Computer / Legends A computer was a ubiquitous piece of hardware utilized in a multitude of applications throughout the galaxy , from droids to starfighters to datapads . A computer consisted of an input system , a processor to accomplish tasks , and an output to relay information or commands . A computer generally used complex mathematics to run varying protocols , such as numerical calculations , synchronous communication ( with encryption ) , sensor interpretation and coordination , even the complex systems of artificial life - forms , such as droids , built around an artificial intelligence . The complete details of computer systems , sub - routines , computing languages and processing functionality are probably too manifold to specify in a comprehensible fashion . However , the clear purpose and usage of computer systems throughout the galaxy can be enumerated and commented on at length . A minicomputer referred to a smaller version of a computer . Data . Personal computing . In everyday life throughout the galaxy , sentients of all types used computers to work more efficiently , store and retrieve information and communicate extensively . A commonly used device was a datapad , the computing capacity of a datapad allowed for it to interface with other computer systems , at times analyze surroundings through sensors , even play holo - recordings for informational or entertainment purposes . These personal computing devices could serve as mobile workstations to access and maintain facility and starship systems through wireless and hard - wired connections . The systems within personal starships were all coordinated and integrated through computers . The Navigation computer , also known as a " navicomputer " , is a prime example . The Hyperdrive and navigational systems needed to communicate in order for travel in Hyperspace to be possible . At the heart of this communication was the Navicomputer , a computing device that factored the location of the given starship , desired destination , and intended travel route through Hyperspace in order to determine a safe route for the starcraft . This required the accessing and processing of starcharts , interpretation of sensor data from the ship ' s own sensors , communication with the systems of the Hyperdrive and its various failsafes as well as diagnostics of every involved system . The Ship ' s computer handles all of these tasks with near instantaneous results and an incredibly high rate of success and efficacy . Numerous facilities and affiliations maintain and use computer systems for informational and organizational purposes . The Jedi Order maintained an information archive , in effect a massive encyclopedic computer system for data storage and access . A communication system built around computers with a beacon to alert traveling Jedi to recent events was used . A Holo - security recording system was run via computers on the Jedi Temple premises . These are just some of the applications of computers known throughout the galaxy . Droids . Droids were humanoid frames , made of various materials , that were loaded with artificial intelligence units . The materials varied by the droids designed use . Different droids were loaded with different AI ' s and programs , which were classified under one of five classes . Class one droids dealt with medicine , mathematics , and physical sciences . Class two droids dealt with engineering tasks , environmental work , and repairing starships . Class three droids interacted with organic beings in tasks dealing with protocol , tutoring , and child care . Class four droids included security droids and assassin droids . Class five droids were for basic labor . Astromech droids were loaded with navigational , repair , and ship design computer programs that allowed them to preform these tasks . While Protocol droid AI units were loaded with Language , Diplomatic , and other Computer programs . Medical droids contained programs that dealt with medications , surgical procedures , biology , and other medical protocols . Astromech droids such as R2 - D2 and T3 - M4 were very talented at slicing . R2 was able to open virtually any door , which has saved many lives . R2 was able to open the doors on the shield base on Endor , allowing the Death Star to be destroyed . As well as opening the doors on Bespin , to try and reach Han Solo and Boba Fett . Starships . Among computers , some were made for specific tasks , such as Navigation computer ' s or nav computers . These computers were specialized processing units used to calculate hyperspace and realspace jumps , trajectories , and routes . These computers plotted routes based on received drift charts and other navigational data based on the data received from the ship sensor array . The Millennium Falcon was equipped with a Fabritech ANq - 51 sensor array computer . This sensor allowed the Millennium Falcon to scan up to 500 , 000 Kilometers for ships and other objects . Sensor arrays have a long - range sensor device , to scan around the ship ; a computer to read the sensor data ; and a display to show the data . There are many different types of sensors : Passive - mode sensors , which gather immediate area data ; Scan - mode ( Active sensors ) , which collect long - range data ; Search - mode sensors , which scan specific areas ; and Focus - mode sensors , which scan small areas with great accuracy . Full - spectrum ( universal sensors ) have multiple scanners that scan in different ranges and modes to detect nearly all objects , emissions , or energy fields . Electrophoto receptors ( EPR ' s ) are short - range visual scanners combining infrared , ultraviolet , and standard ranges to gather information . These scanners can focus on emissions left by engines , heat , comm transmissions , and weapons . Most scanners can also detect organics , gravitational anomalies , and disturbances in hyperspace All of these sensors are controlled and monitored by the ship computer , which sends the data to the operator through text or graphics on a data screen . Slicers and hackers . Where there were computers , there were safeguards . Passwords , retinal scanners , fingerprint scanners , and voice - recognition were among these . These safeguards were programs that protected a persons personal data and unauthorized use of the computer , but programs could be made to find glitches , introduce viruses , spy - ware , and ways to get around those safeguards . The people that dealt with these illegal programs were called slicers . Slicers used computer programs that were usually self - made to find the glitches and loop - holes , as well as slicing by hand . Slicing by hand took very detailed knowledge of computers and skill to hack using sheer knowledge of code to cheat around security and find passwords through information around them . Some companies made anti - security devices to hack through security , such as the Anti - register device . Slicers used their computer and hacking skills to cheat people out of money in their bank accounts , steal personal information to obtain profit , and access information that is restricted . Even though it was illegal , many criminals indulged into the role of slicing . Republic clone commando units were taught to slice into computers blocking their path or to get information needed to complete their mission for the good of the Republic . Though Jaing , a Null - class Advanced Recon Commando created and introduced a virus into thousands of banks , that siphoned off very small amounts of credits out of millions of bank accounts , which led to him gaining billions of credits . Anti - Security devices . Anti - Security devices were created to break security without needing to hand slice , or making programs to slice . Several known Anti - Security devices include : An Anti - register device was a tool that enabled the user to crack into any - print reliable security system , thought the only one known was destroyed on Phindar during its liberation . An Electronic Lock Breaker was an anti - security device that could override alarms and open most computerized locks and were carried by most slicers , criminals , espionage agents , bounty hunters , and thieves . A Slicer Chip was a miniaturized electronic lock breaker that was specifically modified to hack into computers , droids , and automated devices . A Universal Jammer was a sensor countermeasure device the was able to foil most common scanners , and were extremely expensive . Usage . During the early stages of the Galactic Civil War , a passenger attempted to bring a tablet computer along for a ride . However , it ended up deleted by the baggage check droid , G2 - 9T , after some miscommunication with Spaceport THX1138 ' s main computer regarding what the object was . Behind the scenes . Computers were a type of technology present in both the Star Wars franchise and in real life . The tablet computer that G2 - 9T accidentally destroyed was a MacBook .