| − | A '''computer''' is a machine that is designed to perform a wide variety of information-processing tasks, depending on the program it has stored in its memory. It processes (computes) everything as mathematical problems, although many non-mathematical functions can be ultimately performed. Digital computers manipulate all data in the form of numbers, and encode all numbers in either [[binary|binary code]], which is base 2, or in the case of quantum computers, ternary code which is base 3. Binary 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. Ternary systems are far more complicated, and still in development. Most computers use binary. | + | A '''computer''' is a [[machine]] that is designed to perform a wide variety of information-processing tasks, depending on the program it has stored in its memory. It processes (computes) everything as mathematical problems, although many non-mathematical functions can be ultimately performed. Digital computers manipulate all data in the form of numbers, and encode all numbers in either [[binary|binary code]], which is base 2, or in the case of quantum computers, ternary code which is base 3. Binary 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. Ternary systems are far more complicated, and still in development. Most computers use binary. |