digital computer

digital computer
    n 1: a computer that represents information by numerical
         (binary) digits
    

Computer \Com*put"er\ (k[o^]m*p[=u]t"[~e]r), n.
   1. One who computes.

   2. (Computers) an electronic device for performing
      calculations automatically. It consists of a clock to
      provide voltage pulses to synchronize the operations of
      the devices within the computer, a central processing
      unit, where the arithmetical and logical operations are
      performed on data, a random-access memory, where the
      programs and data are stored for rapid access, devices to
      input data and output results, and various other
      peripheral devices of widely varied function, as well as
      circuitry to support the main operations.

   Note: This modern sense of computer comprises the
         stored-program computers, in which multiple steps in a
         calculation may be stored within the computer itself as
         {instructions} in a {program}, and are then executed by
         the computer without further intervention of the
         operator. Different types of computer are variously
         called {analog computer}, {number cruncher,
         number-cruncher}, {digital computer}, and {pari-mutuel
         machine, totalizer, totaliser, totalizator,
         totalisator}.

   Syn: data processor, electronic computer, information
        processing system.
        [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

   3. (Computers) same as {digital computer}.
      [PJC]
    

digital computer \digital computer\ n.
   1. (Computers) a computer that represents information by
      numerical digits with a fixed number of values; -- most
      commonly each piece of information is internally
      represented in binary code, as an array of {bits}, which
      are information units each of which can take only two
      values. The possible values of each {bit} are
      conventionally represented as the numbers 1 or 0.

   Note: The bits of information are usually further organized,
         maniplulated, and discussed as {nybbles} (4 bits,
         rarely used), {bytes} (8 bits, most commonly used), or
         {words} (from 16 to 128 bits, and in the future
         probably more). A {word} is usually defined as the
         number of bits that are processed at one time by the
         central procesor unit.

   Syn: .
        [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
    

digital computer

   <computer> A {computer} that represents numbers and other data
   using discrete internal states, in contrast to the
   continuously varying quantities used in an {analog computer}.

   Some of the fundamental ideas behind the digital computer were
   proposed by {Alan Turing} between 1936 and 1938.  The design
   of the {Atanasoff-Berry Computer} (1937-1942) included some of
   the important implementation details but the first digital
   computer to successfully run real programs was the {Z3}
   (1941).  {ENIAC} (1943-1946) was the first electronic digital
   computer but was only programmable by manual rewiring or
   switches.

   (2003-10-01)