Introduction to

Key Terms
Computer: is an electronic device which accepts 
input, processes the input and produces output 
of a certain kind.
Computer Science: the study of computers 
and computational systems.
Hardware: is the physical components of a 
computer system.
Software: is a general term for the various 
programs used to operate a computer system.
Register: small memory units used to store 
intermediary results. 
Networking: the interconnection of two or 
more computers.
Internet: the network of networks.

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Introduction To Computer Science
22
Learning Activity: What is a Computer? Characteristics of 
Computers, Types of Computers
1. What is a Computer?
A Computer is an electronic device that accepts data, performs computations, and makes 
logical decisions according to instructions that have been given to it; then produces 
meaningful information in a form that is useful to humans. The name computer is derived from 
a Latin word Computer, which has a meaning of, “to compute”.
Characteristics of Computers
The characteristics of a computer show the capability and the potential of the computer for 
processing data. This saves time, space, money, labors etc. And they answer the questions like 
why computers are used and why have they become so popular? The following are items that 
characterize a computer[1]:
• 
SPEED: 
In general, no human being or any other device can compete to solve 
complex computation, faster than computer.
• 
ACCURACY: 
Since the Computer is programmed, so whatever input we give it, 
it gives result with high degree of accuracy. In other words, it does computation 
with high precision.
•