PDA Full Form

The full form of PDA is Personal Digital Assistant, also known as a pocket computer, can help us complete various work, study, entertainment, etc on a mobile phone. Depending on the consumption, it can be further divided into industrial-level PDA and PDA for consumer products.

Industrial PDA is mainly used in the commercial sector. The most common form of PDA is a barcode scanner, an RFID reader, a POS machine etc. Consumer PDA includes other devices such as smartphones, tablets, portable slot machines etc.

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA full form) is a digital tool used for helping with personal work. It mainly provides the functions such as taking notes, addressing the book, exchanging business cards and organizing the route.

What is PDA Full Form?

As mentioned above, PDA Full Form is Personal Digital Assistant. A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a device that can sit in the palm of your hand and allows you to gather different information such as addresses, events, reports and services.

When discussing the Apple Newton at CES on January 7, 1992, the PDA word was used for the first time by John Scully. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a hand-held device designed for use as a personal organizer with communications capabilities too. It is used to store contact information, manage calendars, sending and receiving an email, browsing the Internet and handling various documents.

Especially in the last couple of years, a handheld computer or personal digital assistant (PDA), has turned into a reliable desktop. With a personal computer’s pocket companion option, you don’t have to think whether you’ll need a computer set-up today or not. It is adequate to synchronize the data between the pocket and desktop computers (via a serial or USB port) and with a calm conscience to make the application work. 

However, it is necessary to let go of the common illusions immediately i.e the laptops do not have traditional operating systems of the Windows 98 class, Windows or Windows 2000. 

Therefore, you will have to work with unusual file formats and applications or software. But there is also an option created on a pocket computer, by which the text notes, tables, schedules, contacts and multimedia files can be transferred to a personal computer and vice versa – through the mechanism of synchronization with conversion into a proper supported format.

Important Characteristics of PDA

• Older PDAs did not have an access to memory port, but now certain PDAs can also have an access to port for memory cards and a port for the USB, full form of which is Universal Serial Bus.
• Earlier PDAs can be linked to PCs via serial ports and other technological gadgets. Now the connection is established using the USB cable that connects them.
• PDAs include both technology: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi that are wireless.
• Many PDAs could have GPS constructed-in technology, but some may include external GPS links too.
• Distorted  PDAs provide several additional features like radio frequency readers, barcode readers, smart card and magnetic stripe card readers.
• One of the significant preferences of possessing a PDA is the capacity to stay in contact with individuals through various means of communication such as email, text informing and telephone. Since PDAs are so convenient to use and networks are broad enough, clients can take them anywhere.
• Another advantage of possessing a PDA is its expanded association. Schedule and rundown applications make it simple to look after the arrangements, make notes in a hurry and document past discussions or other information.
• For some PDA clients, the gadget possessed by them has the additional advantage of meaning a specific status. PDAs might be held for a more significant level of representation. For individual clients, having the most recent PDA might be an indication of class or awareness about the innovative information.
• For many people, the primary preference of getting a PDA is being able to remain associated with people through email, calls, text informing and different courier applications. These are carried out with a broad organization network so clients can get the Internet anywhere they are. PDAs have enriched the broad internet connectivity.

Typical Features of PDA

PDA, full form of which is Personal Digital Association, consists of various features that are useful for the end user. The features are:

Touchscreen

Many of the original PDAs, such as the Apple Newton and Palm Pilot, featured a touchscreen option for user interaction, consisting of only a few buttons- usually reserved for shortcuts to frequently used programs. Some touchscreen PDAs, including Windows Mobile devices, had a detachable stylus to help in making selections.

Memory cards

Although many early PDAs did not consist of memory card slots, now most of the PDAs have some form of Secure Digital (SD) slot, a Compact Flash slot or a combination of the two. Some PDAs use microSD cards, which are electronically compatible with SD cards, but have a much smaller physical appearance.

Wired connectivity

While early PDAs connected to a user's personal computer via serial ports or another additional connection, today many PDAs connect via a USB cable. Older PDAs were unable to connect to each other via USB, as their implementations of USB didn't support acting as the host.

Wireless connectivity

Most modern PDAs have Bluetooth facility, a popular wireless system for mobile devices. Bluetooth can be used to connect keyboards, headsets, GPS receivers and other nearby devices. It's also possible and easy to transfer files between PDAs that have Bluetooth. Many modern PDAs have Wi-Fi wireless network connectivity and can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots within seconds.

Advantages and disadvantages of Using a PDA

PDAs are viewed as an impressive invention because of their accessibility, convenience and swift functionalities. Well, like any other gadget, this digital assistant also has certain limitations. So, to help people make the right purchase decision, we have prepared a list of the benefits and limitations of using a personal digital assistant.

Advantages:

• Easy accessibility

One of the principal reasons that encourages an individual to purchase a PDA is undoubtedly its accessibility. With the help of this gadget, people can stay connected through a wide array of applications like phones, emails, text etc. 

• Swift Internet Connectivity

PDAs are great for individuals who carry out a vast part of their work on the Internet. This gadget is known to provide easy access to the internet without any sort of network interruption. Be it a metropolitan area or a remote zone, a personal digital assistant provides extensive connectivity that's why it is often preferred over tablets and laptops.

• Expert Organiser

Be it preparing address books, scheduling meeting dates, or tracking important events, PDAs act as a saviour. It has grown in popularity owing to its amazing organising feature. You can store a wide array of information in an organized manner thereby, eliminating the need to carry different types of gadgets.

Disadvantages:

• Expensive

Personal digital assistants are pretty expensive and can cause budget constraints. Buyers are required to incur subscription charges and pay them to the network provider. The monthly bill can put a big hole in your pocket as extra charges can be levied in case users cross the minimum limit of calls or data capacity.

• Accessibility issues

PDAs are designed in the most technologically innovative manner to reduce paperwork. Well, people with limited technical knowledge can often find it difficult to use it in business settings or even for personal use. 

• Distraction

This gadget can turn into a major distraction when an individual is not performing any productive task. People who are constantly in touch with such an interesting gadget can become distracted and unable to concentrate on their business or work.

Other Full Form of PDA

There is one more PDA full form, which is Patent ductus arteriosus in the medical industry. PDA in medical terminology means a lasting opening between two major blood vessels leading from the heart.