n. 1. (Computers) a computer that represents information by numerical digits with a fixed number of values; -- most commonly each piece of information is internally represented in binary code, as an array of bits, which are information units each of which can take only two values. The possible values of each bit are conventionally represented as the numbers 1 or 0. The bits of information are usually further organized, maniplulated, and discussed as nybbles (4 bits, rarely used), bytes (8 bits, most commonly used), or words (from 16 to 128 bits, and in the future probably more). A word is usually defined as the number of bits that are processed at one time by the central procesor unit.
Syn. -- . [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]