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Computer Classification, by Size and Power: Display Screen Printer

The document defines a computer and its basic components which include memory, mass storage, input and output devices. It also classifies computers by size from personal computers to supercomputers.

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partcamille
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48 views

Computer Classification, by Size and Power: Display Screen Printer

The document defines a computer and its basic components which include memory, mass storage, input and output devices. It also classifies computers by size from personal computers to supercomputers.

Uploaded by

partcamille
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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output device: a display screen, printer,

or other device that lets you see what the


computer has accomplished.
central processing unit (CPU): the
heart of the computer, this is the component
that actually executes instructions.
In addition to these components, many others make it
possible for the basic components to work together
efficiently. For example, every computer requires
a bus that transmits data from one part of the
computer to another.

Computer Classification, By
Size and Power
Computers can be generally classified by size and
power as follows, though there is considerable
overlap:

What is a Computer?
A computer is a programmable machine. The two
principal characteristics of a computer are: it responds
to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined
manner and it can execute a prerecorded list of
instructions (a program).

Modern Computers Defined


Modern computers are electronic and digital. The
actual machinery -- wires,transistors, and circuits -- is
called hardware; the instructions and data are
called software.
All general-purpose computers require the following
hardware components:
memory: enables a computer to store, at
least temporarily, data and programs.
mass storage device: allows a
computer to permanently retain large
amounts of data. Common mass storage
devices include disk drives and tape drives.
input device: usually
a keyboard and mouse, the input device is
the conduit through which data and
instructions enter a computer.

personal computer: a small, singleuser computer based on amicroprocessor. In


addition to the microprocessor, a personal
computer has a keyboard for entering data,
a monitor for displaying information, and
a storage device for saving data.
workstation: a powerful, single-user
computer. A workstation is like a personal
computer, but it has a more powerful
microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
minicomputer: a multi-user computer
capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of
users simultaneously.
mainframe: a powerful multi-user
computer capable of supporting many
hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
supercomputer: an extremely fast
computer that can perform hundreds of
millions of instructions per second.

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