The Computer
A machine that performs tasks, such as mathematical calculations or electronic communication, under the control of a set of instructions called a program is a computer. Programs usually reside within and are retrieved and processed by 's electronics, and the program results are stored or routed to output devices, such as video display monitors or printers. Computers are used to perform a wide variety of activities with reliability, accuracy, and speed.
Uses of Computers
People use computers in a wide variety of ways. In business, computers track inventories with bar codes and scanners, check the credit status of customers, and transfer funds electronically. In homes, tiny computers ...
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or sentence construction to advanced calculus. Educators use computers to track grades and prepare notes; with computer-controlled projection units, they can add graphics, sound, and animation to their lectures. Computers are used extensively in scientific research to solve mathematical problems.
How Computers Work
The physical computer and its components are known as hardware. Computer hardware includes the memory that stores data and instructions; the central processing unit (CPU) that carries out instructions; the bus that connects the various computer components; the input devices, such as a keyboard or mouse, that allow the user to communicate with the computer; and the output devices, such as printers and video display monitors, that enable the computer to present information to the user. The programs that run the computer are called software. Software generally is designed to perform a particular type of task. It prompts the user for input and commands, reports the ...
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000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, or 111. Each time a bit is added, the number of possible patterns is doubled. Eight bits is called a byte; a byte has 256 possible combinations of 0s and 1s. A byte is a useful quantity in which to store information because it provides enough possible patterns to represent the entire alphabet, in lower and upper cases, as well as numeric digits, punctuation marks, and several character-sized graphics symbols, including non-English characters such as p. A byte also can be interpreted as a pattern that represents a number between 0 and 255. A kilobyte-1000 bytes-can store 1000 characters; a megabyte can store 1 million characters; and a gigabyte ...
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The Computer. (2008, May 26). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Computer/84270
"The Computer." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 26 May. 2008. Web. 23 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Computer/84270>
"The Computer." Essayworld.com. May 26, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Computer/84270.
"The Computer." Essayworld.com. May 26, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Computer/84270.
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