For other uses, see Computer (disambiguation). "Computer technology" redirects here.

For the company, see Computer Technology L imited. "Computer system" redirects here. For other uses, see Computer system (disambigu ation). Page semi-protected Computer Acer Aspire 8920 Gemstone by Georgy.JPGColumbia Supercomputer - NASA Advanced Su percomputing Facility.jpgIntertec Superbrain.jpg 2010-01-26-technikkrempel-by-RalfR-05.jpgThinking Machines Connection Machine CM -5 Frostburg 2.jpgG5 supplying Wikipedia via Gigabit at the Lange Nacht der Wiss enschaften 2006 in Dresden.JPG DM IBM S360.jpgAcorn BBC Master Series Microcomputer.jpgDell PowerEdge Servers.j pg A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a fin ite set of arithmetic or logical operations. Since a sequence of operations can be readily changed, the computer can solve more than one kind of problem. Conventionally, a computer consists of at least one processing element, typicall y a central processing unit (CPU) and some form of memory. The processing elemen t carries out arithmetic and logic operations, and a sequencing and control unit that can change the order of operations based on stored information. Peripheral devices allow information to be retrieved from an external source, and the resu lt of operations saved and retrieved. The first electronic digital computers were developed between 1940 and 1945 in t he United Kingdom and United States. Originally they were the size of a large ro om, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal computers (PCs).[ 1] In this era mechanical analog computers were used for military applications. Modern computers based on integrated circuits are millions to billions of times more capable than the early machines, and occupy a fraction of the space.[2] Sim ple computers are small enough to fit into mobile devices, and mobile computers can be powered by small batteries. Personal computers in their various forms are icons of the Information Age and are what most people think of as "computers". However, the embedded computers found in many devices from MP3 players to fighte r aircraft and from toys to industrial robots are the most numerous. Contents 1 History of computing 1.1 Limited-function early computers 1.2 First general-purpose computers 1.3 Stored-program architecture 1.4 Semiconductors and microprocessors 2 Programs 2.1 Stored program architecture 2.2 Bugs 2.3 Machine code 2.4 Programming language 2.4.1 Low-level languages 2.4.2 Higher-level languages 2.5 Program design 3 Components 3.1 Control unit 3.2 Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 3.3 Memory 3.4 Input/output (I/O) 3.5 Multitasking 3.6 Multiprocessing

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3.7 Networking and the Internet 3.8 Computer architecture paradigms Misconceptions 4.1 Required technology Further topics 5.1 Artificial intelligence 5.2 Hardware 5.2.1 History of computing hardware 5.2.2 Other hardware topics 5.3 Software 5.4 Languages 5.5 Professions and organizations See also Notes References External links

History of computing The Jacquard loom, on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Mancheste r, England, was one of the first programmable devices. Main article: History of computing hardware The first use of the word "computer" was recorded in 1613 in a book called "The yong mans gleanings" by English writer Richard Braithwait I haue read the truest computer of Times, and the best Arithmetician that euer breathed, and he reduce