Computers on The Basis of Purpose

1. General Purpose
General computers can do various everyday tasks such as writing a word processing letter, Document
preparation, recording, financial analysis, Printing documents, creating databases, and calculations with
accuracy and consistency. The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers are mainly less. The
ability of these computers is limited in performing specialized tasks. Examples: Desktops, laptops,
smartphones, and tablets are used on daily basis for general purposes.

2. Special Purpose
These computers are designed to perform a particular or specialized task. The size, storage capacity, and
cost of such computers mainly depend on the nature and size of the work. The function of these
computers is consistent with any particular task. These computers are used for special
purposes in weather forecasting, space research, agriculture, engineering, meteorology, satellite
operation, traffic control, and research in chemical sciences.

Examples:
 Automatic teller machines (ATM),
 Washing machines,
 Surveillance equipment,
 Weather-forecasting simulators,
 Traffic-control computers,

Computers On The Basis Of Hardware Design and Data Handling.

1. Analog Computer
An analog computer performs tasks using continuous data (the physical amount that changes
continuously). They are used primarily to measure physical units like the voltage, pressure, electric
current, temperature, and convert them into digits. It is also used to measure and perform arithmetic
calculations of numbers, the length of an object, or the amount of voltage that passes through a point in
an electrical circuit. They are used in the fields of technology, science, research, engineering, etc.

Examples:
An analog computer installed on a petrol pump measures the amount of petrol coming out of the pump
and appears in liters. And calculates its value. These quantities vary continuously while measuring the
amount, such as the temperature of a human body changes consistently.
A simple clock, the vehicle’s speedometer, Voltmeter, etc. are examples of analog computing.

2. Digital Computer
It represents the digital computer’s letters, numerical values, or any other special symbols. They run on
electronic signs, and the binary numeral method Binary System 0 or 1 is used for calculation. The ir speed
is fast. It can perform arithmetic operations such as addition, occurrence, subtraction, multiplication, or
division and all types of logical (mathematical) operations. Digital computers use discrete electrical
signals for operation they are the most common form of computers today because of their versatility,
speed, and power. The desktop or Laptop at our home is one the common and best example of a digital
computer.
3. Hybrid Computer
A hybrid computer is a combined complex computer unit built using both analog and digital properties
and united by a single control system. The purpose of designing hybrid computers is to provide functions
and features that can be found on both analog and digital devices. The aim behind creating a hybrid
computer is to create a kind of work unit that offers the best of both types of computers. Hybrid
computers are extremely fast when driving equations, even when those calculations are incredibly
complex.

Applications of hybrid Computer:

Hybrid computers are most commonly used in vast industries, research centers, organizations, and
manufacturing firms (where many equations need to be solved).
Also, the solutions and uses of hybrid computers have proved to be much more detailed, accurate, and
useful.

DATA AND INFORMATION

What is Data?
Data is a collection of raw, unorganized facts and details like text, observations, figures, symbols and
descriptions of things etc. In other words, data does not carry any specific purpose and has no
significance by itself. Moreover, data is measured in terms of bits and bytes – which are basic units of
information in the context of computer storage and processing.

What is Information?
Information is processed, organized and structured data. It provides context for data and enables
decision making. For example, a single customer’s sale at a restaurant is data – this becomes
information when the business is able to identify the most popular or least popular dish. In simple
terms, we can conclude that data is an unorganized description of raw facts from which information can
be extracted.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DATA AND INFORMATION

Data Information
Data is unorganized and unrefined facts Information comprises processed, organized
. data presented in a meaningful context
Data is an individual unit that contains raw materials
which do not carry any specific meaning. Information is a group of data that collectively
. carries a logical meaning.

Data doesn’t depend on information. Information depends on data.

Raw data alone is insufficient for decision making Information is sufficient for decision making
 BIT AND BYTE
The main difference between Bit and Byte is that the size of the file or the amount of information it
contains. A bit is the smallest unit of computer memory, and it has the capacity to store a maximum of
two different values, while a byte, which is composed of eight bits, has the potential to store a
maximum of 256 distinct values.
A bit is an abbreviation for a Binary Digit. In other words, the only two numbers in binary are a 0 and a 1.
A computer communicates in digital form, turning information into bits (short for binary digits), which
are nothing more than a collection of 0’s and 1’s, which are used to represent the information. A byte is
described as “a unit of memory or data equal to the amount of data required to repre sent one
character; on contemporary architectures, this is always 8 bits.”

Comparison Table between Bit and Byte

Parameters of
Bit Byte
Comparison

In computers, a bit is the smallest unit of

Size of Unit A byte is made up of 8 bits.
data that can be represented.

A maximum of two values may be expressed

Values A byte may hold 256 distinct values.
using a bit.

Represented Lowercase b. Uppercase B.

Only 1’s and 0’s are stored in the computer’s The alphabet and additional special
Storage
memory. characters are all covered.

A kilobit (kb), megabit (Mb), gigabit (Gb), A kilobyte (KB), megabyte(MB), gigabyte
Different Sizes
terabit (Tb) (GB), terabyte (TB)

What is Bit?
Computers, on the other hand, do not represent numbers in the same manner that we do. We utilize
the decimal system, which uses ten digits to represent numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
Modern computers utilize a two-digit binary format to represent numbers (0 and 1).
That process is reflected in this symbol, which represents one unit of information representing either
a zero (no charge) or a one (full charge) (a completed, charged circuit).

ANALOG AND DIGITAL SIGNALS

Analog and digital signals are the types of signals carrying information. The major difference between
both signals is that the analog signals have continuous electrical signals, while digital signals have non -
continuous electrical signals. The difference between analog and digital signal can be observed with the
various examples of different types of waves.
What are Analog Signals?
The analog signals were used in many systems to produce signals to carry information. These signals are
continuous in both values and time. The use of analog signals has been declined with the arrival of
digital signals. In short, to understand analog signals – all signals that are natural or come naturally are
analog signals.

What are Digital Signals?

Unlike analog signals, digital signals are not continuous, but signals are discrete in value and time. These
signals are represented by binary numbers and consist of different voltage values.

Difference Between Analog And Digital Signal

Analog Signals Digital Signals

Conti nuous signals Di s crete signals

Represented by s ine waves Represented by s quare waves

Huma n voi ce, natural sound, a nalog electronic devices are a few Computers, optical drives, and other electronic devi ces
exa mples

Conti nuous range of va lues Di s continuous va lues

Records sound waves as they a re Converts i nto a binary waveform.

Onl y us ed i n a nalog devi ces. Sui ted for digital electronics l ike computers, mobiles a nd more.