Abstract: | Computers have become an integral part of our lives and society; however, many people see them as being remote and difficult to understand. This article presents a brief introduction to computers and computing in an attempt to alleviate this concern. The topics discussed include the organization and hardware of computers (memory, central processor, input and output devices), data representation, computer software and programming languages, differences between computers (mainframes, minis, and micros), and computer communication and networking. |