Virtually, almost everybody knows one definition or the other about computer, this is one of the common definitions.
"Computer is an electronic machine that accepts data; processes data; stores data and give data out as information."
I must clarify that despite many people could offer definitions whenever being asked for, there are misconceptions about the true meaning of the concept.
PERSONAL VIEW: Don't always take it the way it was given to you; sometimes try to redefine anything that comes to you in life from your own perspective after seeking for many sources (in series of research). Note that GRAMMAR could be tricky & deceiving.
Going by what computer is, the definition is OK but there is need for further breakdown (synthesis) in order to understand the concept.
Make RESEARCH important keywords from various sources (dictionary, personal definitions, internet,...) :
- Electronic devices/machine
- Data
- Information
The definition contains it [computer] functions (accepting, processing, storing and giving out)
A broader definition of our first definition which doesn't only reveal the functions but goes further by stating what it uses to perform the functions stated that computer is an electronic machine/device that accepts data through the input devices, processes data through the processor (CPU), store data through the storage devices and displays/gives out data as information through the output devices.
[Wiktionary, English 2.4; definition b] A programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve large amounts of data very quickly; now especially, a small one for personal or home use employed for manipulating text or graphics, accessing the Internet, or playing games or media. [from 20th c.]
All these definitions no matter the source (textbook, internet, web, video, image, person dictionary) is just a grammar when the understanding is lacking.
Look intently at these definitions, it could actually be inferred that what we usually referred computer as isn't only it, but computer is anything that "termified"/represent in any of the definitions.
From the observations made from our environment and in making comparison with our definitions, we might actually say that computer is everything (electronic) & everything (electronic) is computer. Typical examples are calculator, photocopy machine, ATM and it card, SIM card, TV set, radio set, camera, *cars, ... & even all our simple and sophiscated phone (especially these era of smartphones) which some of them could even perform better than what we so called "COMPUTER" -i.e laptop and desktop computer. All these examples fits perfectly into the definitions.
We could have equally regarded humans/animals as computer going by the definitions except for not being electronic devices because of the similarities in functions as entailed in the definitions.
ILLUSTRATION: As students, we are taught by our teachers & we are learning from them (ACCEPTING DATA). What we were taught us meant to be committed to our memory/brain (DATA STORAGE) awaiting the time which the knowledge learnt will be requested for in life/exams/test (DATA GIVEN-OUT maybe as raw data or processed into INFORMATION). the questions asked might not be as direct as the knowledge was given/inputed, it might require critical thinking/reasoning for answering such question (DATA PROCESSING).
The illustration above imply that sourced and found it prototype from human/animal nature studies in line with acceptance, processing, storage and given-out data just as
Airplanes is to birds eg. Eagles
Submarine is to fishes and aquatic lifes
Canoe/ships/boat is to duck
and lot more...
All these binding by certain principles which bring about new innovations we are having today and those ones to come on the future.
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