which is ajax.html and it will have following code
<html>
   <body>
      
      <script language = "javascript" type = "text/javascript">
         <!--
            //Browser Support Code
            function ajaxFunction(){
               var ajaxRequest;  // The variable that makes Ajax possible!
               
               try {
                  // Opera 8.0+, Firefox, Safari
                  ajaxRequest = new XMLHttpRequest();
               }catch (e) {
                  // Internet Explorer Browsers
                  try {
                     ajaxRequest = new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP");
                  }catch (e) {
                     try{
                        ajaxRequest = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");
                     }catch (e){
                        // Something went wrong
                        alert("Your browser broke!");
                        return false;
                     }
                  }
               }
               
               // Create a function that will receive data 
               // sent from the server and will update
               // div section in the same page.
     
               ajaxRequest.onreadystatechange = function(){
                  if(ajaxRequest.readyState == 4){
                     var ajaxDisplay = document.getElementById('ajaxDiv');
                     ajaxDisplay.innerHTML = ajaxRequest.responseText;
                  }
               }
               
               // Now get the value from user and pass it to
               // server script.
     
               var age = document.getElementById('age').value;
               var wpm = document.getElementById('wpm').value;
               var sex = document.getElementById('sex').value;
               var queryString = "?age=" + age ;
            
               queryString +=  "&wpm=" + wpm + "&sex=" + sex;
               ajaxRequest.open("GET", "ajax-example.php" + queryString, true);
               ajaxRequest.send(null); 
            }
         //-->
      </script>
  
      <form name = 'myForm'>
         Max Age: <input type = 'text' id = 'age' /> <br />
         Max WPM: <input type = 'text' id = 'wpm' />
         <br />
         
         Sex: <select id = 'sex'>
            <option value = "m">m</option>
            <option value = "f">f</option>
         </select>
   
         <input type = 'button' onclick = 'ajaxFunction()' value = 'Query MySQL'/>
   
      </form>
      
      <div id = 'ajaxDiv'>Your result will display here</div>
   </body>
</html>
NOTE − The way of passing variables in the Query is according to HTTP standard and the have formA.
URL?variable1=value1;&variable2=value2;
Now the above code will give you a screen as given below
NOTE − This is dummy screen and would not work.
Max Age:  

Max WPM: 
Sex:  
Your result will display here

Server Side PHP file

So now your client side script is ready. Now we have to write our server side script which will fetch age, wpm and sex from the database and will send it back to the client. Put the following code into "ajax-example.php" file.
<?php
   
   $dbhost = "localhost";
   $dbuser = "dbusername";
   $dbpass = "dbpassword";
   $dbname = "dbname";
   
   //Connect to MySQL Server
   mysql_connect($dbhost, $dbuser, $dbpass);
   
   //Select Database
   mysql_select_db($dbname) or die(mysql_error());
   
   // Retrieve data from Query String
   $age = $_GET['age'];
   $sex = $_GET['sex'];
   $wpm = $_GET['wpm'];
   
   // Escape User Input to help prevent SQL Injection
   $age = mysql_real_escape_string($age);
   $sex = mysql_real_escape_string($sex);
   $wpm = mysql_real_escape_string($wpm);
   
   //build query
   $query = "SELECT * FROM ajax_example WHERE sex = '$sex'";
   
   if(is_numeric($age))
   $query .= " AND age <= $age";
   
   if(is_numeric($wpm))
   $query .= " AND wpm <= $wpm";
   
   //Execute query
   $qry_result = mysql_query($query) or die(mysql_error());
   
   //Build Result String
   $display_string = "<table>";
   $display_string .= "<tr>";
   $display_string .= "<th>Name</th>";
   $display_string .= "<th>Age</th>";
   $display_string .= "<th>Sex</th>";
   $display_string .= "<th>WPM</th>";
   $display_string .= "</tr>";
   
   // Insert a new row in the table for each person returned
   while($row = mysql_fetch_array($qry_result)) {
      $display_string .= "<tr>";
      $display_string .= "<td>$row[name]</td>";
      $display_string .= "<td>$row[age]</td>";
      $display_string .= "<td>$row[sex]</td>";
      $display_string .= "<td>$row[wpm]</td>";
      $display_string .= "</tr>";
   }
   echo "Query: " . $query . "<br />";
   
   $display_string .= "</table>";
   echo $display_string;
?>
Now try by entering a valid value in "Max Age" or any other box and then click Query MySQL button.
Max Age:  

Max WPM: 
Sex:  
Your result will display here
If you have successfully completed this lesson then you know how to use MySQL, PHP, HTML, and Javascript in tandem to write Ajax applications.

PHP & MySQL

PHP will work with virtually all database software, including Oracle and Sybase but most commonly used is freely available MySQL database.

What you should already have ?

  • You have gone through MySQL tutorial to understand MySQL Basics.
  • Downloaded and installed a latest version of MySQL.
  • Created database user guest with password guest123.
  • If you have not created a database then you would need root user and its password to create a database.
We have divided this chapter in the following sections −