Computer

technology · machines · everyday tech

Super-fast math. At its heart, a computer is a machine that does arithmetic and logic operations automatically, again and again at incredible speeds.

It follows programs. Computers run sets of instructions called programs, which is how the same machine can play games, write essays, or browse the web.

Hardware plus software. A complete computer system needs both the physical parts (hardware) and the instructions (software and operating system) to work together.

Teaming up. Computers can be linked together in networks or clusters so they can share work and function as one bigger system.