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A computer is a programmable machine that receives input, stores and manipulates data // information , and provides output in a useful format. While a computer can, in theory, be made out of almost anything (see misconceptions section), and mechanical examples of computers have existed

The history of computing hardware is the record of the constant drive to make computer hardware faster, cheaper, and store more data. Before the development of the general-purpose computer , most calculations were done by humans. Tools to help humans calculate were then called "calculating

The central processing unit ( CPU ) or the processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program , and is the primary element carrying out the computer 's functions. It is the unit that reads and executes program instructions . The data in

Initially focusing on the small-end of the computer market allowed DEC (pronounced "deck") to grow without its potential competitors noticing, or caring enough to make serious efforts to compete with them. Their PDP series of machines became runaway best-sellers in the 1960s, especially the

clusters , MPPs , and grids use multiple computers to work on the same task. Specialized parallel computer architectures are sometimes used alongside traditional processors, for accelerating specific tasks. Parallel computer programs are more difficult to write than sequential ones, [

IBM has been well known through most of its recent history as one of the world's largest computer companies and systems integrators. [ 2 ] With over 388,000 employees worldwide, IBM is one of the largest and most profitable information technology employers in the world. IBM holds more patents