What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Computer vs Hal - What's the difference?

computer | hal |

As a noun computer

is calculator, computer.

As an abbreviation hal is

(software) hardware abstraction layer.

As a proper noun hal is

(idiomatic|fiction|computing) a homicidal computer, an artificial intelligence that acts similarly to the hal 9000 featured in.

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 ----

    hal

    English

    Proper noun

    (s)
  • A diminutive of the male given names Henry, Harold and Harry.
  • * : Scene 2:
  • I prithee, good Prince Hal , help me to my horse, good king's son.