Lecture 4

TYPES OF COMPUTER

Types of Computers

Computers are classify according to:

Purpose Whether the computer is general purpose or special purpose. Type of Data Handled is using analog, digital data or a combination of both. Capacity the volume of work that the computer can handle is large or small.

Classification according to purpose

General Purpose

Special purpose

Designed to handle variety of different problems and to meet different needs. Normally weak in speed & efficiency as compared to Special purpose computer. Use for applications such as payroll, accounts, inventory control, budgeting and sales analysis.

Designed to handle specific problem or to perform special task. Use for specific task like Satellite tracking, industrial process, house hold devices.

Analog computer
Analog computer were commonly used for scientific & engineering problems, particularly in chemical industry, electric power plants, and petroleum refineries. These type of computers are rarely use in current world. Example an electric current meter, Fuel pump station meters etc.

Digital Computers
Digital computer are specialized in counting, the digital computer handles values that are in a discrete (binary 1 or 0). Digital computer counts and answer the questions by the method of HOW Many. The input data is represented by a number. These are used for the logical and arithmetic operations. All commonly used computers are DIGITAL

Hybrid Computer
The combination of features of analog and digital computer is called Hybrid computer. Having both digital & analog features. Used in various areas of engineering, space vehicle simulation and training of astronauts, passenger flight radar system, also used to control robots.

Types of computer

computer

Digital computer Micro Computer Main frame Computer

Analog computer Mini

Hybrid Computer

Super Computer

Computer

Desktop

Workstation

Laptops

Handheld

Micro Computer
Micro computer are the smallest computer system. There size range from calculator to desktop size. Its CPU is microprocessor. It also known as Grand child Computer. There are two sub categories in it. One is PC which is less in price & reliability, other is Workstation which is expensive in price & reliability comparing with PC Application : - personal computer, Multi user system, offices.

Portable computers (Mobile computers) Micro Computer

Portable computers (Mobile computers) Not only desk computer but it you can transport it with anywhere. Subcategory: Laptop, Palmtops, Wearable Computers: Features: Lightweights less power uses

Mini Computer
These are also small general purpose system. They are generally more powerful and most useful as compared to micro computer. Mini computer are also known as mid range computer or Child computer. Now the term is not in use, once it was between mainframe & personal computer category, this category was defeated by PC or desktop computers because of reduce price and better performance in speed. Mini Computers are now replaced with Servers. Application :- Departmental systems, Network Servers, work group system.

Servers
Similar to desktop computers but more powerful and reliable. With fault tolerant features. Using Multiple Processors 2-8 etc., Memory in GBs, storage in TBs USE IN: Medium Size or Small organizations, Accounts Servers, email servers, Websites,

Main Frame Computer

Mainframe computers are those computers that offer faster processing and grater storage area. It is also known as Father computer. Designed for Multiple user interfaces. Different people can operate these computers at the same time for complex intensive tasks. For Non Stop reliable operation, to upgrade these systems you dont have to switch off. Using Multiple Processors 2-24 etc., Memory in GBs, storage in TBs Application Host computer, Central data base server.
Use in Large Business, Airlines, Banks, E-Commerce Sites, Military, Industrial organizations.

Super Computer

Super computer are those computer which are designed for scientific job like whether forecasting and artificial intelligence etc. They are fastest and expensive. A super computer contains a number of CPU which operate in parallel to make it faster. It also known as grand father computer.

Application whether forecasting, weapons research and development.