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Lecture 4

The document classifies computers according to their purpose, the type of data handled, and capacity. It describes analog computers, digital computers like mainframes, mini computers, and microcomputers, and hybrid computers. Digital computers are further divided according to size, cost, and speed into categories like super computers, mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers.

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shakirchowk
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22 views

Lecture 4

The document classifies computers according to their purpose, the type of data handled, and capacity. It describes analog computers, digital computers like mainframes, mini computers, and microcomputers, and hybrid computers. Digital computers are further divided according to size, cost, and speed into categories like super computers, mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers.

Uploaded by

shakirchowk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer Types According to

Capability
Computers are classified according to:
• Purpose: Whether the computer is general
purpose or special purpose
• Type of Data Handled: Whether the computer is
using analog, digital data or a combination of both
• Capacity: the volume of work that the computer
can handle is large or small
There are three kinds of computers classified according to
their workings:
• Analog computers
• Digital computers
 Mainframe Computers
 Mini Computers
 Micro computers
 General purpose computers
 Special purpose Computers
• Hybrid computers
Analog computers

• Analog computer actually is a measuring device


• An analog computer measures continuous type of
data and use a physical quantity such as electric
current, speed, weight etc
• Analog Computers are the first Computers being
developed & provide the base for the development of
modern digital computers
• These computers are mainly made of electrical devices
like resisters ,amplifiers & transistors
• This machine has a very limited memory & can
perform only certain type of calculations, which
make it specialized machine, suitable for
engineering &scientific calculations
• Speedometer and millimeter(used in vehicles),
Electric meter
• Gas meter, (fixed on the supply line of the house),
pressure gauges & thermometers are the general
example of the analog devices
Digital Computer

• A Digital computer works with data in term of


discrete number or digit (0,1)
• These number are used to perform, arithmetic
calculations and also make logical decision to reach a
conclusion
• All the expressions are coded into binary digits (0
and 1) inside the computer and it manipulates &
execute them at very fast speed
• All commonly used computers are DIGITAL
Hybrid Computer

• A Hybrid computer is, which combines the analog &


digital capabilities in the same computer system
• These machines are generally used for scientific
applications
• These computers are designed to perform special
tasks in which different measurements are
converted into digits and are processed by
computer e.g. air defense system, different
laboratory equipment for medicine
Digital computers are further divided into different categories
according to their
• Size
• Cost
• Speed (rate at which computer can execute
instructions)
• Super Computer
• Mainframe Computers
• Minicomputers
• Micro Computers
• Super Computer
Super Computer

• Super computer are designed for scientific job


like whether forecasting and weapon designing
• They are fastest and expensive
• A super computer contains a number of CPU
which operate in parallel to make it faster
• Application: weather forecasting, weapons
research and development
Mainframe Computers

• Large in size
• Large in memory
• Process data at very high speed
• Less expensive than Supercomputers
• Used for processing large amount of data
• Designed for computerization of data of huge
businesses, universities, banks, scientific labs
Mini Computers

Mini computers as compared to main frame are:


• Small in size and more compact (can fit in small
room)
• Small in memory
• Less expensive
• Designed for computerization of data of scientific
research and data collection, industrial process
control and small business application
Microcomputers

Microcomputers as compared to the previous are:


•Smallest in size (can be accommodated on table
(desktop computer))
•Very small in memory
•Less expensive
•Designed for personal use, therefore these are
also termed as Personal Computers
•Designed for small scale domestic and business
applications
Micro Computers are further divided
into
Desktop Computers
Hand Held Computers
Laptops
Smart Phone
Wearable Computers
Workstation
Special Purpose computers

• As the name suggests these computers system are used only


for specific purposes or application
• These special purpose computer system maybe defined as a
stored programmed computer, whose architecture is oriented
towards one or more specific applications
• Examples:
 Computer used for Process Control in an industry.
 Bio-medical X-ray instrument used only for X-ray.
 ECG machine which is used for ECG test
 Electronic digital blood pressure instrument
 Computer used for air-traffic control.
 Computer system which is used in Robots.
THE END

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