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BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
(Computer Fundamentals – BCA-102)
RLSY College, Bettiah (W.C.)
Unit-1: Introduction to Computers
Q8: How many Types of Computers?
Now a day, there are different types of computers available. Each type of computer
is to process the data and provide some output to the user.
We can classify the computers, according to the following three criteria: -
1. Based on operating principles (or data handling capability).
2. Based on Application.
3. Based on size and capability.
~~~ : Types of Computers : ~~~
3. Based on size and capability.
Every computer is different from each other in terms of their shape,
size and weight. Each type of computer performs some unique
functions.
These types of computers also differ in terms of processing speed. On
the basis of size and capability, computers can be classified into the
following categories: -
i) Micro computers
ii) Mini computers
iii) Mainframe computers
iv) Super computers
i) Micro Computers
Micro computer is also known as personal computers (i.e. PC). It is
general purpose computer that is designed for individual use.
Micro computer is small, low cost and single user digital computer.
They consist of CPU, input units, output units, storage devices, and
also several software programs such as operating system, system
software and utility software.
Ram Krishna sir, RLSY College, Bettiah
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The first micro computers were built of 8 – bit micro processor chips.
The most common micro computer is a personal computer (PC).
Improvements of 8-bit chips are becomes 16 – bit, 32 – bit and 64 –
bit chips.
The micro computers are generally available in the form of PCs,
workstations, and notebook computers.
Although, micro computer is stand – alone machines, they can be
connected together to create a network of computers that can be use
in business such as word processing, accounting, desktop publishing,
creating railway tickets and create database management applications.
We can also use a micro computer at home for playing games, surfing
Internet, looking TV, watching movies etc.
Example of PC: IBM PC based on micro computer, Apple Machintosh,
Laptop, Desktop etc.
ii) Mini Computers
A Mini Computers was first introduce in the year 1960 by DEC (Digital
Equipment Corporation).
They were called mini computers because of their size than the other
computers of those times.
The Mini Computer is design to support more than one computer user
at a time. It is mid-size multi-processing computer system.
It consists of two or more processors and can support 4 or 200 users
simultaneously.
These computers are generally designed for small and medium sized
business environment.
Mini Computers can also be used as the web servers that can handles
thousands of transaction in a day.
These computers are less expensive than mainframe computers and
hence suitable for those organisations that can’t afford high priced
servers.
Examples of Mini-Computers: PDP 11, IBM 8000 series, VAX 7500, CDC
(Control Data Corporation) 160 & 1700 series, HP 2100 & 3000 series,
etc.
iii) Mainframe Computers
Ram Krishna sir, RLSY College, Bettiah
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These computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of
users simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at a
time.
A mainframe computer is a very large computer in size that is used
by large business organisations for handling major applications such
as financial transaction processing, Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP), industry and consumer statistics and census.
The mainframe computers can maintain large databases that can
be accessed by remote users with a simple terminal. Therefore,
these computers are also called super servers or database servers.
The main features of mainframe computers are as follows: -
A typical mainframe computer generally has a maximum of
16 or more microprocessors.
The capacity of RAM of these computers lies between 128
MB to 8 GB.
They are able to run multiple operating system like virtual
machines works.
They can handle huge amount of I/O operations at the same
time.
Examples of mainframe computers are: IBM 1370/3000/4300
series, VAX 8000 and CDC 6600.
iv) Super Computers
The super computers are the biggest, fastest and most expensive
computer in the world. They are designed to process huge amount
of data.
Super computers are the fastest computers because they contain
thousands of processors, hundreds of gigabytes of RAM and
thousands of gigabytes of secondary storage.
The super computers were first presented or designed in the year
1960 by Seymour Cray at CDC (Control Data Corporation).
A super computer can process trillions of instructions per second.
The speed of super computer generally measured in FLOPS
(Floating point Operations Per Seconds).
A Super Computers are particularly used in scientific and
engineering applications such as weather forecasting, climate
research (or global warming), molecular research, biological
research, nuclear research, and aircraft design.
Ram Krishna sir, RLSY College, Bettiah
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They are also used in major universities, military agencies and
scientific research laboratories.
Examples of super computers are: IBM Roadrunner, IBM Blue gene
and Intel ASCI red, CRAY X/YMP, CRAY2, CRAY3, Cyber 295, NEC
SX-3, and PARAM from India.
PARAM is a series of super computer assembled in INDIA by C-DAC
(Center for Development of Advanced Computing). PARAM Padma
is the latest machine. The speed of PARAM Padma is 1 Tera FLOPS.
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Ram Krishna sir, RLSY College, Bettiah
