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Chapter 03 - Classification of Computers

Computers can be classified in three main ways - by type, purpose, and size/capacity. By type includes digital, analog, and hybrid computers. By purpose includes special and general purpose computers. By size/capacity ranges from supercomputers, which are the most powerful, to mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, and microcomputers like personal computers.

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akila Induranga
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237 views27 pages

Chapter 03 - Classification of Computers

Computers can be classified in three main ways - by type, purpose, and size/capacity. By type includes digital, analog, and hybrid computers. By purpose includes special and general purpose computers. By size/capacity ranges from supercomputers, which are the most powerful, to mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, and microcomputers like personal computers.

Uploaded by

akila Induranga
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 3

Classification of Computers
Outline

• Classification of Computers
– By Type
– By Purpose
– By Size/ Capacity
Classification of Computers

• There are basically three main ways to


classify computers.

• These are:
– By Type
– By Purpose
– By Size/ Capacity
Classification of Computers – By Type

• There are three main types of computers


under this class.
– Digital computers
– Analogue computers
– Hybrid computers
By Type - Digital Computers

• These are computers that represent data


/information in a binary form.

• That is they represent signals in just two


states. 0s and 1s are used during data
communication.
By Type - Digital Computers

• Examples of digital computers


– Desktop computers
– Laptop computers
– Mobile phones
– iPads
– iPhones
– Scientific calculators
By Type - Analog Computers

• These computers represent data/information


in a continuous form.

• That is there are no breaks during signal


transmission. They represent information by
processing measurable physical quantities.
By Type - Analog Computers

• Examples of analog computers


– Speedometer
– Thermometer
– Conventional watch
By Type - Hybrid Computers

• These computers exhibit features of


analogue computers and digital computers.

• The digital component normally serves as the


controller and provides logical operations,
while the analogue component normally serves
as a solver of different equations.
By Type - Hybrid Computers

• Examples of hybrid computers


– Automated teller machine (ATM)
– Electrocardiogram
Classification of Computers – By Purpose

• Computers can also be classified according


to the purpose or application.

• There are two main groups under this


category:
– Special purpose
– General purpose
By Purpose - Special Purpose

• A computer is said to be special purpose if it


is designed to solve a specific class of
problem for which it was made.

• Examples of special purpose computers


– Computers for chemical processes.
– Computers in digital watches.
By Purpose - General Purpose

• A general purpose computer is not limited to


the number of applications it can be used
for.
Classification of Computers – By Size/Capacity

• The capacity of a computer refers to the


volume of data or information it can process
or store and the processing power at which
it works.
Classification of Computers – By Size/Capacity

• There are five main groups under this category:

Top • Supercomputers

• Mainframe Computers

• Minicomputers

• Workstations

Bottom • Microcomputers, or Personal


Computers
By Size/Capacity - Supercomputers

• Supercomputers are the most powerful (fastest)


computers.

• Very expensive and use for specialized applications


that require immense amount of mathematical
calculations.

• Because of their size and expense, supercomputers


are relatively rare.
By Size/Capacity - Supercomputers

• Supercomputers are used by universities, government


agencies, and large businesses.

• Applications – weather forecasting, nuclear energy


research and animated graphics etc.

• Supercomputers introduced in the 1960s were


designed primarily by Seymour Cray.
By Size/Capacity - Supercomputers
By Size/Capacity - Mainframe Computers

• Mainframe computers can support hundreds or


thousands of users, handling massive amounts of input,
output and storage.

• Mainframe computers are used in large organizations


where many users need access to shared data and
programs (census data processing and banking data
processing).

• Very large and expensive.


By Size/Capacity - Mainframe Computers

• Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers,


handling transactions over the Internet.

• The name comes from the way the machine is build


up: all units (processing, communication etc.) were
hung into a frame. Thus the main computer is build
into a frame, therefore: Mainframe.
By Size/Capacity - Mainframe Computers
By Size/Capacity - Mainframe Computers
• Nearly all mainframes have the ability to run multiple
operating systems and thereby operate not as a
single computer but as a number of virtual machines.

• Can replace dozens or even hundreds of smaller


servers.

• In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than


supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can
execute a single program faster than a mainframe.

• The distinction between small mainframes and


minicomputers is vague, depending really on how the
manufacturer wants to market its machines.
By Size/Capacity - Minicomputers

• Lie between workstations and mainframes.

• Minicomputers may be used as network servers and


Internet servers.

• Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals.

• A minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of


supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.
By Size/Capacity – Workstations

• Workstations are powerful single-user computers.

• Workstations are used for tasks that require a great


deal of number-crunching power, such as product design
and computer animation.

• Workstations are often used as network and Internet


servers.

• In terms of computing power, workstations lie between


personal computers and minicomputers, although the line
is fuzzy on both ends. High-end personal computers are
equivalent to low-end workstations. And high-end
workstations are equivalent to minicomputers.
By Size/Capacity – Workstations
By Size/Capacity –
Microcomputers or Personal Computers

• Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal


computers. The term "PC" is applied to IBM-PCs or compatible
computers.

• Full-size desktop computers are the most common type of PC.

• Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the


power of a desktop system, but also portability.

• Handheld PCs (such as PDAs) lack the power of a desktop or


notebook PC, but offer features for users who need limited
functions and small size.

• A microcomputer contains a CPU on a microchip (the


microprocessor), a memory system (typically ROM and RAM), a
bus system and I/O ports, typically housed in a motherboard.
Summary
• Supercomputers are the most powerful computers
• Mainframe computers handle massive amounts of
input, output and storage for multiple users
• Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger
than microcomputers.
• Workstations are powerful single-user computers that
are used by engineers, scientists and graphic artists.
• Microcomputers are the most commonly known as
personal computers. Desktop computers are the most
common type of personal computers.
• Notebook computers are used by people who need
portable computing power outside the office or away
from home.
• Handheld personal computers are the smallest
computing devices.

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