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> And having to do with computers, with electronic as synonym. Computers do not have to be electronic. Counterexamples: Mechanical calculators, LEGO logic gate
by nayuki 2y ago
> And having to do with computers, with electronic as synonym.
Computers do not have to be electronic. Counterexamples: Mechanical calculators, LEGO logic gates, hydraulic logic valves, electrical (not electronic) relays. Heck, even human meatbags were called "computers" back in the day.
- theamk 2y agoTechnically correct, but you are being pedantic. It was pretty clear to me that the 3rd sense of "digital" pertains to modern-ish electronic digital computers. I would not call mechanical calculator, human or hydraulic logic "digital computer". (Relay computer is on the fence)
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- amscanne 2y agoYou’re being needlessly pedantic. Obviously, “computers” also has varied meanings. In this case, it is referring to systems built with discrete electronics and ICs. That is, its operation is based almost entirely on the manipulation of electrons and their associated fields. Watches are nice because it’s much less common to have such tiny precise physical machines anymore, since so many of these use cases have been replaced by “computers”.