ELI5: computer

high confidence

March 27, 2026

// explanation

// eli5A computer is like a very smart robot that follows instructions really fast [1]. Just like you can tell your toy to do things, you can tell a computer what to do by giving it instructions, and it will do math and make decisions automatically [1]. It's made of different parts that work together, kind of like how your body has a brain, eyes, and hands [6].

// sources

[1]Computer - Wikipedia

A computer is a machine that can be programmed to automatically carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation).

[2]IEEE Computer Society Digital Library

With every issue of Computer, readers can count on an excellent collection of articles, columns, and departments covering the entire field of computing.

[3]Computer Science Teachers Association Connect, Grow, & Share ...

CSTA understands that teaching computer science is hard. That's why we're focused on creating a supportive environment for K–12 educators.

[4]Computers & Tablets - Best Buy

Shop at Best Buy for computers and tablets. Find laptops, desktops, all-in-one computers, monitors, tablets and more.

[5]r/computer - Reddit

r/computer: Have a question about your computer? Have a problem you can't seem to solve? This is the place for you! Ask nicely and a friendly…

[6]Every Computer Component Explained in 3 Minutesvideo

Video by The Paint Explainer