What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that executes the instructions in a program. A computer has four functions:

a. accepts data Input

b. processes data Processing

c. produces output Output

d. stores results storage

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Some Basic Terms

Hardware The physical parts of the computer.

Software The programs (instructions) that tell the computer what to do

Data Individual facts like first name, price, quantity ordered

Information Data which has been massaged into a useful form, like a complete mailing address

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What makes a computer powerful?

Speed A computer can do billions of actions per second.

Reliability Failures are usually due to human error, one way or another.

Storage A computer can keep huge amounts of data.