I haven't found this question any where else so I dont think it's a duplicate. So here it goes, some background information of the world.

Suppose there is a civilization with access to magic, which has taken the place of traditional technolgical advancements.

Things such as fast transportation, aid in farming, etc are all enhanced by magicians and the majority of resources are poured into furhter developing and advancing magic (which for all effects and purposes is basically another branch of physics since magic in this world exists thanks to the properties of certain elements and not, well magically).

While knowledge of electricity exists it is mostly used as a tool for battle and not for transferring and storing energy or using it to power machines.

For this purpose another form of energy is used, let's call it aether, which is more efficient. The idea of computers has not been well realized yet. (If I had to draw a comparison I'd say technology is at late 19th century levels more or less)

If that civilization was to stumble upon a computer, like the one we are using today (circa 2017 home computer) but it wasn't in a usable state, could they

• Recognize what its purpose may have been?
• Understand the concepts and technology that make it work?
• Reverse engineer it to further advance their own technology and how long would a process like that take?

Would any of this change if the computer was usable isntead of broken? (I'm not asking wether they have motivation to study the computer or any reason to, I'm asking if they could do it)

I haven't found this question anywhere else so I don't think it's a duplicate. So here it goes, some background information of the world.

Suppose there is a civilization with access to magic which has taken the place of traditional technological advancements.

Things such as fast transportation, aid in farming, etc are all enhanced by magicians and the majority of resources are poured into further developing and advancing magic (which for all effects and purposes is basically another branch of physics since magic in this world exists thanks to the properties of certain elements and not, well magically).

While knowledge of electricity exists it is mostly used as a tool for battle and not for transferring and storing energy or using it to power machines.

For this purpose another form of energy is used, let's call it aether, which is more efficient. The idea of computers has not been well realized yet. (If I had to draw a comparison I'd say technology is at late 19th century levels more or less)

If that civilization was to stumble upon a computer, like the one we are using today (circa 2017 home computer) but it wasn't in a usable state, could they

• Recognize what its purpose may have been?
• Understand the concepts and technology that make it work?
• Reverse engineer it to further advance their own technology and how long would a process like that take?

Would any of this change if the computer was usable instead of broken? (I'm not asking whether they have motivation to study the computer or any reason to, I'm asking if they could do it)

I haven't found this question any where else so I dont think its a duplicate. So here it goes, some background information of the world.

Supose there is a civilization with access to magic, which has taken the place of traditional technolgical advancements. Things such as fast transportation  , aid in farming etc are all enhanced by magicians and the majority of resources are poured into developing and furthering magic (which for all effects and purposes is basically another branch of physics since magic in this world exists thanks to the properties of certain elements and not  , well magically). While knowledge of electricity exists it is mostly used as a tool for battle and not for transferring and storing energy or using it to power machines. For this purpose another form of energy is used, lets call it aether which is more efficient. The idea of computers has not been well realized yet. (If i had to draw a comparison I'd say technology is at late 19th century levels more or less)

If, that civilization was to stumble upon a computer, like the one we are using today (circa 2017 home computer) but it wasn't in a usable state  , could they

• Recognize what its purpose may have been?
• Understand the concepts and technology that make it work?
• Reverse engineer it to further their own technology and how long would a process like that take?

Would any if this change if the computer was usable isntead of broken? (Im not asking wether they have motivation to study the computer or any reason to  , im asking if they could do it  )

I haven't found this question any where else so I dont think it's a duplicate. So here it goes, some background information of the world.

Suppose there is a civilization with access to magic, which has taken the place of traditional technolgical advancements. 

Things such as fast transportation, aid in farming, etc are all enhanced by magicians and the majority of resources are poured into furhter developing and advancing magic (which for all effects and purposes is basically another branch of physics since magic in this world exists thanks to the properties of certain elements and not, well magically). 

While knowledge of electricity exists it is mostly used as a tool for battle and not for transferring and storing energy or using it to power machines. 

For this purpose another form of energy is used, let's call it aether, which is more efficient. The idea of computers has not been well realized yet. (If I had to draw a comparison I'd say technology is at late 19th century levels more or less)

If that civilization was to stumble upon a computer, like the one we are using today (circa 2017 home computer) but it wasn't in a usable state, could they

• Recognize what its purpose may have been?
• Understand the concepts and technology that make it work?
• Reverse engineer it to further advance their own technology and how long would a process like that take?

Would any of this change if the computer was usable isntead of broken? (I'm not asking wether they have motivation to study the computer or any reason to, I'm asking if they could do it)