Types of computers

OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLE

• Based on operational principle computer can

be classified into
– Digital computer
– Analog computer
– Hybrid computer.
Digital Computer

• A digital computer operates on discrete data.

• In this data will be converted into binary digits ( "0"

and "1") and all the operations are carried out on
these digits at extremely faster rates.

• That is, a digital computer is based on binary digits.

• In this data will be represented in the form of digits.

Digital Computer
• It is a high speed computing device that can
perform mathematical calculations, compare
values and store the results.

• Digital Computers are much faster than analog

computers and far more accurate.

• Computers used for business and scientific

applications are digital computers.
Digital Computer

Digital signal
Digital Computer-Characteristics
• It functions on discrete numbers.

• It operates by counting

• It is fast, reliable and accurate.

• It has large memory space.

• Data will be represented in the form of binary digits.

• They help in scientific and business purposes.

Digital Computer-Advantages

1. Digital systems are easy to 5. Digital circuits are less

design. affected by noise.

2. Information storage is easy. 6. Reliability and portability.

3. Accuracy and precision. 7. More digital circuits can be

fabricated on a single IC
4. Operations can be chip.
programmed and
automated. 8. Wide applications.
Analog Computers

• In analog computers, continuous signals or quantities are

used for operations.

• Computations are carried out with physical quantities such

as voltage, length, temperature etc.

• In this accuracy is less compared to digital computers.

• ‘Analog’ is a Greek word denotes that the computer

functions by establishing similarity between two quantities
that are expressed as voltages or currents.
Analog Computers
• Analog computers thus, operate by measuring rather
than counting.
• These machines have a very limited memory space
and applications.
• Analog computers are powerful tools to solve
differential equations. E.g. Speedometer of an
automobile, ECG machine.

Analog signal
Analog Computers -Characteristics

1. It operates by measurement 4. Calculations are first

and comparison. converted into equations
2. Accuracy of the data used in and then to electrical
the analog computer is signals.
directly related to the 5. Accuracy is poor.
precision of its 6. The speed of analog
measurement. computer is low.
3. It functions continuously on 7. Not suitable for business
varying quantities. and industry.
8. It lacks flexibility
Comparison between Analog and Digital computers

Analog Computer Digital Computer

• Operates on physical • Operates on numbers.

quantities.
• Contains a huge network of • Contains less no. of
electronic components. electronic components.
• It has limited memory. • It has unlimited memory.
• It does not give 100% • It has 100% accuracy.
accuracy.
• It is costly • It is less costly
Comparison between Analog and Digital computers

Analog Computer Digital Computer

• It is widely used for • It is widely used for

engineering and scientific commercial applications
applications. • Storage capacity is high.
• Storage capacity is low. • It operates on discontinuous
• It operates on continuous (discrete) data.
data. • It is highly flexible.
• Lacks flexibility. • Speed is high.
• Speed is less.
Hybrid Computers

• Hybrid computers utilize the best qualities of both

the digital and analog computers.

• In this type of computer some functions are

performed in digital part and some in analog part.

• Data is recorded on the basis of both digital and

analog signals.
Hybrid Computers
• In other words it is a computer that has
capabilities, behavior, functions and
operational principles of both analog and
digital computer.

• Hybrid computers are used in hospital for

measurement of patient's heart beat, blood
pressure etc.
Purpose Wise Classifications.

• General Purpose Computers

• Special Purpose Computers

General Purpose Computers

• These are designed to meet the needs of a variety of

applications.

• They can perform various operations in the fields of

engineering, science, commerce and industry.

• In this only one program can make use of the computers

memory at a time.

• They can be used to prepare stores reports, sales reports,

pay rolls etc.
Special Purpose Computers

• These computers are designed to perform a

specific task.

• E.g. :- for ATM, for playing games, to solve

scientific and engineering problems etc.
Size, Capacity and Performance wise classifications

Size wise computers can be classified into four. They are,

1. Micro Computer
a. Tower / Desktop / Personal.
b. Laptop.
c. Note book.
d. Sub note book.
e. Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).

2. Mini Computer
3. Main frame Computer
4. Super Computer
Micro Computer
• A micro computer is a computer whose CPU is a Micro
processor.

• A micro processor is a processor with all of its components is

on a single integrated chip.

• Micro computers are very smaller in size and quite cheap also.

• Peripheral devices can be used for micro computers

E.g.:- Printer ,Monitor, Key board etc

• User friendly.

• Small in size.
Tower / Personal / Desk Top Computer
• It is an ordinary PC.

• It has more weight compared to Lap Tops, ranging from 12 to

20 k.g

• These are the commonly used by students, professionals, for

business, for office automation etc.

• These are so called because they are designed for personal

use of individual or for small individual business or for
office automation systems

• It can be assembled by purchasing components.

Lap Top Computer
• These are portable computers which can placed on the lap of
the user and work.

• These computers are used by professionals or business people.

• It can be easily carried through in a journey.

• It is portable.

• It has less weight ranging from 0.8 kg to 3.8 kg.

• Laptop may be battery powered, AC powered or both.

Note Book Computer

• These are smaller versions of Laptop.

• It can fit in a briefcase.

• Portability is more compared to Laptop

Sub Note Book Computer

• These are even smaller than Notebooks.

• Most of them look like big calculator.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

• These are much smaller than sub notebooks.

• They combine pen input, writing recognition etc.

• A handheld device that combines computing,

telephone/fax, Internet and networking features.

• Personal information manager to record telephone

no addresses, appointments and to do list.
Palm Top

• Compact in size.

• All functions are not possible.

Mini Computers / Mid-Range Computers

• These computers were developed by the year 1960.

• These are more powerful, faster and costlier than

microcomputers.

• These are designed to serve multiple users.

• It can support several users at a time, with multi terminal time

sharing system.

• If there are 80-100 online current users in a database

environment, we cannot go for a mainframe and a
microcomputer is small to handle the situation. In such case
minicomputer will be more suitable
Mini Computers / Mid-Range Computers

• It is more powerful compared to microcomputer, in terms

of processing power and capabilities.

• Greater storage capacity and larger memories.

• Mini Computers usually kept as server.

• Speed 500 kilo instructions per second.

• Storage 256 kb to 1024 kb.

Mini Computers / Mid-Range Computers

• Word length 16 bits.

• Used for engineering, scientific calculations, industrial

control etc.

• It uses large peripheral devices such as large disks, Fast

line printers, laser printers and magnetic tapes.
•
• It costs around 30 to 40 lakhs.

• Eg:- IBM 600. AS/400

Main frame Computers
• These are more powerful, costly and faster than mini computers.

• They are designed to handle large volume of data and

information.

• Larger memory capacity

• Special room is required for installation.

• Proper air conditioning and uninterrupted power supply is a

must.

• Can connect 1000's of computers as online.

Main frame Computers
• Speed 1000 to 10000 kb instructions per second.

• word length 32 to 60 bits

• Storage - 2 MB to 16 MB per second

• Used for scientific engineering, railway reservation,

airline reservations etc.

• Eg:- ES 9000, S 390

Super Computers
• Super computers are the most powerful computers among digital
computers.

• The term “Super computer” is used for computers with greatest

operating speed and computational power.

• These are the fastest calculating device.

• Speed is measured in terms of nano seconds and in pico seconds.

• They are multiprocessor system.

• They are capable of solving very sophisticated problems.

Super Computers

• Most super computers are used by government agencies

• They are 5 times as faster as mainframe computers.

• Used for Scientific applications, Space research, Weather

forecasting, Nuclear energy, Defense, Air Traffic Control, oil
reservoir modeling etc.

• Performance is higher compared to mainframe computers.

• It can handle Millions of Floating Point Instructions Per

Second (MFPS).
Super Computers
• Large space is required for keeping a super computer.

• Speed 10000 kilo instructions per second.

• Storage 8 MB to 16 MB per second.

• Word length 64 to 96 bytes.

• Eg:- Param 10000, Anurag, cray X-MP/14, FUJITSU VP-400 ETC.

• Param and Anurag are supercomputers developed by India and

are exported to many European countries.
On the basis of Number of Users.

• In this computers can be classified into,

Single user and Multi user

Single User

• Also known as personal computer in which

only one user can do the job at a time.

• They are further classified as PC, PC -XT, PC-AT.

Multi User

• It is special type of computer system that

supports advanced configuration like
multiprocessing or parallel processing
techniques.

• This type of computer always controlled by an

enhanced and complex operating system.

• More than two users can work at time.