What is a computer?

Computers are everywhere

A computer is a machine that follows instructions to take in information, work on it and give something back. Your phone, a games console, a cash machine and a car's engine controller are all computers.

What makes something a computer?

• It takes input (a touch, a button, a sensor).
• It processes the input by following a program.
• It produces output (a picture, a sound, a movement).
• It can store information for later.

Think about it

Pick three machines at home. For each one, name an input, a process and an output.