1

Fundamentals of Computers and IT

Paper Code 105
UNIT – 1

Classifications of Computers
2

Introduction to Computers and IT

UNIT – 1
Fundamentals of Computers:

Definition and Characteristics of Computer System, Computer Generation from First Generation to Fifth
Generation. Classifications of Computers: Micro, Mini, Mainframe and super computers.

Computer Hardware: Major Components of a digital computer, Block Diagram of a computer, Input-
output devices, Description of Computer Input Units, Output Units, CPU.

Computer Memory: Memory Hierarchy, Primary Memory - RAM and its types, ROM and its types,
Secondary Memory, Cache Memory, Secondary Storage Devices- Hard disk, Compact Disk, DVD, Flash
memory.
3 Introduction to Computers and IT
TEXT BOOKS

[TB1] P. K. Sinha & Priti Sinha , “Computer Fundamentals”, BPB Publications, 1992.
[TB2] Anita Goel “Computer Fundamentals”, Pearson.

REFERENCE BOOKS

[RB1] B. Ram Computer fundamentals Architecture and Organization, New Age Intl.
[RB2] Alex Leon & Mathews Leon, “Introduction to Computers”, Vikas Publishing .
[RB3] Norton Peter, “Introduction to computers”, 4th Ed., TMH, 2001.
[RB4] Vikas Gupta, “Comdex Computer Kit”, Wiley Dreamtech, Delhi, 2004.

•
 Learning Objectives
4

In this session you will learn about:

 Classification of computer system based on size, purpose and types

 Classification/Types of Computers
5
1. Based on Size and performance
• Microcomputers
➢ PC
➢ Laptop
➢ PDA
➢ Workstation
• Minicomputers
• Mainframe Computers
• Supercomputers

2. Based on purpose
• General purpose
• Special purpose

3. Based on type
• Analog
• Digital
• Hybrid
 Classification of Computers:
6 1. Based on Size and Performance (VVI)

Increasing
Micro computer
Minicomputer
size
Mainframe computer
Supercomputer and power
 i. Microcomputers
7
 A Microcomputer is a computer whose CPU is a microprocessor
which is located in one integrated micro chip or circuit/ single
IC-Chip  Example
IBM PCs, Apple Mac, IBM PS/2, All computer
 Micro computers are the smallest in size and they come in
available with Pentium Models etc.
different forms such as Desktop/PCs, Laptop computers, PDAs,
Workstations etc.
1. Desktops
 Also known as Personal Computers
 The main components are Monitor, CPU, Keyboard, Mouse,
Speakers, Modem and Printer
 This is the commonest computer seen everywhere in Schools for
learning purposes, Offices and homes
 Generally, they are single user system
 They are much slower than the larger computers, and they can
not store nearly as much information, but they are excellent
when used in small businesses, homes, and school classrooms
 These computers are inexpensive and easy to use
 This type of computers can use wide range of software
8 i. Microcomputers contd..
2. Workstations
 They are also desktop machine but are more powerful.
 Speed is about 10 times faster than the PCs.
 Mainly used by engineers, architects and other professionals who need detailed
graphic display.
 e.g are IBM, DEC, SUN Microsystems

3. Laptops/Notebook
 These computers are mobile computers, single user system, powered with battery
also.
 Uses similar hardware as the PC use, but for display purpose, it uses flat light-weighted
LCD instead of video monitor.
9 i. Microcomputers contd..

4. PDA s ( Personal Digital Assistant)

 It is much more smaller than PC s and Laptop.
 Can be held in one hand
 Basically used as notepad, scheduling system and address book
 It has limited memory and are less powered
 Do not have disk drives .
 E g CASIO, Apple’s PDA
10 ii. Minicomputers
 A midsized computer, also called mid-range servers  Example: PDP-11, VAX etc.
 More powerful than micro-computers
 In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and
mainframes.
 It is a multiuser and multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4
to about 200 users simultaneously.
 They perform same functions like the Mainframe computers both on a
smaller scale and capacity.
 The Minicomputer does not have any special environmental requirement
like the Mainframe computer so they can be located conveniently at
different offices in an organization.
 They are also much less expensive.
 Medium and small businesses typically use these computers.
 They have less memory & storage capacity than mainframe computers.
 Limited range of software can be used by them.
 The end users can directly operate it.
 They are used for data processing.
11 iii. Mainframe Computers
 The term mainframe is used for large and very powerful  They have large storage capacity.
 A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting  They can use wide variety of software.
hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously.
 They are not user friendly.
 Mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they
support more simultaneous programs.  Used in banks, Indian railways reservation
system etc
 Mainframe computers are very expensive to purchase and maintain.
 They are usually used by large organizations like Banks, government
of countries and large business concerns.
 These are multiuser, multiprogramming and high performance Example: IBM S/390, IBM S/709, ICL 39, CDC
computers capable of 1000 of uses to run the system simultaneously. 6600

 Uses parallel processor.

 Sensitive to temperature, humidity, dust etc. so They are housed in
dust free, cool environment and other regular computer
maintenance culture.
 Qualified & trained operators are required to operate them.
 iv. Super Computers Application
12 • Used to forecast the weather and
global climates
• Used in military research and defence
 These computers are the fastest and the most powerful systems
computers among all the digital computers • In automobile, aircraft, and space craft
designing
 Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed • Used in seismography, plasma and
for specialized applications that require immense nuclear research
amounts of mathematical calculations. • Study of genetic engineering
• Digital film recording etc.
 It is reputed to have more than fifty time speed than the
microcomputers.
Example
 It is called super computer because it can solve difficult C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced
and complex problem within a nano second. Computer) of India has developed PARAM
series of Super Computer. ANURAG is also
 It uses parallel processor to perform complex task. Indian Super Computer. Other Super
 The speed of the supercomputers are generally Computers are CRAY XMP/14, CDC-205 etc.
measured in FLOPS(Floating Point Operations Per Second) Mr. Seymour Cray was a pioneer person in the
e.g PARAM, ANURAG developed by Indian company C- field of supercomputer production. He had
DAC (Pune) whose speed is 1 tera flops which is equal to developed the first super computer Cray-1 in
240 FLOPS 1976.
 Classification of Computers:
13
2. Based on Purpose

1. Special purpose computers:

Special purpose computers are those computers which are designed to perform some
specific task or job. For example, computers used for weather forecasting, satellite
launching, medical diagnostics are special purpose computers.
2. General purpose computers:
General purpose computers are the computers which are designed, not to perform
only specific tasks, instead, they are designed to handle a variety of applications. For
example, computers used in schools, colleges, and offices are general purpose
computers.
 Classification of Computers:
14
3. Based on Type
1. Analog computers:
 In analog computers, data is recognized as a continuous measurement of a physical property like
voltage, speed, pressure etc.
2. Digital Computers:
 These are high speed electronic devices. These devices are programmable. They process data by
way of mathematical calculations, comparison, sorting etc. They accept input and produce output
as discrete signals representing high (on) or low (off) voltage state of electricity. Numbers,
alphabets, symbols are all represented as a series of 1s and Os.
3. Hybrid Computers:
 Hybrid Computers are a combination of Analog and Digital computers. They combine the speed
of analog computers and accuracy of digital computers.
 They are mostly used in specialized applications where the input data is in an analog form i.e.
measurement.
 This is converted into digital form for further processing. The computers accept data from
sensors and produce output using conventional input/output devices.