A computer is an electronic device that can manipulate data through flexible processing. It derives its name from its ability to compute or calculate numbers. A computer system requires both hardware and software to function, with the hardware being the physical components and the software providing the instructions. It processes different types of data, like text, numbers, images and video, and can connect to other computers through the internet. Proper procedures and instructions are needed to operate the hardware, software and data components of a computer system.