UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

MODULE IN LIVING IN THE I.T. ERA

Course Code : GEEL 1 / ELECTIVE 1MT

Course Title : LIVING IN THE I.T. ERA
Credit Units : 3.0
Course Description :

This course explores the science, culture and ethics of information

technology, its various uses and applications, as well as its influence
on culture and society. It will provide knowledge on new technologies,
modern innovations, technology trends and the history of Information
Technology age. It aims to strike a balance between conceptual instruction
and socially and culturally-oriented discussions as it not only explains
the basic concepts or key terms in IT but also features the major IT trends
along with the issues and challenges these developments bring.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module, students are expected to:

Cognitive

 Compare the different discoveries and inventions in all ages and

generations of computer.
 Examine the different Trends of Technology and its impact to society.

Affective

 Show an appreciation on the evolution of Mobile Operating Systems.

 Display an appreciation on the influence of IT, practice of proper
netiquette and negative practices in social media.

Psychomotor

 Apply current technical concepts and practices in the core of

information technologies.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

 Describe the classification of computers according to purpose, type

of data handled and capacity or size.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

 Identify the main types of computers, including supercomputer,

mainframe, microcomputer, etc.
 Identify types of computers, how they process information and how
individual computers interact with other computing systems and
devices.

LESSON 5. CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Classification of Computers according to Size, Type and Purpose

There are different classes of computer technology available these days.

The functionality and data processing of each type of computer is different
and output results as well.

However, the methods or techniques, size, capacity, characteristics and

data handling of the data of each computer may be different as well.

We can classify the computers according to the following 3 categories:

1. On the Basis of Size and Capacity [Supercomputer, Mainframe, Mini,

and Micro Computer].
2. On the Basis of Purposes [General and Special Purpose].
3. On the Basis of Hardware Design and Type [Analog, Digital, and Hybrid
Computer].

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

Computers on the Basis of Size and Capacity

1. Super Computer

A Supercomputer is the very fastest and powerful, and expensive type of

computer for processing data. Supercomputers’ size and storage
capacity are also huge (can occupy huge premises) designed to process vast
amounts of data in a short time with high productivity.

These are specially made to perform multi-specific tasks. Therefore, many

CPUs work in parallel order on these supercomputers. This function of a
Supercomputer is called Multiprocessing or Parallel Processing.

A supercomputer’s design is complicated, like it can be heterogeneous,

combining computers of different architectures, is significantly surpassed
most existing personal computers. This made this machine an ultra-high
performance supercomputer.

Each part of a supercomputer is responsible for its own specific task,

such as structuring and solving the most complex problems requiring an
incredible amount of calculations.

Uses of Supercomputers:

 In research and study of energy and nuclear weapons and designing

the aircraft, airplanes, and flight simulators.
 Climate research and Weather Forecasting and Prediction of Natural
Disasters.
 Spaceship and Satellite Launching.
 Used in scientific research laboratories.
 Used in Chemical and Biological research and for highly calculation
complex tasks.

Examples: IBM Roadrunner, IBM Blue Gene, Intel ASI Red, PARAM-1000,
and CRAY-XMP-14.

The world’s first supercomputer is the Control Data Corporation (CDC) 6600
invented by Seymour Cray.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

2. Mainframe Computer

Mainframe computers are multi-programming, high-performance computers, and

multi-user, which means it can handle the workload of more than 100 users
at a time on the computer.

The storage capacity of the mainframe is enormous, with a high-speed data

process as well. As well as handling hundreds of input and output devices
at a time.

The mainframe is a highly efficient computer capable of simultaneously

solving complex calculations and continuously for a long time. These
computers have several microprocessors that have the ability to function
the data at too high performance and speed.

The mainframe is ahead of our conventional modern Personal computers in

almost every metric. The possibility of their “hot” replacement in the
mainframe computer ensures continuity of operation. And the standard amount
of processor utilization effortlessly exceeds 85% of the total power.

Somehow mainframes can be more powerful than supercomputers because the

mainframe supports many processes simultaneously. On the other hand,
supercomputers can run a single program but faster than a mainframe. In
the past, Mainframes requires entire rooms or even floors of whole
buildings for set up.

In today, IBM company is leading the production of mainframe computers.

Mainframe reliability is increased with development in the past 60 years.
These computers can fix most of the hardware and software bugs.

Uses of Mainframe Computer:

Mainframe computers are mainly used by departmental and commercial

organizations like Banks, Companies, Scientific research centers, and
governmental departments like railways. These computers can work for 24
hours. Hundreds of users can work on these computations simultaneously.

Using the mainframe completes the tasks, such as keeping details of

payments, research centers, advertising, sending bills and notices, paying
employees, ticket booking, maintaining details of purchases by users,
keeping detailed tax details, etc.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

Examples: IBM Es000 series, ICL39 Series, and CDC 6600.

3. Mini Computer

Minicomputer is a digital and multi-user computer system with the

connection of more than one CPU. Thus, many people can work on these
computers simultaneously instead of a single person. Also, it can process
with other accessories like a printer, plotter, etc.

Minicomputers are the medium type of computers that have more functionality
power and expensive than microcomputers. On the other hand, the size,
storage, and speed of minicomputers are large but less than the mainframe
and supercomputers.

Minicomputers are made for performing a lot of computers at a single point

of time, instead of assigning many microcomputers for every task, which
will be time-consuming and expensive.

In general, a minicomputer is a multi-threaded system (several processes

at a time) capable of supporting from one to up to 200 users simultaneously:
these computers are currently used to store large databases, multi-user
applications, and the automation industry.

Uses of Minicomputers:

The minicomputers are used as real-time applications in Industries,

bookings, and Research Centers. Banks also use minicomputers for preparing
payroll for employees’ salaries, records, tracking of financial accounts,
etc. As well as in the field of Higher Education and Engineering.

Examples: PDP 11 and IBM (8000 Series).

The PDP-1 was the world’s first minicomputer, small and interactive,
introduced in 1960 by the Digital Equipment Corporation.

4. Micro Computer

Today we are using many computers at home is also the most common
microcomputer. With this invention of the microprocessors in the year 1970,
it became possible to use computers for people personally at a low cost
and reasonable price known as Digital Personal Computer.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

The design of microcomputers is minimal in size and storage capacity. These

computers consist of many parts like Input and Output devices, Software,
operating systems, networks, and Servers all these need to connect to form
a complete Personal Digital Computer.

There is not only a PC or laptop are examples of microcomputers. Other

examples of the microcomputer are smartphone, Tablet, PDA, server, palmtop,
and workstation.

This can be installed in any work area or even at home for personal use.

The primary purpose of microcomputers is to keep and process everyday tasks

and needs of the people. Only one person can work on a single PC at a
time, but its operating system is multitasking. The PC can be connected
to the Internet to take benefits and enhance the user experience.

The development of multimedia, small equipment, optimized energy

consumption, and the LAN made the microcomputers increase in demand for
every field.

The increase in the demand and need for microcomputers between the people
leads to the tremendous development of each part related to the
microcomputers.

Uses of Micro Computers:

PC is being widely used in many fields like home, office, data collection,
business, education, entertainment, publishing, etc.

It keeps the details and prepares letters for correspondence in small

businesses, creating bills, accounting, word processing, and operation of
the filing systems in a large company.

Some of the major PC manufacturers are IBM, Lenovo, Apple, HCL, HP, etc.

Examples: Desktops, tablets, smartphones, and Laptops.

The fast development of microcomputers with technology. As a result, today,

microcomputers coming in the form of a book, a phone, and even a clock in
the name of digital clock.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

Computers on the Basis Purpose

1. General Purpose

General computers can do various everyday tasks such as writing a word

processing letter, Document preparation, recording, financial analysis,
Printing documents, creating databases, and calculations with accuracy and
consistency.

The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers are mainly less.
The ability of these computers is limited in performing specialized tasks.
Still, it has versatility and useful for serving people’s basic needs at
home or in the workplace in the environment.

Examples: The desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets are used on daily
basis for general purposes.

2. Special Purpose

These computers are designed to perform a particular or specialized task.

The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers mainly depend on
the nature and size of the work. The function of these computers is
consistent with any particular task.

The special computer needs specific processors and input and devices to
conduct work efficiently.

These computers are used for special purposes in weather forecasting,

space research, agriculture, engineering, meteorology, satellite
operation, traffic control, and research in chemical sciences.

Examples:

 Automatic teller machines (ATM)

 Washing machines
 Surveillance equipment
 Weather-forecasting simulators
 Traffic-control computers
 Defense-oriented applications
 Oil-exploration systems
 Military planes controlling computers

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

Computers on the Basis of Hardware Design and Data Handling

1. Analog Computer

An analog computer performs tasks using continuous data (the physical

amount that changes continuously). Analog computers are used primarily to
measure physical units like voltage, pressure, electric current,
temperature, and convert them into digits.

It is also used to measure and perform arithmetic calculations of numbers,

the length of an object, or the amount of voltage that passes through a
point in an electrical circuit. Analog computers obtain all their data
from some measurement way.

Analog computers are mainly used in the fields of science and engineering.
Analog computers are slow and equipped to measure things rather than
countable or check.

The efficiency of this computer increases when we get the result of the
data in graphs, etc. Analog Computers cannot store statistics.

They are used in the fields of technology, science, research, engineering,

etc. Because quantities like voltage, pressure, electric current,
temperature are used more in these areas, these types of computers give
only approximate estimates.

Examples:

An analog computer installed on a petrol pump measures the amount of petrol

coming out of the pump and appears in liters. And calculates its value.
These quantities vary continuously while measuring the amount, such as the
temperature of a human body changes consistently.

A simple clock, the vehicle’s speedometer, voltmeter, etc. are examples

of analog computing.

2. Digital Computer

As its name suggests, a digital computer represents the digital computer’s

letters, numerical values, or any other special symbols. This computer is
the computer that calculates the number for processing the data.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

They run on electronic signs, and the binary numeral method Binary System
0 or 1 is used for calculation. Their speed is fast.

It can perform arithmetic operations such as addition, occurrence,

subtraction, multiplication, or division and all types of
logical(mathematical) operations. Today, most of the computers available
in the market are digital computers.

Digital computers are built to bring the solution of equations to an almost

unlimited precision, but in a bit slow manner compared to analog computers.
To some extent, they all have similar components for receiving, processing,
sorting, and transmitting data and use a relatively small number of
essential functions to perform their tasks.

Digital computers use discrete electrical signals for operation rather

than continuous electrical signals as analog computers have, making the
most common form of computers today because of their versatility, speed,
and power.

The desktop or Laptop at our home is one the common and best example of a
digital computer.

Other Examples of Digital Computers:

 Personal Desktop Computers

 Calculators
 Laptops, Smartphones, and Tablets
 Digital watch
 Accounting machines
 Workstations
 Digital clock, etc.

3. Hybrid Computer

A hybrid computer is a combined complex computer unit built using

both analog and digital properties and united by a single control system.
The purpose of designing hybrid computers is to provide functions and
features that can be found on both analog and digital devices.

The aim behind creating a hybrid computer is to create a kind of work unit
that offers the best of both types of computers. Hybrid computers are

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

extremely fast when driving equations, even when those calculations are
incredibly complex.

As both the properties of a computer consist in the form of a single hybrid

computer made possible to solve too complex calculations or problems, at
the same time, these devices are not only too expensive but also able to
solve complex issues a bit fast.

Incorporating the properties of both (analog and digital) computers into

hybrid computers makes it possible to resolve more difficult equations
immediately.

The analog computer systems solve the equation process immediately. But
it is not necessary that those solutions would be completely accurate.
The digital computer system gives 100% percent correct solutions, but it
takes a bit of time in the calculation. Therefore, Hybrid computers are
made to overcome the flaws of both these analog and digital systems.

Applications of Hybrid Computer:

Hybrid computers are most commonly used in vast industries, research

centers, organizations, and manufacturing firms (where many equations need
to be solved).

Also, the solutions and uses of hybrid computers have proved to be much
more detailed, accurate, and useful. Hybrid computers are used in
scientific calculations, for nations’ defense and radar systems as well.

Examples:

Auto Gasoline pump is the example of a hybrid computer, this device is

installed on a petrol pump do not only to measure the amount of petrol but
also to calculates its value, in this way It is capable of both functions
i.e hybrid function.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City

College Freshmen Program (CFP)

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022

References:

https://digitalworld839.com/classification-of-computers/
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/classification-of-computers
https://study.com/academy/lesson/using-mips-flops-as-computer-
performance-parameters.html
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/classification-of-computers/
https://ecomputernotes.com/fundamental/introduction-to-computer/write-a-
detailed-note-on-classification-of-computers
https://www.analyticsinsight.net/top-10-fastest-supercomputers-world-
watch-2020/
https://ecomputernotes.com/fundamental/introduction-to-
computer/microcomputer

Prepared by:

IT INSTRUCTORS

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