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ISLAMABAD MODEL COLLEGE F72 ISLAMABAD

ASSIGNMENT NO 1
TOPIC: WHAT IS COMPUTER AND CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
SUBMITTED BY
LARAIB ISHTIAQ QURESHI
ROLL NO
23BP032
SUBMITTED TO
MAM SAIRA
MAM SADAF
DISCIPLINE
BS PSYCHOLOGY SEMESTER 3
SUBJECT
COMPUTER
DATE OF SUBMISSION
23 SEP 2024
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What is Computer?

C
omputer is a programmable electronic device that accepts raw data as input and
processes it with a set of instructions (a program) to produce the result as output. It
renders output just after performing mathematical and logical operations and can save
the output for future use. It can process numerical as well as non-numerical calculations. The
term “computer” is derived from the Latin word “computare” which means to calculate.
A computer is designed to execute applications and provides a variety of solutions through
integrated hardware and software components. It works with the help of programs and represents
the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits. It also has a memory that stores the data,
programs, and result of processing. The components of a computer such as machinery that
includes wires, transistors, circuits, hard disk are called hardware. Whereas, the programs and
data are called software.
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Computer Classification
A computer is a device that transforms unusable data into information. According to the set of
instructions the user gives it, it processes the input and generates the desired outcome. Modern
digital computers are classified on the basis of their size and capacity. The size and data handling
capabilities of the various types of computers may be used to categorize them into two groups.1.
Computers according to Size:
1. Supercomputer
2. Mainframe computer
3. Minicomputer
4. Microcomputer

1. Supercomputer:
The most efficient computers in terms of processing data and performance
are supercomputers. These computers are used for research and exploratory
purposes. Supercomputers are exceedingly large and highly expensive. It can
only fit in large, air-conditioned spaces. Supercomputers are used for a range
of tasks, such as space exploration, seismic research, and the testing of
nuclear weapons.
Supercomputer Features
 They make use of AI (Artificial intelligence)
 They are the fastest and strongest
 They are very costly.
 They are enormous in size.
 They are employed by companies that manufacture goods.
 They process information at a rapid rate.
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2. Mainframe Computer:
Despite being less efficient than supercomputers, mainframe computers are
nevertheless extremely expensive. Large corporations and governmental
organizations frequently employ mainframe computers to run everyday
operations. They have the ability to store and analyze a lot of data. To
maintain information on their customers, students, and insurance
policyholders, banks, colleges, and insurance companies utilize them. They
may also act as a server in a network environment. Hundreds of users may
be managed simultaneously by them.
Mainframe Computer Features:
 They have enormous amounts of memory.
 They are capable of running several different operating systems.
 They have a significant number of CPUs with powerful processing
speeds.
 Tightly Coupled Clustering Technology is employed.
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3. Minicomputer:
Minicomputers are used by small businesses and industries. They go by the term
"Midrange Computers." These minicomputers frequently have several users, just as
mainframe computers. They are a bit slower than mainframe computers
For example, the manufacturing department may employ minicomputers to keep an eye
on specific production processes.
Features of Minicomputers:
 It is smaller than mainframes or supercomputers in terms of size.
 In comparison to a mainframe or supercomputer, it is less costly
 It is able to perform many jobs at once
 It may be utilized by several users simultaneously. It is utilized by small
businesses.
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4. Microcomputer:
A microcomputer, sometimes referred to as a personal computer (PC), is a type of
computer that runs on a smaller scale than traditional computers (Personal Computer). A
component that is commonly referred to as a motherboard houses the central processing
unit (CPU), a microprocessor, memory in the form of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM
(Random Access Memory), I/O ports, and a bus system of connecting wires. They are the
most affordable.
Features of Microcomputers:
 They are extensively employed for personal usage
 They are smaller and comparably less expensive
 Multi-user functionality is not supported.
 It has a limited computational capacity
 They are quite simple to use.
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