Any computer characterized by the following concepts:
It follows that a program for a von Neumann machine consists of a set of instructions that are examined one after another; a program counter in the control unit indicates the next location in the memory from which an instruction is to be taken. It also follows that the data on which the program operates may include variables: storage locations can be named so that the stored value may be subsequently referenced or changed during execution of the program.
The vast majority of present-day computers are von Neumann machines. The name is taken from that of the American, John von Neumann. Compare non von Neumann architecture.