Computer

A **computer** is a machine that can be instructed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically via computer programming. Modern computers have the ability to follow generalized sets of operations, called *programs.* These programs enable computers to perform an extremely wide range of tasks.

## Overview

Doing math manually is both time-consuming and slow. And there is a substantial chance of miscalculations or errors. With the increasing need for fast and accurate calculations for both industry and military, several nations in the New World have developed devices in order to fulfill that need. However, none of these can compare to the level of computing power of Japan.

## Types

### By architecture

* Analog computer
* Digital computer
* Hybrid computer
* Harvard architecture
* Von Neumann architecture
* Complex instruction set computer
* Reduced instruction set computer

### By size, form-factor and purpose

* Supercomputer
* Mainframe computer
* Minicomputer (term no longer used)
* Server
	+ Rackmount server
	+ Blade server
	+ Tower server
* Personal computer
	+ Workstation
	+ Microcomputer (term no longer used)
		- Home computer
	+ Desktop computer
		- Tower desktop
		- Slimline desktop
			* Multimedia computer (non-linear editing system computers, video editing PCs and the like)
			* Gaming computer
		- All-in-one PC
		- Nettop (Small form factor PCs, Mini PCs)
		- Home theater PC
		- Keyboard computer
		- Portable computer
		- Thin client
		- Internet appliance
	+ Laptop
		- Desktop replacement computer
		- Gaming laptop
		- Rugged laptop
		- 2-in-1 PC
		- Ultrabook
		- Chromebook
		- Subnotebook
		- Netbook
* Mobile computers:
	+ Tablet computer
	+ Smartphone
	+ Ultra-mobile PC
	+ Pocket PC
	+ Palmtop PC
	+ Handheld PC
* Wearable computer
	+ Smartwatch
	+ Smartglasses
* Single-board computer
* Plug computer
* Stick PC
* Programmable logic controller
* Computer-on-module
* System on module
* System in a package
* System-on-chip (Also known as an Application Processor or AP if it lacks circuitry such as radio circuitry)
* Microcontroller

## Computers in the New World

### Third Civilization Area and Outside Civilized Areas

Counting crops and supplies, plus calculating their market value is essential in this region. Due to the low level of technology, economists and accountants must do their math manually, with primitive methods such as writing down formulas, counting on their fingers, and using abacus-style devices to keep track of numbers. Using these methods of calculation is limited in terms of the military as gunners must estimate projectile trajectories, judge distance and keep track of arsenal inventories. Furthermore, since the literacy rate is low, a very large proportion of the general populations can neither read nor do basic arithmetic.

### Second Civilization Area

Nations such as Mu, lack the ability to perform magic, and therefore must rely on science. As a result, the average citizen is fairly educated in arithmetic and understand basic scientific principles. Computing is done mechanically, such as using a slide-rule. With this method, Mu engineers were able to construct machines such as the steam engine, the internal combustion engine and working propeller-driven aircraft. However, as the need for industry and military science grows, their methods of calculation cannot keep up. As a result, Mu's technological advancement begins to slow to a crawl.

Since the engineers of Mu do not presently understand the key fundamentals of Japan's computers, they have yet to see the full scope of possibilities that they could apply them to. To a Mu engineer or scientist, they only see electricity as a power source, not as a way to transmit data.

During the New World War, Mu began using this increase in calculation power by using a second-hand laptop from Japan, as their main computer core for their radar systems. As a result, radar range was fundamentally increased as well as ECM ability. Though they still don't know how a computer works nor how to build one, Mu now understands the potential applications of a computer.

### Gra Valkas Empire

For the Gra Valkas Empire, they have taken the next step in technological evolution with the invention of the Vacuum Tube. As a result, they are able to perform calculations faster due to using electrical current to transmit signals and data. They do have what is considered as the early form of modern computers, such as the ENIAC and UNIVAC. However, due to the limitations of vacuum tubes, computers are bulky, noisy and take up the space of a room or even the floor of a building. Furthermore, though these machines can perform calculations faster than a person could, the number of calculations they can perform at any given time is limited, and they cannot perform multiple types of calculations at the same time.

Due to the mindset of the Gra Valkas, the technology is slow to develop as they believe they cannot go any further than the vacuum tube. As a result, they still cannot compete with Japan and their lightspeed-fast computers. During their negotiations with Asada Taiji, both Cielia and Dallas were flabbergasted at the OLED monitor and SD Card, (laptop in the Light Novel).

### First Civilization Area

Like all their other magical technology, the Holy Milishial Empire has both forward and backward thinking, when it comes to computing. Since they rely on reverse-engineering the relics of the Ravernal Empire, the Milishial engineers and scientists do not understand many basic scientific concepts, nor the math involved. When first visiting Japan, the ambassadors tried to impress the Japanese with a bulky calculating device, only to be greatly embarrassed when the Japanese ambassador pulled out his smartphone and showed him the calculator app.

### Japan

Japan's computers are without a doubt, the most advanced in the New World, as their technology hails from the early 21st century. As they had stated, their Supercomputers are already capable of doing quadrillions of calculations per second. Everything about their technology is either based on computers or designed by them, and computers had a very important role in modern warfare