Computer

A computer is a device that has been designed to process data given some input data and a program to run.

A computer is a device that is able to take in data - called an input. It then acts upon that data - called processing, the result of which is the output of the machine.

A computer processes data by following a set of instructions. This collection of instructions is called a program. Different processing takes place by running different programs. Once the program is started, it runs automatically which may include stopping sometimes to wait for user inputs.

Computers also include some form of data storage called memory. Memory is used to hold the program. It can also be used to store its input and output data.

Most computers are digital - they act upon binary data.

There are also analog computers that can process analog (smooth) data, along quantum computers that act upon quantum bits.

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2020-10

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