In the history of computer technology, the modern digital computer was developed primarily in which country?

Introduction / Context:
This general knowledge question focuses on the origins of the modern digital computer. Several countries made important contributions to computing, but competitive exams usually emphasise where the first general purpose electronic digital computers were built and developed as practical systems. Understanding which country led in this development helps place other facts about early computers, inventors and institutions in context.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the digital computer, not mechanical devices or calculators.
• We focus on the country where modern electronic digital computers were primarily developed into working machines.
• Options include USA, UK, Russia, Japan and Germany.
• We assume reference to widely recognised early machines such as ENIAC and related projects.

Concept / Approach:
While several countries worked on early computing ideas, the modern digital electronic computer is strongly associated with developments in the United States of America. Machines such as the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) and later EDVAC were designed and built in the USA and are often cited as the first general purpose electronic digital computers. Britain created important wartime machines like Colossus, and other nations contributed to later development, but exam oriented history usually points to the USA as the primary birthplace of the digital computer. Therefore, when a question asks where the digital computer was developed primarily, United States of America is the expected answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
History of computing books typically list the ENIAC, designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly in the USA, as the first general purpose electronic digital computer. They also emphasise that this work led to the stored program concept refined in EDVAC and later machines, again in the USA. While they acknowledge contributions from British and European scientists, the overall narrative consistently describes the USA as the primary location where the digital computer emerged as a practical and influential technology. Exam preparation material therefore usually sets USA as the correct choice for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• United Kingdom (UK): Built important machines like Colossus, but those were specialised code breaking devices and kept secret for many years, and exam syllabi still focus on USA for primary development.
• Russia: Made later advances in computing and space technology but is not credited with the earliest general purpose digital computers.
• Japan: Known for contributions in electronics and robotics, but not for originating the first digital computers.
• Germany: Had important theoretical work and mechanical devices but is not typically identified as the primary developer of electronic digital computers in exam oriented histories.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes pick the UK because they have heard about Colossus or the work at Bletchley Park, or they may guess based on current technology leaders like Japan. To avoid confusion, remember the specific phrase digital computer and connect it with ENIAC and EDVAC in the United States. When exam questions use developed primarily, they are usually referring to the well documented and widely publicised development of early digital computers in the USA, not to every related project worldwide.

Final Answer:
The modern digital computer was developed primarily in the United States of America (USA).