Von Neumann architecture describes a general framework, or structure, that a computer's hardware, programming, and data should follow. Although other structures for computing have been devised and implemented, the vast majority of computers in use today operate according to the von Neumann architecture.

The "von Neumann" in von Neumann architecture refers to Hungarian-American mathematician John von Neumann (1903-1957). Von Neumann was initially interested in access to the fastest computers available (of which there were few) during World War II in order to perform complex computations for a variety of war-related problems. In 1944, Von Neumann became a consultant to the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) project, which upon its completion in 1945 became the world's first general purpose, electronic computer. Even before ENIAC's completion, von Neumann and several members of the team constructing ENIAC proposed building a more advanced computer, which would eventually become known...