LESSON 2- TYPES OF COMPUTER Computer can be classified based on their principles of operation or on their configuration. Configuration refers to the size, speed of doing computation, and storage 1 [email protected]
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LESSON 2- TYPES OF COMPUTER
Computer can be classified based on their principles of operation or
on their configuration. Configuration refers to the size,
speed of doing computation, and storage capacity of a computer.
*BASED ON PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION1. ANALOG COMPUTERS2. DIGITAL COMPUTERS3. HYBRID COMPUTERS
*BASED ON CONFIGURATION4. SUPERCOMPUTERS5. MIANFRAMES6. MINICOMPUTERS7. MICROCOMPUTERS
BASED ON PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
1. ANALOG COMPUTERS Analog computers are computing devices
that measure the changes in some physical data that are continuous in nature and having an infinite variety of values. Such type of data includes temperature, pressure, speed, weight, voltage, depth, etc. Analog computers are used to measure continuous changes in some physical quantity. For example, the speedometer of a car measure speed, the changes of temperature is measured by a thermometer, the weight is measured by weights machine.
These computers accept data directly from measuring instrument without having to convert it into numbers or codes. Analog computers are the first computers being developed and provided the basis for the development of the modern digital computers. They do not require any storage capability because they measure and compare quantities in a single operation
2. DIGITAL COMPUTERS Digital computers, as the name implies, are
computing devices that work with digits to represent numerals, letters and other special symbols. Digital computers operate based on the presence or absence of an electrical charge which are represented by a 1 and an OFF is represented by a 0. Digital computers can be used to process numeric as well as non-numeric data. They can perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and also logical operations. Most of the computers available today are digital. The most common examples are personal computers, mobile phones, and calculators. They are used in the field of design, research and data processing
The results of digital computers are more accurate than the result of analog computers. Analog computers are faster than digital. Analog computers lack memory whereas digital computers can store information. We can say that digital computers count and analog computers measure.
3. HYBRID COMPUTERS Hybrid computers are combination of
digital and analog computers. They combine the speed of analog computers and the memory and accuracy of digital computers. Hybrid computers are used mainly in specialized applications where both kinds of data need to be processed. They are mostly used for automatic operations of complicated physical processes and machines. For example, a petrol pump contains a processor that converts fuel flow measurements into quantity and price values. In hospitals, Intensive Care Unit (ICU),
an analog device which measures the patient’s blood pressure, temperature and other vital signs. These measurements are then converted into numbers and the component monitors if any abnormal readings are detected
BASED ON CONFIGURATION
1. SUPERCOMPUTERS Supercomputers are the fastest type of
computers designed to process few programs. They are the most expensive and are used in specialized application only. Some supercomputers can require intensive numerical computations.
USES OF SUPERCOMPUTERS
• Space Exploration. Supercomputers are used to study the origin of the universe. Scientists use IBM’S powerful supercomputer ‘’Roadrunner’’ at national laboratory Los Alamos. NASA uses supercomputers for launching space shuttles, controlling them and space exploration purpose.
• Earthquake studies. Supercomputers are used to study the earthquakes phenomenon. Besides that, supercomputers are used for natural resources exploration, like natural gas, petroleum, coal, etc.
• Weather forecasting. Supercomputers are used for weather forecasting, and to study the nature and extent of hurricanes, rainfalls, windstorms, etc.
• Nuclear weapon testing. Supercomputers are used to run weapon simulations that can test the range, accuracy and impact of nuclear weapons
POPULAR SUPERCOMPUTERS
• IBM’s Sequoia in United States• Fujitsu’s K Computer in Japan• IBM’s Mira in United States • IBM’s Super MUC in Germany • NUDT Tianhe-1 in China **In 1964, Seymour Cray designed the first
supercomputer ‘’CDC 6600’’
MAINFRAMES
2. Mainframes are large and expensive computers which size may span the length of the room. Great processing speed and data storage some of its capabilities. Mainframes are capable of supporting thousands of users simultaneously. Normally, they are used in banking, educational institutions, airlines, insurance policy holders, railways, and other large firms or government organizations for their operational procedures.
MINICOMPUTERS
3. Minicomputers are also called ‘’midrange computers’’. These are midsized machines which sizes, power, and performance lie between the mainframes and microcomputers. Minicomputers are used by small businesses and firms. These are not designed for a single user. They are capable of supporting up to 200 users simultaneously. Individual departments of a large organization use minicomputers for specific purposes. For example, a production department can use minicomputers for monitoring certain production process.
POPULAR MINICOMPUTERS
• K-202• Texas Instrument TI-990• SDS 92• IBM Midrange computers
MICROCOMPUTERS
4. Microcomputers are also called ‘’personal computers’’ and are designed for individual usage like education, work and entertainment purposes. Well known manufacturers of microcomputers are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony & Toshiba. Microcomputers can either be desktop computers or portable computers.
DESKTOP COMPUTERS
-Are computers that are designed to fit
on the top or side of the desk. Example of desktop computers are Personal Computers (PC) and Workstation.
PORTABLE COMPUTERS
-Are computers that are small and light enough to carry and move easily from one place to another. Laptops, Notebooks, Netbooks, PDA’s (PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT), Tablet PC’s, Smartphone, calculators are the categories of portable computers.
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