A computer is a tool used to process data according to procedures that have been formulated. The word computer was originally used to describe the person whose work performed arithmetic calculations, with or without tools, but the meaning of this word was then transferred to the machine itself. Its origin, processing almost exclusive information is related to arithmetic problems, but modern computers are used for many tasks not related to mathematics.
In such a meaning there are tools such as slide rules, types of mechanical calculators ranging from abacus and so on, to all contemporary electronic computers. Better terms suitable for broad meanings such as "computers" are "information processing" or "information processing systems." Over the years there have been several different meanings in the word "computer", and several different words are now referred to as computers.
