Technology

Clockwork radio (wind-up radio): mechanism, history and uses Clockwork radio A clockwork or wind-up radio uses stored mechanical energy to generate electricity for audio reception. This article explains how it works, its history, common designs, uses, and a…

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) Closed-circuit television Closed-circuit television (CCTV) uses video cameras to monitor defined locations via dedicated transmission or networks. It serves security, traffic, industrial monitoring and rese…

Clothes dryer (tumble dryer): types, operation, and maintenance Clothes dryer Comprehensive overview of clothes dryers: operation, main components, vented and ventless types (condensing, heat pump), installation, maintenance, safety, troubleshooting and envi…

Clove hitch — a simple hitch knot: tying, uses, and precautions Clove hitch The clove hitch is a simple, versatile hitch knot used to attach a rope to a post, spar, or another rope. This article explains how to tie it, its strengths and weaknesses, common…

Cluster (computing) A computing cluster is a set of linked computers that collaborate to act as a single system, improving performance, scalability or availability for tasks ranging from scientific si…

Coaxial cable: design, history, types, and common uses Coaxial cable Coaxial cable is a shielded transmission line used for radio‑frequency and broadband signals. This article explains its structure, common types and connectors, historical developme…

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) COBOL COBOL is a high-level programming language created for business data processing. It emphasizes readable English-like syntax, record and file handling, and remains in use for legacy…

Cochlear implant A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to people with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss by directly stimulating t…

ColecoVision — early 1980s home video game console ColecoVision ColecoVision, released in 1982, was a second‑generation home video game console noted for arcade-style ports, modular expansion (including Atari 2600 compatibility) and distinctive…

Collision detection: principles, methods, and applications Collision detection Overview of collision detection: what it is, common algorithms and data structures, implementation trade-offs, history, and applications in games, robotics, simulation, and enginee…

Colossus computer: Britain’s wartime programmable electronic cryptanalytic machine Colossus computer Colossus was an early programmable electronic digital computer developed at Bletchley Park to help decrypt German Tunny teleprinter traffic during World War II; its design remained…

Comb (handheld grooming and fiber tool) Comb A comb is a handheld implement with a row of teeth used to detangle, style, and clean hair and to align fibers for spinning. This article explains design, history, materials, types…

Combination lock: mechanisms, types, history, and security considerations Combination lock A combination lock uses a sequence of numbers or symbols instead of a key. This article explains how they work, common types, historical development, typical uses, and security ben…

Combine harvester A combine harvester is a machine that cuts, threshes, and cleans cereal crops in a single operation; this article explains its parts, operation, history, uses, and modern variation…

Combustor (combustion chamber) — function, types, and applications Combustor A combustor is the chamber in which fuel and air burn inside engines such as gas turbines, ramjets and scramjets. This article explains design, operation, variants, history, and us…

Command-line interface A text-based method for controlling software and operating systems by typing commands. Widely used for scripting, administration, development, and automation.

Commodore 64: influential 8-bit home computer and cultural phenomenon Commodore 64 The Commodore 64 is a bestselling 8-bit home computer introduced in 1982 by Commodore International. Noted for its affordability, graphics and sound chips, and vast software librar…

Commodore 64 Games System (C64GS) Commodore 64 Games System The C64GS was a cartridge-based games console derived from the Commodore 64, launched in December 1990. It lacked a keyboard, had few cartridges, and failed commercially, becoming…

Commodore BASIC: the built-in BASIC interpreter of Commodore 8‑bit computers Commodore BASIC Commodore BASIC is the ROM-based dialect of Microsoft BASIC used across Commodore's 8-bit home computers from the PET through the C128. It powered hobbyist programming, games, and…

Commodore VIC-20: early home computer and mass-market pioneer Commodore VIC-20 The Commodore VIC-20, introduced in 1980, was an affordable home computer notable for simple color graphics, built-in BASIC, modest memory and being the first model to exceed one m…

Common Desktop Environment (CDE) Common Desktop Environment Common Desktop Environment (CDE) is a traditional Unix graphical desktop built on the Motif toolkit, widely used on commercial Unix systems and later released as open-source softwa…

Compact Disc (CD): structure, formats, history and uses Compact disc Compact Disc (CD): a recordable or read-only optical disc format introduced in the early 1980s for digital audio and data storage; includes physical structure, formats, and legacy.

Compact disc player A device that reads audio stored on a compact disc and converts digital data into audible sound using an optical pickup, digital decoding and analog conversion.

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL): design, history, uses and environmental notes Compact fluorescent lamp An overview of compact fluorescent lamps: how they work, components, advantages and drawbacks, history, common applications, and safe disposal considerations.

CompactFlash (CF) — Removable storage standard for cameras and embedded systems CompactFlash Overview of the CompactFlash card format: physical types, interface, performance, common uses, compatibility and its role compared with newer card families.

Compass — magnetic navigation instrument and its uses Compass An overview of the compass: how magnetic compasses work, historical origins, common designs and types, practical uses in navigation and surveying, and their limitations.

Compiler (computer program) Compiler A compiler is software that translates source code from one programming language into another (often machine code or an intermediate form). This article explains its parts, history…

Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) Complex instruction set computer A CPU design approach where single machine instructions can perform multiple low-level operations. CISC contrasts with RISC and has evolved into modern hybrids used in many general…

Compressor A compressor is a device or process that increases pressure or reduces dynamic range; common meanings include gas compressors (mechanical), audio compressors (signal processors), a…

Computed tomography (CT) scanner Computed tomography scanner A medical imaging device that uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images for diagnosis and treatment planning; covers technology, history, clinical uses, advantages, and limitati…

Computer: electronic device for processing information Computer A computer is an electronic machine that receives, processes, stores, and outputs information. This article summarizes its parts, how data is represented, history, uses, and notabl…

Computer bus A computer bus is the internal communication pathway that carries data, control signals and power among a system’s components. Covers types, characteristics, history, and examples…

Computer data storage: types, hierarchy, technologies and uses Computer data storage Overview of computer data storage: hierarchy (primary, secondary, tertiary), physical media (RAM, SSD, HDD, tape, optical), characteristics (latency, capacity, volatility), history…

Computer file: organization, formats, storage, and common uses Computer file Overview of computer files: what they are, common types and formats, how they are stored and accessed, and their everyday and technical roles.

Computer hardware: components, history, and practical overview Computer hardware An accessible guide to computer hardware: core components, how they interact with software, historical development, common uses, and practical distinctions for users and builders.

Computer icon A computer icon is a small graphical symbol used in user interfaces to represent programs, files, folders, actions or status; formats, design principles and uses have evolved for d…

Computer jargon: meaning, history, categories and how to learn it Computer jargon A practical guide to computer jargon: what it is, common categories, how it developed, why it matters, and tips for understanding or avoiding buzzwords.

Computer memory: concepts, types, and how it supports computing Computer memory Overview of computer memory: binary representation, bits and bytes, types (RAM, ROM, cache), memory hierarchy, how programs are loaded, and historical terminology.

Computer Model: Definition, Structure, Uses and Limitations Computer model An overview of computer models: what they are, how they are built and validated, common types, major applications across science and engineering, and key limitations and distinctio…

Computer monitor A computer monitor is an output device that displays text, images and video from a computer. This article explains common technologies, characteristics, history, uses, and distinct…

Computer mouse: overview, design, history, and common uses Computer mouse An input device that controls a pointer on a display. Covers design types (mechanical, optical, laser, wireless), key features, historical development, typical uses and notable var…

Computer multitasking: how operating systems run multiple tasks Computer multitasking Overview of computer multitasking: definitions, types (preemptive/cooperative), how context switching and scheduling work, history, uses, performance trade-offs and differences fro…

Computer museum: collections, preservation, history and public display Computer museum An overview of computer museums: what they collect, how they preserve hardware and software, their history and roles, types (physical and online), notable examples and pointers for…

Computer network A computer network links devices so they can exchange data, share resources and communicate. This article explains components, types, protocols, history, common uses and key distin…

Computer Performance: Definitions, Metrics, and Optimization Computer performance An accessible overview of computer performance: what it means, key metrics and components, how it evolved, how it is measured, and common optimization strategies and trade-offs.

Computer printer A computer printer is a device that produces physical copies of digital text and images. This article explains types, key parts, history, common uses, and practical distinctions.

Computer program: definition, parts, history, and common examples Computer program Overview of what a computer program is, how programs are written and stored, typical types and examples, history, development practices, execution, and security concerns.

Computer programming: principles, languages, tools, and applications Computer programming A clear, concise overview of computer programming: what it is, core concepts and parts, history, tools and workflows, common uses, and important distinctions among languages and ex…