What Is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Data versus Information

Computers process data into information.

Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video.

Information conveys meaning and is useful to people. One man's data is another man's information and vice versa. Example: one government agency produces information that is data to another agency, and so on.

Example: purchasing items in a store. Quantities and prices are input, processed (tallied up) and output to a paper receipt.

History

Early Analog (Mechanical) Computers (6:15)
Timeline of Computer History
Classic Computers (1:11)

The Components of a Computer