digital computer
Electronic calculating machine
A digital computer is a machine that processes information represented as discrete numerical values—digits—rather than continuous quantities.
This distinguishes it from analog computers, which work with smoothly varying physical quantities like voltage or position.
Nearly all modern computers are digital: smartphones, laptops, servers.
The term now appears mainly in technical or historical contexts, since "computer" alone implies digital.
First general-purpose electronic computer
- mainframeLarge centralized computer system
- minicomputerMedium-scale computing machine
- vacuum tubeEvacuated electronic amplifier
- punch cardData storage via perforations
magnetic tape · Turing · UNIVAC · Babbage · transistorization · microcomputer · IBM · Apple
Small amount or portion
- byteDigital information unit
- logic gateBinary operation circuit
- flip-flopSudden change of position
- truth tableChart of logical possibilities
AND · OR · XOR · NAND · binary code · ones and zeros · machine code · register
Main computing chip
- motherboardComputer's primary circuit platform
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- processorComponent that executes instructions
- graphics cardVisual processing hardware
hard drive · SSD · monitor · keyboard · mouse · power supply · cooling system · USB
Miniature semiconductor processor
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- integrated circuitMiniaturized semiconductor electronics package
microprocessor · chipset · capacitor · resistor · diode · wafer · die · nanometer
Machines mimicking human thought
- machine learningAlgorithms that improve from data
- neural networkInterconnected computational nodes mimicking cognition
- deep learningLayered neural network methods
- natural language processingComputational analysis of speech
pattern recognition · algorithm · training data · model · chatbot · expert system · automation · prediction
ENIAC
First general-purpose electronic computer
- mainframeLarge centralized computer system
- minicomputerMedium-scale computing machine
- vacuum tubeEvacuated electronic amplifier
punch card · magnetic tape · Turing · UNIVAC · Babbage · transistorization · microcomputer · IBM · Apple · DOS
bit
Small amount or portion
- byteDigital information unit
- logic gateBinary operation circuit
- flip-flopSudden change of position
truth table · AND · OR · XOR · NAND · binary code · ones and zeros · machine code · register · two-state
CPU
Main computing chip
- motherboardComputer's primary circuit platform
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- processorComponent that executes instructions
graphics card · hard drive · SSD · monitor · keyboard · mouse · power supply · cooling system · USB · ethernet
microchip
Miniature semiconductor processor
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
integrated circuit · microprocessor · chipset · capacitor · resistor · diode · wafer · die · nanometer · fabrication
artificial intelligence
Machines mimicking human thought
- machine learningAlgorithms that improve from data
- neural networkInterconnected computational nodes mimicking cognition
- deep learningLayered neural network methods
natural language processing · pattern recognition · algorithm · training data · model · chatbot · expert system · automation · prediction · classification
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
execute · function · variable · loop · conditional · syntax · class · object · method · library
- computerscomputers, desktop, desktops, laptop, laptops
- calculating machinescalculator, adding machine, difference engine, abacus, desk calculator
- WWII inventionsradar, jeep, penicillin, atomic bomb, V-2 rocket
- fire controltracking system, range finder, rangefinder, target acquisition, deflection
digital computerabacus
Bead-and-wire arithmetic tool
slide rule · tally sticks · adding machine · pencil and paper · mental arithmetic
digital, computer, digit, digits, digitize, digitized, digitizing, digitization, digitally