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  1. What is a computer? | Britannica

    Dec 22, 2025 · A computer is a machine that can store and process information. Most computers rely on a binary system, which uses two variables, 0 and 1, to complete tasks such as storing data, …

  2. Computer - Technology, Invention, History | Britannica

    Dec 22, 2025 · Computer - Technology, Invention, History: By the second decade of the 19th century, a number of ideas necessary for the invention of the computer were in the air.

  3. Computer science | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica

    Jan 23, 2026 · Computer science is the study of computers and computing, including their theoretical and algorithmic foundations, hardware and software, and their uses for processing information.

  4. Computer - History, Technology, Innovation | Britannica

    Dec 22, 2025 · It is not too great a stretch to say that, in the Jacquard loom, programming was invented before the computer. The close relationship between the device and the program became apparent …

  5. Personal computer (PC) | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica

    personal computer (PC), a digital computer designed for use by only one person at a time.

  6. computer summary | Britannica

    Computer, device for processing, storing, and displaying information. Computer once meant a person who did computations, but now the term almost universally refers to automated electronic machinery.

  7. Computer science - Architecture, Organization, Algorithms | Britannica

    Jan 23, 2026 · Computer science - Architecture, Organization, Algorithms: Computer architecture deals with the design of computers, data storage devices, and networking components that store and run …

  8. computer - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

    Computer software is divided into two basic types—the operating system and application software. The operating system controls how the different parts of hardware work together. Application software …

  9. Computer memory - Cache, RAM, ROM | Britannica

    Dec 22, 2025 · Memory usage by modern computer operating systems spans these levels with virtual memory, a system that provides programs with large address spaces (addressable memory), which …

  10. computer - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

    Generally, a computer is any device that can perform numerical calculations—even an adding machine, an abacus, or a slide rule. Currently, however, the term usually refers to…