How Does a Computer Work?
A computer is an information-processing machine that works by converting all kinds of information into binary numbers (ones and zeros) and then using simple mathematics to make decisions about, or to rearrange, those numbers. There are two things essential to understanding the basics of how a computer works. One is that a computer treats any type of information (not only numbers but also letters, words, dates, and so on) as if it consisted simply of binary ones and zeros. For example, a computer can translate the letter A typed into its keyboard into a string of ones and zeros, such as 1000001. One reason to do this is that once in binary form, the information can be stored and moved about more easily. On a hard disc, the ones could be stored as magnetized spots on the disc, while the zeroes can be stored as unmagnetized spots. Once information has been converted to ones and zeros, the computer can get to work. The second key to understanding how a computer works it to remember that al
