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  1. Computer | Definition, History, Operating Systems, & Facts | Britannica

    Feb 6, 2026 · A computer is a programmable device for processing, storing, and displaying information. Learn more in this article about modern digital electronic computers and their design, constituent …

  2. Computer - Technology, Invention, History | Britannica

    Feb 6, 2026 · Computer - Technology, Invention, History: By the second decade of the 19th century, a number of ideas necessary for the invention of the computer were in the air.

  3. What is a computer? | Britannica

    A computer is a machine that can store and process information. Most computers rely on a binary system, which uses two variables, 0 and 1, to complete tasks such as storing data, calculating …

  4. Computer - History, Technology, Innovation | Britannica

    Feb 6, 2026 · It is not too great a stretch to say that, in the Jacquard loom, programming was invented before the computer. The close relationship between the device and the program became apparent …

  5. computer summary | Britannica

    Computer, device for processing, storing, and displaying information. Computer once meant a person who did computations, but now the term almost universally refers to automated electronic machinery.

  6. Computer - Home Use, Microprocessors, Software | Britannica

    Feb 6, 2026 · Computer - Home Use, Microprocessors, Software: Before 1970, computers were big machines requiring thousands of separate transistors. They were operated by specialized …

  7. list of notable computer viruses and malware - Encyclopedia Britannica

    Malware (a portmanteau of the terms malicious and software) consists of computer viruses, spyware, computer worms, and other software capable of stealing devices’ data or running harmful code.

  8. Personal computer (PC) | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica

    personal computer (PC), a digital computer designed for use by only one person at a time.

  9. Computer science | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica

    Jan 23, 2026 · Computer science is the study of computers and computing, including their theoretical and algorithmic foundations, hardware and software, and their uses for processing information.

  10. Computer worm | Malware, Cybersecurity & Networking | Britannica

    Feb 4, 2026 · Malware typically infects a personal computer (PC) through e-mail, Web sites, or attached hardware devices. Mobile malware, including spyware and ransomware, attacks smartphones and …