Section 2: Definitions- Information and Technology Act, 2000

Section 2- Definitions of Computer; Computer Network; Computer system; Data; Electronic Form; Electronic Record

The following section states:

“(i) Computer means any electronic, magnetic, optical or other high-speed data processing device or system which performs logical, arithmetic, and memory functions by manipulations of electronic, magnetic or optical impulses, and includes all input, output, processing, storage, computer software or communication facilities which are connected or related to the computer in a computer system or computer network; 

(j) Computer network means the interconnection of one or more computers or computer systems or communication device through– 

• • • • • The use of satellite, microwave, terrestrial line, wire, wireless or other communication media; and 
        • Terminals or a complex consisting of two or more interconnected computers or communication device whether or not the interconnection is continuously maintained; 

(l) Computer system means a device or collection of devices, including input and output support devices and excluding calculators which are not programmable and capable of being used in conjunction with external files, which contain computer programmes, electronic instructions, input data and output data, that performs logic, arithmetic, data storage and retrieval, communication control and other functions; 

(o) Data means a representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions which are being prepared or have been prepared in a formalised manner, and is intended to be processed, is being processed or has been processed in a computer system or computer network, and maybe in any form (including computer printouts magnetic or optical storage media, punched cards, punched tapes) or stored internally in the memory of the computer; 

(r) Electronic form with reference to information, means any information generated, sent, received or stored in media, magnetic, optical, computer memory, microfilm, computer generated micro fiche or similar device; 

(t) Electronic record means data, record or data generated, image or sound stored, received or sent in an electronic form or microfilm or computer generated microfiche.”