We start with the basic ideas of "numbers" and "counting"
and how the concepts and requirements differ with different levels of
technical and administrative sophistication. This is followed by a brief
summary of the development of calculating devices, to the structure of
the "von Neumann" computer. Finally, we introduce the requirements
of a computer, the importance of memory and an overview of data
storage within that memory.
Keywords: Concept of "number", development of calculation, Babbage analytical engine, Babbage Difference Engine, Colossus, ENIAC,
von Neumann, underlying technology, data in memory.