Computer
hideA computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a set of instructions.
Although mechanical examples of computers have existed through much of recorded human history, the first electronic computers were developed in the mid-20th century (1940–1945). These were the size of a large room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal computers (PCs). 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. Simple computers are small enough to fit into a wristwatch, and can be powered by a watch battery. Personal computers in their various forms are icons of the Information Age and are what most people think of as "computers". The embedded computers found in many devices from MP3 players to fighter aircraft and from toys to industrial robots are however the most numerous.
The ability to store and execute lists of instructions called programs makes computers extremely versatile, distinguishing them from calculators. The Church–Turing thesis is a mathematical statement of this versatility: any computer with a certain minimum capability is, in principle, capable of performing the same tasks that any other computer can perform. Therefore computers ranging from a mobile phone to a supercomputer are all able to perform the same computational tasks, given enough time and storage capacity.
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News tagged with computer system
Hooks hijacked? New research shows how to block stealthy malware attacks
Technology / Computer Sciences
Nov 03, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (13) |
3
The spread of malicious software, also known as malware or computer viruses, is a growing problem that can lead to crashed computer systems, stolen personal information, and billions of dollars in lost productivity every ...
Embedded systems -- the whole picture
Oct 28, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Embedded computer systems must be fast and efficient. A European consortium has created a new modelling framework that lets designers strike the best balance between static, reconfigurable ...
Computing project combats Blackjack card counting
Technology / Computer Sciences
Oct 11, 2009 |
2.5 / 5 (6) |
5
(PhysOrg.com) -- A University of Dundee graduate has created a computer system with the potential to make the game of Blackjack fairer by detecting card counters and dealer errors.
Next-generation sound systems to minimise background noise
Jul 24, 2009 |
4 / 5 (3) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- The whole listening experience in cars, cinemas, theatres, and even during videoconferences, is likely to improve radically thanks to a new set of tools for application development being assembled ...
Newest system mechanic adds energy boost, more
Jul 23, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
Walk into any convenience store these days and you'll see those little energy booster bottles next to the register, containing a drink that gives you a jolt of power when you really need it and gets you firing on all cylinders. ...
Swede indicted for hacking NASA, Cisco computers
May 06, 2009 |
2 / 5 (1) |
4
A 21-year-old Swede was indicted on charges of hacking into the computer systems of NASA and US networking giant Cisco, the US Justice Department said.
New project aims to boost performance on every chip
Technology / Computer Sciences
Apr 07, 2009 |
2.5 / 5 (2) |
0
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), as part of its Architecture Aware Compiler Environment Program, has awarded Rice University $16 million to develop a new set of tools that can improve the performance ...
New homeland security tool to detect Conficker worm
Mar 30, 2009 |
4 / 5 (6) |
5
The US Department of Homeland Security released a tool on Monday to detect whether a computer is infected by the Conficker worm.
TomTom to pay Microsoft to end patent fight
Mar 30, 2009 |
1.5 / 5 (2) |
0
(AP) -- Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, on Monday said it settled a patent dispute over car navigation technology with TomTom NV for an undisclosed amount.
