data processor

data processor

n.

1. A device, such as a calculator or computer, that performs operations on data.

2. A person who processes data.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

data processor - a machine for performing calculations automatically computer, computing device, computing machine, electronic computer, information processing system interconnection - (computer science) the act of interconnecting (wires or computers or theories etc.) analog computer, analogue computer - a computer that represents information by variable quantities (e.g., positions or voltages) busbar, bus - an electrical conductor that makes a common connection between several circuits; "the busbar in this computer can transmit data either way between any two components of the system" cathode-ray tube, CRT - a vacuum tube in which a hot cathode emits a beam of electrons that pass through a high voltage anode and are focused or deflected before hitting a phosphorescent screen C.P.U., central processing unit, central processor, CPU, mainframe, processor - (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing; "the CPU and the memory form the central part of a computer to which the peripherals are attached" micro chip, microchip, microprocessor chip, silicon chip, chip - electronic equipment consisting of a small crystal of a silicon semiconductor fabricated to carry out a number of electronic functions in an integrated circuit computer accessory - an accessory for a computer; "when you add in all the computer accessories you are going to need the computer gets pretty expensive" computer circuit - a circuit that is part of a computer console - a scientific instrument consisting of displays and an input device that an operator can use to monitor and control a system (especially a computer system) data converter - converter for changing information from one code to another digital computer - a computer that represents information by numerical (binary) digits disk cache - a cache that stores copies of frequently used disk sectors in random access memory (RAM) so they can be read without accessing the slower disk diskette, floppy, floppy disk - a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer; "floppy disks are noted for their relatively slow speed and small capacity and low price" faceplate - a protective covering for the front of a machine or device (as a door lock or computer component) computer hardware, hardware - (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system home computer - a computer intended for use in the home keyboard - device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer or the like machine - any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks computer memory, computer storage, memory board, store, memory, storage - an electronic memory device; "a memory and the CPU form the central part of a computer to which peripherals are attached" module - computer circuit consisting of an assembly of electronic components (as of computer hardware) monitoring device, monitor - display produced by a device that takes signals and displays them on a television screen or a computer monitor client, guest, node - (computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network number cruncher - a computer capable of performing a large number of mathematical operations per second pari-mutuel machine, totalisator, totaliser, totalizator, totalizer - computer that registers bets and divides the total amount bet among those who won computer peripheral, peripheral, peripheral device - (computer science) electronic equipment connected by cable to the CPU of a computer; "disk drives and printers are important peripherals" platform - the combination of a particular computer and a particular operating system plotter - an instrument (usually driven by a computer) for drawing graphs or pictures predictor - a computer for controlling antiaircraft fire that computes the position of an aircraft at the instant of a shell's arrival scratchpad - (computer science) a high-speed internal memory used for temporary storage of preliminary information server, host - (computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network expansion slot, slot - (computer) a socket in a microcomputer that will accept a plug-in circuit board; "the PC had three slots for additional memory"