comp., MS |
computer (Any device capable of processing information to produce a desired result. No matter how large or small they are, computers typically perform their work in three well-defined steps: accepting input, processing the input according to predefined rules (programs), and producing output. There are several ways to categorize computers, including class (ranging from microcomputers to supercomputers), generation (first through fifth generation), and mode of processing (analog versus digital)); computer system (The configuration that includes all functional components of a computer and its associated hardware. A basic microcomputer system includes a console, or system unit, with one or more disk drives, a monitor, and a keyboard. Additional hardware, called peripherals, can include such devices as a printer, a modem, and a mouse. Software is usually not considered part of a computer system, although the operating system that runs the hardware is known as system software); personal computer (A microcomputer designed for use by one person at a time. Personal computers do not need to share the processing, disk, and printer resources of another computer); team (A group of users who share and collaborate on business records in the system. A team can consist of members who report to a single business unit (such as all sales or all customer service) or members who report to different business units (salespeople, customer service representatives, and accounting representatives)) |