Analog computers are devices that process information using continuous physical quantities, such as electrical voltage or mechanical movement. Unlike digital computers, which use discrete values (0s and 1s), analog computers can represent a range of values, making them suitable for simulating complex systems like weather patterns or flight dynamics. These computers operate by manipulating variables through physical phenomena, such as resistors and capacitors in electrical circuits. They were widely used before the advent of digital computers, particularly in fields like engineering and scientific research, where real-time calculations and simulations were essential.