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A '''computer''' is a machine that is designed to perform a huge variety of information-processing tasks, depending on the program it has stored in its memory. Computers manipulate all data in the form of numbers, and encode all numbers in [[binary|binary code]], which is base 2. This means that there can only be a 1 or a 0 in any data. This makes it possible to process data electronically, since one voltage can be used to represent a zero and another voltage for a one.
A '''computer''' is a machine that is designed to perform a huge variety of information-processing tasks, depending on the program it has stored in its memory. Computers manipulate all data in the form of numbers, and encode all numbers in [[binary|binary code]], which is base 2. This means that there can only be a 1 or a 0 in any data. This makes it possible to process data electronically, since one voltage can be used to represent a zero and another voltage for a one.
==History==
[[Image:Babbage.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Contemporary (1800's) illustration of what Charles Babbage's Difference Engine might have looked like.]]
[[Image:Babbage.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Contemporary (1800's) illustration of what Charles Babbage's Difference Engine might have looked like.]]
[[File:SSEM Replica.jpg|thumb|left|The Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine is considered the world's first stored-program computer, 1948.]]
[[File:SSEM Replica.jpg|thumb|left|The Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine is considered the world's first stored-program computer, 1948.]]
The first computer comparable to the modern day computer, an electronic calculation machine, was the [[ENIAC]]. Built as a artillery support machine, it was unveiled in early 1946.<ref>http://ftp.arl.army.mil/~mike/comphist/</ref>
The first computer comparable to the modern day computer, an electronic calculation machine, was the [[ENIAC]]. Built as a artillery support machine, it was unveiled in early 1946.<ref>http://ftp.arl.army.mil/~mike/comphist/</ref>
==Kinds==
Computers are divided into four categories. They are: personal computers, mainframe computers, dedicated computers, and embedded computers.
===Personal computers===
Personal computers are ones designed for use by a single user at any given time. These are the common desktop and laptop computers most people use today. Tablet computers could also be included in this general category. Some businesses will include person computers in a client-server network. In this system, the personal computers are used to connect with a main server computer (or in some cases, a server cluster).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>
===Mainframes===
Mainframes were the first kind of computers, and always used to be the fastest option. They had the ability to process much more information at a faster rate than any other kind).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref> However, with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, these have become largely obsolete. Since the modern laptop has more processing power than a mainframe of the 1990s, there is little point for the continued use of them. Mainframes also took up comparatively enormous amount of space, and consumed much more electricity. Some software was designed to run only on mainframes, however, so although largely obsolete, they still have a limited functionality in some areas.
===Dedicated===
Dedicated computers are, as the name suggests, dedicated to a specific function. These can be almost anything from [[Video game]] consoles to a child's handheld toy. These are generally limited in functionality, since they are designed for their single task only.).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>
===Embedded===
Embedded computers are controllers built into the device they control. These are found in digital wrist watches, [[car]]s, landline telephones, and more..).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>
==See Also==
==See Also==