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Computer vs Automation - What's the difference?

computer | automation |

As nouns the difference between computer and automation

is that computer is (now|rare|chiefly|historical) a person employed to perform computations; one who computes while automation is the act or process of converting the controlling of a machine or device to a more automatic system, such as computer or electronic controls.

computer

Noun

(en noun)
  • (now, rare, chiefly, historical) A person employed to perform computations; one who computes.
  • * 1927 , J. B. S. Haldane, Possible Worlds and Other Essays , page 173
  • Only a few years ago Mr. Powers, an American computer , disproved a hypothesis about prime numbers which had held the field for more than 250 years.
  • * 2003 , (Bill Bryson), A Short History of Nearly Everything , BCA, page 116:
  • One Harvard computer , Annie Jump Cannon, used her repetitive acquaintance with the stars to devise a system of stellar classifications so practical that it is still in use today.
  • by restriction, a male computer, where the female computer is called a computress
  • A programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve large amounts of data very quickly; now especially, a small one for personal or home use employed for manipulating text or graphics, accessing the Internet, or playing games or media.
  • Synonyms

    * (programmable device that performs logical operations) automatic data processing machine, processor, 'puter (informal), box (slang), machine, calculator, portable computer, laptop * See also

    Hyponyms

    * (programmable device that performs logical operations) desktop, laptop * (a person employed to perform computations) computress (f)

    Antonyms

    * (a person employed to perform computations) computress (f) (when "computer" is used to represent the masculine form)

    Derived terms

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    See also

    * chip * data processing * desktop * hardware * laptop * mainframe * microprocessor 1000 English basic words ----

    automation

    Noun

    (-)
  • The act or process of converting the controlling of a machine or device to a more automatic system, such as computer or electronic controls.
  • * 2012 October 23, David Leonhardt, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/us/politics/race-for-president-leaves-income-slump-in-shadows.html?_r=1&hp]," New York Times (retrieved 24 October 2012):
  • The presidential campaign has been more focused on Bain Capital and an “apology tour” than on the challenges created by globalization and automation .