Types of Computers

The types of computers range from the Hybrid to the Analog types. The computers you come across
in the daily course of your day range from laptops, palmtops and towers, to desktop computers, to
name a few. But the very word "computers" reminds one of the desktop computers used in offices or
homes. Different categories of computes have been devised in keeping with our varied needs.
The Types Of Computers:Analog and Hybrid (classification based on operational principle)

Analog Computers : The analog computer is almost an extinct type of computer these days.
It is different from a digital computer in respect that it can perform numerous mathematical
operations simultaneously. It is also unique in terms of operation as it utilizes continuous variables
for the purpose of mathematical computation. It utilizes mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical energy
or operation.

Hybrid computers : These types of computers are, as the name suggests, a combination of
both Analog and Digital computers.
The Digital computers which work on the principle of binary digit system of "0" and "1" can give
very precise results. But the problem is that they are too slow and incapable of large scale
mathematical operation. In the hybrid types of computers the Digital counterparts convert the analog
signals to perform Robotics and Process control.
Apart from this, computers are also categorized on the basis of physical structures and the purpose of
their use. Based on Capacity, speed and reliability they can be divided into three categories of
computers :

1.

The Mainframe Computer : These are computers used by large organizations like
meteorological surveys and statistical institutes for performing bulk mathematical computations.
They are core computers which are used for desktop functions of over one hundred people
simultaneously.

2.

The Microcomputer : These are the most frequently used computers better known by the
name of "Personal computers". This is the type of computer meant for public use. Other than
Desktop Computer the choice ranges as follows :
Personal Digital Computer
Tablet PC
Towers
Work Stations
Laptops
Hand Held Computer

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3.

The Mini computer : Mini computers like the mainframe computers are used by business
organization. The difference being that it can support the simultaneous working of up to 100 users
and is usually maintained in business organizations for the maintenance of accounts and finances.
Yet another category of computer is the Super Computers. It is somewhat similar to mainframe
computers and is used in economic forecasts and engineering designs.
Today life without computers is inconceivable. Usage of different types of computers has made life

both smooth and fast paced.

Analog Computers :
Analog Computers and Digital computers are the two kinds of computers, the combination of which
is responsible for the invention of the modern Hybrid computers.
The analog systems carry out arithmetic and logical operations by manipulating and processing data
which you input such as the weight, temperature, voltage, power density, etc. But unlike the digital
computer that changes all inputs to binary digits of "1" and "0", the analog computer does not change
inputted data to any such sign language.
The analog computer has become obsolete type of computer these days. It is different from a digital
computer as it can perform numerous mathematical operations simultaneously. The digital
computers, however could not operate the more complex operations. The Analog System is also
unique in terms of operation as it utilizes continuous variables for the purpose of mathematical
computation. It utilizes mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical energy or operation.

Mathematical Principles Applied For The Data Processing In Analog Computers :

Logarithm
Summation
Exponentiation
Calculus
Multiplication and Division
Inversion
The analog computer which is a complex machine is an integration of various mechanical parts
which has pipes, valves, levers, gears and several key parts which can be named as follows :

Fixed function generators

Operational amplifiers
Potentiometers
Integrators
Advantages and Disadvantages of Analog Computers :
The advantage of an analog computer is that it can simultaneously find solutions to several
mathematical problems and that too while being precise unlike the digital computer. But it is not free
of drawbacks. Unlike the digital computer it lacks speed of calculation. There are other functional
problems which mar the efficiency of analog systems. Of these, the problems of non-linearities,
temperature co-efficient, parasitic effects and noise floor are the main problems so to say.
Digital Computers :
Digital Computers are that kind of computing machines which work on the principle of binary
mathematics. Digital computing machines when clubbed with Analog computers produce Hybrid
computers. The digital systems work on the principle of binary mathematics. In binary mathematics
all calculations are represented through "0" and "1".
You have often heard about the word "Byte", "Mega Byte", "Kilo Byte". But what is a Byte? A single
Byte is a group of 8 numbers or bits represented through a code series comprising of "0" and "1"
.The combination of the digital signal can solve a number of mathematical operations. It is
interesting to note that the fundamentals of mathematics applied are addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. But the chief problem is that though it can solve mathematical problems

at a tremendous speed, it cannot perform bulk operations simultaneously. For this purpose, digital
systems by themselves cannot give very precise results. Hence, for greater efficiency, the Digital
systems do not find much application.
Data Processing In Digital Computers :
Digital computers function with the help of logic circuits. A reliable oscillator helps in the proper
synchronization of various logic circuits that are responsible for processing data in the digital
computers. In better quality computers, the oscillation rate might even be a billion cycles per second.
Operating at such high speed, it can process more than billions of logic and arithmetic problems.
Mainframe Computer :
Mainframes are computers that are the most bulky types and with the advancement of technology,
they have almost become extinct. Computers are of three types - Mainframe computers,
Minicomputers and Microcomputers. Mainframe computer systems can be called the predecessor of
servers because they could actually support multi users though as efficiently as the servers. Usually, a
main frame would occupy an entire room and could cost over million dollars.
Used for the purpose of research, engineering works, meteorological calculations, graphics and the
likes, mainframes today constitutes Unix, Linux, and IBM's z/OS, OS/390, MVS, VM, and VSE.
Mainframe systems were manufactured extensively throughout the 1950s and were marketed by
IBM, Control Data, General Electric, NCR, UNIVAC, Honeywell, RC, and Burroughs.

The three important Features ofmainframe Computers :

Mainframes provide for maximum I/O connectivity as they accommodate huge disc farms.
Mainframes excel in providing maximum I/O band width. Interestingly in spite of all the
connected drives connected to the mainframe system, no data blocking ever happens to mar its
efficiency.
Mainframe systems also provide for very good single thread operations.
The Mini computers are a less bulky version of the mainframe computers. Minicomputers are used
by business organization. The difference being that it can support the simultaneous working of up to
100 users and is usually maintained in business organizations for the maintenance ofaccounts and
finances. Besides,there are personal computers or microcomputers. The micro computers include
Desktop PC s, Laptops, Handheld computers, Tablet PC s, workstations, palmtops, etc. These are the
most frequently used computers.
Minicomputers :
Minicomputers, what exactly are they? If supercomputers and mainframes are considered to be the
best in terms of mathematical operations then minicomputer systems succeed them.
Previously,minicomputers were considered to be superior to personal systems. But these days,
advancement intechnology has made minicomputers almost obsolete because the PCs today are
highly advanced.
The Minicomputers were first built in in 1960s and they immediately became a huge success as
40,000 of the minicomputer systems were immediately sold of making the computers hugely
available to the general public. With such a successful market possibility many companies stepped in
to venture in the minicomputer market. The most successful among these two hundred companies
was DEC that launched the minicomputer models PDP-11 and VAX 11/780.
Some significant aspects and historical facts about the mini computer system has been summarized
as follows :

They are much smaller in size than the mainframe computer systems. As such they do not
occupy an entire room but usually occupy space similar in size to that of a standard refrigerator.
They are much less expensive than the mainframes.
Their invention was possible because of the invention of core memory technologies and
transistors.
Minicomputers can can give parallel access to up to 100 users. Hence they were used in
places such as business organizations for maintaining billings and finances.
Some of the very first companies to manufacture the minicomputer systems were Hewlett
Packard, DEC and Data General.
A few models of minicomputers which have been a marked success over the years are :
DEC VAX series and PDP series
Hewlett Packard HP3000 series
SDS,SDS-92
Prime Computers, Prime 50 Series
Norsk Data, Nord-1, Nord-10, Nord-100
IBM Midrange Computers
Control Data Corporation's CDC 160A, CDC-1700
Data General Nova
Honeywell-Bull Level 6/DPS Level6/DPS 6000 series
Minicomputershave eventually evolved in to microcomputers. With the launch of microcomputers,
thepublic have had a greater access to the advantage of incorporating computers in the daily stride of
their lives.
Supercomputers :
Supercomputers are one of the many types of modern computing machines which are capable of
giving very speedy calculations. It is because of their high speed processing ability that
Supercomputer systems are used in such works as animation graphics, weather forecasting, nuclear
research work, petroleum research works, crypt analysis, molecular modeling and the likes. You must
be wondering then what is the difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe computer
system? While Mainframe machines are primarily used for a number of purposes, supercomputers
are so designed to serve a singular purpose.

A brief time line ofthe development of supercomputers has been given as follows :
1960s : Seymour Cray of Control Data Corporation (CDC) launches the Supercomputer
systems.
1970s : Cray Research isfounded by Seymour Cray after he leaves Control Data Corporation
(CDC). Most supercomputers were meant for running vector processor.
1985-1990 : Cray's model of supercomputer takes over the market.
Today, supercomputers are designed by such companies as HP, IBM and of course, Cray Inc.
Supercomputer systems are now becoming almost the same as laptop computers and desktop
systems.
Before the 1970s, supercomputers were mostly run on scalar process principle. But in order to
improve its efficiency a number of new technologies were developed such as :

Liquid Cooling
Striped Disks (RAID)
Parallel File systems
Non-uniform memory access (NUMA)
Vector Processing

When the hardwares of the supercomputers are prepared to serve a special mathematical operation,
they are called Special Supercomputers. Currently there are many such types of supercomputers as
the GRAPE for molecular dynamics and astrophysics, Deep Crack for cracking DES cipher, Deep
Blue for playing chess, etc.