| n. | 1. | One who computes. |
| 2. | (Computers) an electronic device for performing calculations automatically. It consists of a clock to provide voltage pulses to synchronize the operations of the devices within the computer, a | |
| 3. | (Computers) same as digital computer. |
| Noun | 1. | computer - a machine for performing calculations automatically |
| 2. | computer - an expert at calculation (or at operating calculating machines) |
| 1. | (publication) | Computer - A journal of the IEEE Computer Society. | |
| 2. | (computer) | computer - A machine that can be programmed to manipulate
symbols. Computers can perform complex and repetitive
procedures quickly, precisely and reliably and can quickly
store and retrieve large amounts of data. The physical components from which a computer is constructed (electronic circuits and input/output devices) are known as "hardware". Most computers have four types of hardware component: CPU, input, output and memory. The CPU (central processing unit) executes programs ("software") which tell the computer what to do. Input and output (I/O) devices allow the computer to communicate with the user and the outside world. There are several kinds of memory - fast, expensive, short term memory (e.g. RAM) to hold intermediate results, and slower, cheaper, long-term memory (e.g. magnetic disk and magnetic tape) to hold programs and data between jobs. See also analogue computer. |
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