computer, hardware A machine or electronic circuit designed
to work on numerical data represented by some physical
quantity (e.g. rotation or displacement) or electrical
quantity (e.g. voltage or charge) which varies continuously,
in contrast to
digital signals which are either 0 or 1.
For example, the turning of a wheel or changes in voltage can
be used as input. Analogue computers are said to operate in
real time and are used for research in design where many
different shapes and speeds can be tried out quickly. A
computer model of a car suspension allows the designer to see
the effects of changing size, stiffness and damping.
(1995-05-01)