German

Noun

Computer m. (genitive Computers, plural Computer)

1. computer

Synonyms

• (computer): Rechner

A 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 netbook to a supercomputer are all able to perform the same computational tasks, given enough time and storage capacity.

A computer is a machine for manipulating data according to a list of instructions. Computers take many forms, from early room-sized complexes to modern personal computers (PCs) and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to tiny embedded systems that add sophisticated capabilities to other devices like toys and appliances.

Contents

• 1 Sourced
  • 1.1 Software
    • 1.1.1 Computer games
    • 1.1.2 Programming
    • 1.1.3 Unix
• 2 Unsourced
• 3 Misattributed
• 4 See also
• 5 External links

Sourced

• Dare to be gorgeous and unique. But don't ever be cryptic or otherwise unfathomable. Make it unforgettably great.
  • Robert J. Mical, Amiga Intuition Reference Manual, 1986, (ISBN 0201110768), p. 231

• Mr. McKitrick, after careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that your defense system sucks.
  • General Beringer (Barry Corbin) in WarGames, unidentified scene

• Trust The Computer. The Computer is your friend.
  • "Computer's Credo", Paranoia

From Wikiquote under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Fri Jan 29 15:40:11 2010