2. Types of computer
Computers can be classified based on their principles of operation or on their configuration .By
configuration,we mean the size ,speed of doing computation and storage capacity of a
computer.
Types of computer based on principles of operation
There are three different types of computer according to the principles of
operation.those three types of computers are:
Analog computers
(ii)
Digital computers
general purpose computer
special urpose computer
(iii) Hybrid computer
(i)
Analog computer
An analog computer that uses the continuously changeable aspects of physical phenomenon
Such as electrical,mechanical,or hydrolic to model the problem being solved.
3. Example:
Norden bombsight
Applications
Analog computers were widely used in scientific and industrial applications
. Analog computers can have a very wide range of complexity.
Slide rules and nomographs are the simplest, while naval gunfire control computers and large
hybrid digital/analog computers were among the most complicated
Advantages
Systems for process control and protective relays used analog computation to perform control and
protective functions.
Digital computer
An electronic computer in which the input is discrete rather than continuous,
consisting of combinations of numbers, letters, and other characters written in an appropriate
programming language and represented internally in binary notation Compare analog
computer
4. Examples
(i)Palmtop computers
(ii)Desk top computers
(iii)Lap top computers
(iv)Mainframe computers
General pupose computer
A general-purpose computer is one that, given the appropriate application and required
time, should be able to perform most common computing tasks.
Personal computers, including desktops, notebooks, smartphones and tablets, are
all examples of general-purpose computers. The term is used to differentiate
general-purpose computers from other types, in particular the specialized
embedded computers used inintelligent systems.
Special purpose computer
a Special-Purpose Computer are designed to be task specific and most of the
times their job is to solve one particular problem.
5. They are also known as dedicated computers, because they are dedicated to
perfom a single task over and over again. Such a computer system would be
useful in playing graphic intensive Video Games, traffic lights control system,
navigational system in an aircraft, weather forecasting, satellite launch /
tracking, oil exploration, and in automotive industries, keeping time in a digital
watch, or Robot helicopter.
Hybrid computer
A hybrid computer is a type of computer that is designed to provide the features and
functions that are found by both the digital and the analog computers. A hybrid
computer system offers a much cost effective method that is used to perform complex
simulations.
Examples:
One example of a place you may find a hybrid computer is in the medical
field or centers.
This helps lessen the overall time needed for data processing.
Another example of computer people are calling hybrid is a laptop mixed
with a tablet. This means that a person can use a laptop, but if they need to
take it someplace, they have the ability to remove it from the keyboard and
use it as a tablet.
6. Types of computer based on configuration
There are four different types of computer when we classify them based on their performance
and capacity.the four types are:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Super computers
Mainframe computers
Mini computers
Micro computers
(i)
Super computers
The fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations.
For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer.
7. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations,
nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.
Example:
IBM's Roadrunners is the fastest supercomputer in the world, twice as fast as Blue
gene and six times as fast as any of the other current supercomputer.
(ii) Mainframe computer
Mainframe computers are used in banking, finance, health care, insurance, utilities, government and
other public and private enterprises. They are large, powerful computers designed to handle great
volumes of complex data and process bulk information. This makes them ideal for the business and
national security environment.
in the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor(in watches, for example) at the bottom
and moves to super computers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers.
Example:
IBM system Z9 mainframe
8. (iii) Mini computer
A minicomputer is a type of computer that possesses most of the features and capabilities
of a large computer but is smaller in physical size.
A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstation and
mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers and small
mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small minicomputers and
workstations
9. (iv) Micro computer
A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as
its central processing unit (CPU).[] It includes a microprocessor, memory, and input/output
(I/O) facilities.
The term microcomputer is generally synonymous with personal computer (PC), or a
computer that depends on a microprocessor. Microcomputers are designed to be used by
individuals, whether in the form of PCs, workstations or notebook computers. A
microcomputer contains a central processing unit (CPU) on a microchip (the
microprocessor), a memory system (typically read-only memory and random acces emory),
a bus system and I/O ports, typically housed in a motherboard.
Refrences:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
http://www.webopedia.com
http://whatis.techtarget.com
http://en.wikipedia.org
