Programs can control switching devices {computer}|. Computers are general symbol manipulator.
parts
Computers have a clock, display or printer, registers, adder-subtractor, controller, and program reader. Registers are for display, operand, accumulator, flag, address, and instructions.
functions
Computers have memory, workspace for results {accumulator}, workspace for instructions {instruction register}, arithmetic functions, functions for moving data to and from memory, and logical functions. Computers {von Neumann machine} can perform serial operations using functions, instructions, and accumulator. Serial von Neumann machines can simulate parallel operations, and vice versa.
Machines can duplicate critical functions, have self-repairing abilities, use distributed processing, have independent modules with limited interactions, and use a hierarchy from low-level functions to one high-level function.
error
Computers can have failures {glitch} with unknown causes, usually in flip-flop circuits. Computers can fail to work {down, computer}.
process
Computers can receive physical stimuli and code, store, retrieve, and transform information {computation} {information processing}. Storing and transferring algorithms have timed steps in sequence, typically with logical branches. Algorithms typically have "IF A, THEN B" statements. Computer determines if A is true and then performs B. Algorithms typically have loops: FOR i FROM m TO n, DO x. If value of i is between m and n, computer performs x. That operation changes i. Then computer checks value of i again. Algorithms perform reasoning, mathematical operations, and language processing. They can output information as scripts, images, lists, or tables.
coding
Digital computers typically store and transfer information as positions that can have one of two states {binary coding}.
Practical Affairs>Machine>Kinds>Electronic>Calculator
7-Machine-Kinds-Electronic-Calculator
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Date Modified: 2022.0224