Computer Fundamentals (Lecture 5)

Afroza Islam
Lecturer
Department of CSE,
Varendra UniversitY

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Classifications of Computers

Computers differ based on their data processing

abilities.

They can be classified according to –

❑ purpose
❑ data handling
❑ size

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Classification According to Purpose

❑General purpose computers are designed to perform a range of

tasks. They can store numerous programs, but lack in speed and
efficiency compared to special purpose computers.

❑Specific/special purpose computers are designed in such a manner that

they can perform only a specified task. The special purpose computers
are not versatile, and their speed and memory size depend on the task
that is to be performed. The special purpose computers are efficient and
consume less amount of time in generating the results.
 Classification According to Purpose

Feature General Purpose Computers Special Purpose Computers

Designed to perform a wide variety Designed to perform a specific,
Definition
of tasks predefined task
Versatile – can run multiple
Versatility Not versatile – limited to one task
programs and tasks
Slower and less efficient compared
Speed & Efficiency Highly efficient for the specific task
to special-purpose computers
Requires more memory for Memory tailored to the specific
Memory Requirements
different applications task
Desktop PCs, Laptops, ATMs, Washing Machine
Examples
Smartphones Controllers, Traffic Light Systems
More complex design, generally Simpler, task-focused design, often
Design & Cost
more expensive more cost-effective
 Classification According to Data Handling
Analog Computer:
Analog computers are used to process analog data. Analog data is of continuous
nature, and which is not discrete or separate. Such type of data includes temperature,
pressure, speed weight, voltage, depth etc. These quantities are continuous and
having an infinite variety of values. It measures continuous changes in some physical
quantity
Example:
1. The Speedometer of a car measures speed,
2. The change of temperature is measured by a Thermometer,
3. The weight is measured by a Weights machine.
These computers are ideal in situations where data can be accepted directly from
measuring instruments without having to convert it into numbers or codes.
 Analog Computer
• First type of computers developed; foundation for modern digital computers
Working Methodology:
• Measure and calculate analog (continuous) quantities.
• Do not require storage, as they perform real-time measurement and
comparison
• Output is displayed as:
• Readings on dials (e.g., speedometer)
• Graphs on strip charts
Application:
• Used in specialized engineering and scientific application, Oil refineries
(for monitoring flow and temperature), Paper manufacturing, Chemical
industries
Classification According to Data Handling

Digital Computer: A Digital Computer, as its name implies, works with

digits to represent numerals, letters or other special symbols. Digital
Computers operate on inputs which are ON-OFF type, and its output is
also in the form of ON-OFF signal. Normally, an ON is represented by a 1
and an OFF is represented by a 0. So, we can say that digital computers
process information which is based on the presence or the absence of an
electrical charge or we prefer to say a binary 1 or 0.
A digital computer can be used to process numeric as well as non-
numeric data. It can perform arithmetic operations like addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division and also logical operations. Most
of the computers available today are digital computers. The most common
examples of digital computers are accounting machines and calculators..
 Analog Computer Vs Digital Computer
Feature Digital Computers Analog Computers
Accuracy More accurate Less accurate
Speed Slower than analog Faster in real-time
Memory Has memory to store and retrieve No memory – processes data
data instantly
Data Type Processes discrete data (0s and 1s) Processes continuous data (like
temperature, speed)
Operation Style Counts – performs arithmetic and Measures – compares physical
logical operations quantities

Examples Laptops, Smartphones, Calculators Speedometers, Thermometers,

Analog Voltmeters
Classification According to Data Handling

Hybrid Computer: A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog

computers. It combines the best features of both types of computers, i-e. It
has the speed of analog computer and the memory and accuracy of digital
computer. Hybrid computers are primarily used in specialized applications
that require the processing of both types of data. Therefore, they help the
user, to process both continuous and discrete data. For example, a petrol
pump contains a processor that converts fuel flow measurements into
quantity and price values. In hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an analog
device is used which measures patient’s blood pressure and temperature
etc, which are then converted and displayed in the form of digits. Hybrid
computers for example are used for scientific calculations, in defense and
radar systems.
Classification According to Size
Smartphone,
Tablet Computer

Supercomputer Laptop

Microcomputer /
Mainframe
Personal
Computer
Computer (PC)

Minicomputer Workstation
 Classification According to Size

•Smartphones: Tablet Computers (Tablets):

•Small, handheld computers with limited •Mobile devices with:
hardware. •Mobile operating systems.
•Multi-purpose mobile computing devices. •Touchscreen displays.
•More powerful than feature phones due to: •Rechargeable batteries.
•Stronger hardware capabilities. •Thin and flat design.
•Advanced mobile operating systems. •Capable of performing most personal
•Support a wide range of functions: computer tasks.
•Software applications. •Typically lack some input/output (I/O)
•Internet access (including web browsing over features found in traditional computers
mobile broadband).
•Multimedia (music, video, camera, gaming).
•Core phone functions (voice calls, text
messaging).
 Classification According to Size
Micro Computer / Personal Computer:
A PC can be defined as a small, relatively
inexpensive computer designed for an
individual user. PCs are based on the
microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip.
Businesses use personal computers for word
processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and
for running spreadsheet and database
management applications. At home, the most
popular use for personal computers is playing
games and surfing the Internet. Thi s Photo by Unknown Author i s l icensed
under CC BY-SA
Classification According to Size

The workstation is a computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM), desktop

publishing, software development, and other such types of applications which require a
moderate amount of computing power and relatively high-quality graphics capabilities.

Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, a large amount of
RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical user interface. Most workstations also have
mass storage device such as a disk drive, but a special type of workstation, called diskless
workstations, comes without a disk drive.
 Classification According to Size
Minicomputer
•A mid-sized computer that falls between workstations
and mainframes in terms of size and power.
•Multiprocessing system: Can support 4 to 200 users
simultaneously.
•Over time, the difference between:
• Large minicomputers and small mainframes,
and
• Small minicomputers and workstations
has become less distinct.
•Often used in environments needing multi-user
capabilities without the full power or cost of a
mainframe.

Thi s Photo by Unknown

Author is licensed under
 Mainframe Computer

• Mainframe: The mainframe is very large in

size and is an expensive computer capable of
supporting hundreds or even thousands of
users simultaneously. Mainframe executes
many programs concurrently and supports
much simultaneous execution of programs.
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Supercomputer

• 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. Other uses of
supercomputers include animated graphics,
fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy
research, and petroleum exploration.

Thi s Photo by Unknown Author i s l icensed under CC BY-SA

Some Important Terminology
Related to Computers
Booting:
In computing, booting is starting up a computer or computer appliance until it
can be used. It can be initiated by hardware such as a button press or by
software command. There are two types of booting. Cold Booting refers to
starting a computer from an off status while warm Booting refers to
restarting a computer that was already running. Warm booting is typically
faster than cold booting because many of the instructions that need to be
loaded at boot time are already loaded and do not need to be loaded again.

Steps in the booting process:

o The BIOS (basic input/output system) checks which peripheral devices are
connected to the computer and load the necessary drivers (instructions) to
use them.
o Check whether there is any operating system present in the permanent
storage (hard disc drive / solid state drive / internal memory).
o If OS is present load, it into memory and transfer control to the user.
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 Some Important Terminology Related to
Computers

RAM stands for Random Access Cache Memory is a small-

ROM stands for Read Only
Memory. Random-access sized memory that provides
Memory. Read-only memory is
memory is a form of computer high-speed data access to a
a type of non-volatile memory
data storage that stores data processor and stores frequently
used in computers and other
and machine code currently used computer programs,
electronic devices.
being used. applications and data.

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