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Computer Types and Uses

Computers are classified according to their purpose, the type of signals they use, and their size/processing power. Special purpose computers are dedicated to a single task, while general purpose computers can perform multiple functions. Analog computers use continuously varying signals, digital computers use discrete high/low signals, and hybrid computers use both. Computers are also classified as microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, or supercomputers based on their size and processing capabilities, with mainframes being the largest commercial computers that can support multiple users simultaneously.

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171 views3 pages

Computer Types and Uses

Computers are classified according to their purpose, the type of signals they use, and their size/processing power. Special purpose computers are dedicated to a single task, while general purpose computers can perform multiple functions. Analog computers use continuously varying signals, digital computers use discrete high/low signals, and hybrid computers use both. Computers are also classified as microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, or supercomputers based on their size and processing capabilities, with mainframes being the largest commercial computers that can support multiple users simultaneously.

Uploaded by

Rizwan Sanny
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Classification of Computers

Computers are classified according to the following criteria:


Criteria-I: According to purpose it is used
(i) Special Purpose Computers:
Special purpose computers are single purpose computers. These
computers are dedicatedly used to serve only that purpose. Example-
speedometer, thermometer, sphygmomanometer, barometer etc.
(ii) General Purpose Computers:
General purpose computers are multi purpose computers These
computers are versatilly used to serve more than one purposes. Example-
Desktop, laptop, palmtop etc.
Criteria-II: According to signal It uses to represent and process its data
(i) Analog Computers:
Analog computers are special purpose computers. By analog signal
we mean a continuously varying signal. These computers use some physical
parameters such as speed, temperature, pressure etc. to generate necessary
analog signal. Example- speedometer, thermometer, sphygmomanometer,
barometer etc.
(ii) Digital Computers:
Digital computers are general purpose computers. By digital signal we
mean a discrete signal. Discrete signals are two states such as high(1)
and low(0) signals. These computers use these two states to represent
and process its data. Example- Desktop, laptop, palmtop etc.
(iii) Hybrid Computers:
Hybrid computers use both analog signal and digital signal to represent
and process its data. These computers are rarely used in our daily life.
They can be used in battle field, space, weapon testing, research etc.

Criteria-III: According to size and processing power digital computers


(i) Micro-computers:
Micro-computers are microprocessor based computers. That is, the CPU
or processor of a micro-computer is called microprocessor. These
computers are used in home, office, academic institute, research,
business and so on.
(ii) Mini-computers:
Mini-computers are larger in size and higher in processing power than
micro-computers. These computers are used in industry to control the
quality of products. These can also be used in research and business.
(i) Mainframe Computers:
Mainframe computers are largest commercial purpose computers. These
computers are multi-user computers. That is, here more than one user
can use the single mainframe (CPU) in time sharing basis. These
computers are used to handle very large database. These can also be
used in research. Terminal = Input-Output devices
(keyboard, mouse, monitor)
Terminal-2

Terminal-1 Mainframe Terminal-3

Terminal-4

Figure. A Mainframe computer system.

(ii) Super-computers:
Super-computers are largest in size and highest in processing power
than all other type of computers. These computers are not frequently
used in our daily life. These can be used in satellite, weather forecasting,
weapon testing, battle field, game playing and so on.

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