The word “computer” comes from the word “compute” which means to calculate. So a computer is normally considered to be a calculating device that can perform arithmetic operations at enormous speed.
It is a multipurpose device that accepts inputs, processes data, stores data and produces output, all according to a series of stored instruction.
The electronic computer is the most versatile and efficient machine for processing data. Data refers to symbols that represent facts, objects and ideas.
It has interrelated parts that provide the owner to accept data; to perform prescribed operation, either mathematical or logical; to supply the results of the operation and to keep the produced data or information.
Generally, the word COMPUTER means Commonly Operated Machine Particularly Used for Training Education and Research.
More accurately, a computer may be defined as a device that operates upon information or data. Data can be anything like bio-data of various applicants when the computer is used for recruiting personnel, or the marks obtained by various students in various subjects when the computer is used to prepare results, or the details.
A computers can be used for various functions, eg. word processing, spreadsheets, databases, business accounting, desktop publishing, accessing the internet, sending email, playing games, movies, music, etc.
More precisely computer is an electronic device which works under the instructions of stored programs, automatically accepting the supplied data to analyze and process the data to produce the information called the result or output of that processing.
Computers manipulate data in many ways and this manipulation is called processing. In a computer most processing takes place in a component called the central processing unit.
When computers were developed, it was thought that they would be fast calculating machines. But today most of the work done is of non-numerical in nature like processing the records of students or employees of details of passengers for reservation.
Definition of computer
