Classififcation of computers-

Computers differ based on their data processing abilities.

1. On the basis of size.
2. On the basis of functionality.
3. On the basis of data handling.
According to purpose, computers are either general purpose or specific purpose. General
purpose computers are designed to perform a range of tasks. They have the ability to store
numerous programs, but lack in speed and efficiency.
Specific purpose computers are designed to handle a specific problem or to perform a specific
task. A set of instructions is built into the machine.

-According to Functionality, computers are analog, digital or hybrid.

Analog Computer

An analog computer (spelt analogue in British English) is a form of computer that

uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to
model the problem being solved.
Analog computers work on the principle of measuring, in which the measurements obtained are
translated into data. Modern analog computers usually employ electrical parameters, such as
voltages, resistances or currents, to represent the quantities being manipulated. Such computers
do not deal directly with the numbers. They measure continuous physical magnitudes. An analog
computer is a form of computer that uses the continuously-changeable aspects of physical fact
such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved. Any
thing that is variable with respect to time and continuous can be claimed as analog just like an
analog clock measures time by means of the distance traveled for the spokes of the clock around
the circular dial.
Digital Computer-

A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as
digits, usually in the binary number system of “0” and “1”, “Computer capable of solving
problems by processing information expressed in discrete form. from manipulation of the
combinations of the binary digits, it can perform mathematical calculations, organize and analyze
data, control industrial and other processes, and simulate dynamic systems such as global
weather patterns.
A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as
digits, usually in the binary number system
Digital computers are those that operate with information, numerical or otherwise, represented
in a digital form. Such computers process data into a digital value (in 0s and 1s). They give the
results with more accuracy and at a faster rate.

Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital)

 A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital
and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost effective method of
performing complex simulations.
Hybrid computers incorporate the measuring feature of an analog computer and counting
feature of a digital computer. For computational purposes, these computers use analog
components and for storage, digital memories are used.
On the basis of Size: Type of Computer
1.Super Computer
The fastest and most powerful type of computer Supercomputers are very expensive and are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical
calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer.
The super computers are the most performing system. A supercomputer is a computer with a high
level of performance compared to a general-purpose computer. The actual Performance of a
supercomputer is measured in FLOPS instead of MIPS. All of the world’s fastest 500
supercomputers run Linux-based operating systems. Additional research is being conducted in
China, the US, the EU, Taiwan and Japan to build even faster, more high performing and more
technologically superior supercomputers. Supercomputers actually play an important role in the
field of computation, and are used for intensive computation tasks in various fields, including
quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular
modeling, and physical simulations. and also Throughout the history, supercomputers have been
essential in the field of the cryptanalysis.
eg: PARAM, jaguar, roadrunner.
Supercomputers are used in animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy
research, and petroleum exploration.
The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer channels
all its power into executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its
power to execute many programs concurrently.
2. Mainframe Computer
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of
users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in watches, for
example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below
supercomputers. 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.

3. Mini Computer
A mid sized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie
between workstations and mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large
minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small
minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing system
capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.
These computers came into the market in mid 1960s and were sold at a much cheaper price than
the main frames, they were actually designed for control, instrumentation, human interaction,
and communication switching as distinct from calculation and record keeping, later they became
very popular for personal uses with evolution.
In the 60s to describe the smaller computers that became possible with the use of transistors and
core memory technologies, minimal instructions sets and less expensive peripherals such as the
ubiquitous Teletype Model 33 ASR.They usually took up one or a few inch rack cabinets,
compared with the large mainframes that could fill a room, there was a new term
“MINICOMPUTERS” coined
Eg: Personal Laptop, PC etc.

4.Micro Computer or Personal Computer-

A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as its CPU.
It includes a microprocessor, memory, and minimal I/O circuitry mounted on a single printed
circuit board.The previous to these computers, mainframes and minicomputers, were
comparatively much larger, hard to maintain and more expensive. They actually formed the
foundation for present day microcomputers and smart gadgets that we use in day to day life.
Eg: Tablets, Smartwatches.

• Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a desk.

• Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated screen and keyboard. It is
generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than a notebook computer.
• Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer. Palmtops have
no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device.
5. Workstations
A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a generic term
for a user’s machine (client machine) in contrast to a “server” or “mainframe.”
Classification on the basis of functionality
1.Servers : Servers are the dedicated computers which are set-up to offer some services to the
clients. They are named depending on the type of service they offered. Eg: security server,
database server.

2.Workstation : Those are the computers designed to primarily to be used by single user at a
time. They run multi-user operating systems. They are the ones which we use for our day to day
personal / commercial work.
3.Information Appliances : They are the portable devices which are designed to perform a
limited set of tasks like basic calculations, playing multimedia, browsing internet etc. They are
generally referred as the mobile devices. They have very limited memory and flexibility and
generally run on “as-is” basis.
4.Embedded computers : They are the computing devices which are used in other machines to
serve limited set of requirements. They follow instructions from the non-volatile memory and
they are not required to execute reboot or reset. The processing units used in such device work to
those basic requirements only and are different from the ones that are used in personal
computers- better known as workstations.