Classification of Computers

Introduction

 Computers are usually classified into several categories such as

type, size and/or power, generation that is technology.
 This chapter discusses the concept of computer classification.
 After this chapter the students should be able to:-
 Explain why computers are classified
 Explain the difference between analog and digital computers
 Describe characteristics of micro, mini, mainframe and supercomputers
 Describe characteristics of first, second, third, fourth and fifth general
computers
What is a Computer?

 An electronic device that manipulates information or

"data." It has the ability to store, retrieve,
and process data.
 It comprises of Software part and Hardware Part,
software stands for all the programs and hardware
represent the physical devices.
Classification by Type

 Computers can perform many kinds of tasks. However,

they do not use the same methods to perform
calculations and the differences in their methods make
some computers much better suited to a particular task
than others.
 At the most basic level, there are only two kinds of
computers;
 The Analog Computer and
 The Digital Computer.
 The digital computer is the one that is used most often
today.
Analog Computers

 This uses springs, levers,

expanding liquids,
electrical current, etc to
display results on output
devices such as dials,
scales, etc.
 Because of its operation,
the analog computer can
best be used as a
measuring machine
(clocks, speedometers)
Digital Computers

 These use digits or numbers to calculate and compute.

 They do not measure unless are connected to analog machines.
 The simplest digital computing device is also the oldest.
Classification by Size/Power

 This section looks at the classification (categorization)

of computers in terms of size and computing power.
 There are in total four categories namely:-
 Supercomputers,
 Mainframes,
 Minicomputers
 Microcomputers.
Mainframes
 Mainframe is an industry term for a
large computer, typically
manufactured by a large company
such as IBM for the commercial
applications of Fortune 1000
businesses and other large-scale
computing purposes.
 Historically, a mainframe is
associated with centralized rather
than distributed computing.
 Today, IBM refers to its larger
processors as large servers and
emphasizes that they can be used
to serve distributed users and
smaller servers in a computing
network.
Mainframes

 In the strict sense a server is

defined as a computer or device on
a network that manages resources.
 For example, a file server is a
computer and storage device
dedicated to storing files. Any user
on the network can store files on
the server.
 A print server is a computer that
manages one or more printers, and
a network server is a computer that
manages network traffic.
 A database server is a computer
system that processes database
queries.
Mainframes

 Servers are often dedicated,

meaning that they perform no
other tasks besides their server
tasks.
 On multiprocessing operating
systems (like the IBM
mainframes mentioned above)
however, a single computer
can execute several programs
at once.
 A server in this case could refer
to the program that is
managing resources rather
than the entire computer.
Supercomputers

 A supercomputer is mainframe
computer that has been
optimized for speed and
processing power
 Supercomputers are computers
that are much more powerful
than mainframe computers.
 They are not many (a couple of
dozens) and are found in
applications where number
crunching (like nuclear
research, simulation, weather
forecasting, etc) is required.
Minicomputers

 Minicomputers are mid-sized

computers smaller than
mainframes and are popular with
medium sized and small
businesses.
 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.
Microcomputers

 Microcomputers, or PCs as they are

often called, are abundant on our desks,
tables, offices, and suitcases and even
at home. This is the most visible form of
computers in the present world and
comes in all forms and breeds.
 The ranking of microcomputer in terms
of computing power is on the low end of
computing.
 Historically, a micro is associated with
stand-alone computing. Meaning most
computing takes physically place on the
microcomputer itself.
 In the 1980's when networking started
to integrate into the offices PCs became
connected with network servers, and
also mainframes and supercomputers.
Workstations

 A workstation is a networked computer

that uses server resources. It is normally
a computer that is connected to a
mainframe computer.
 It is usually a personal computer
connected to a Local Area Network
(LAN), which shares the resources of
one or more large computers.
 Workstations differ from terminals or
dumb terminals in that they can be used
independently of the mainframe. Also,
they can have their own applications
installed, as well as their own hard disks.
 Workstations are types of computers that
require significant amount of computing
power and that can produce high-quality
graphics.
 Classification by Generation

 The history of computer development is often referred to

in reference to the different generations of computing
devices.
 Each generation of computer is characterized by a major
technological development that fundamentally changed
the way computers operate.
 The end result is increasingly smaller, cheaper, and more
powerful and more efficient and reliable devices.
First generation -1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes

 The first generation computers used

vacuum tubes for circuitry and
magnetic drums for memory, and
were often enormous, taking up
entire rooms.
 They were very expensive to operate
and in addition to using a great deal
of electricity, generated a lot of heat,
which was often the cause of
malfunctions.
 First generation computers relied on
machine language to perform
operations, and they could only solve
one problem at a time.
 Input was based on punched cards
and paper tape, and output was
displayed on printouts.
First generation -1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes

 The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers

are examples of first-generation
computing devices.
 The UNIVAC was the first commercial
computer delivered to a business
client, the U.S. Census Bureau in
1951.
Second Generation -1956-1963: Transistors

 Transistors replaced vacuum tubes

and ushered in the second
generation of computers.
 The transistor was invented in 1947
but did not see widespread use in
computers until the late 50s.
 The transistor was far superior to the
vacuum tube, allowing computers to
become smaller, faster, cheaper,
more energy-efficient and more
reliable than their first-generation
predecessors.
 Though the transistor still generated
a great deal of heat that subjected
the computer to damage, it was a
vast improvement over the vacuum
tube.
Second Generation -1956-1963: Transistors

 Second-generation computers still relied

on punched cards for input and printouts
for output.
 Second-generation computers moved from
cryptic binary machine language to
symbolic, or assembly languages, which
allowed programmers to specify
instructions in words.
 High-level programming languages were
also being developed at this time, such as
early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN.
 These were also the first computers that
stored their instructions in their memory,
which moved from a magnetic drum to
magnetic core technology.
 The first computers of this generation were
developed for the atomic energy industry.
Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits

 The development of the integrated circuit

was the hallmark of the third generation of
computers.
 Transistors were miniaturized and placed on
silicon chip, called semiconductor, which
drastically increased the speed and
efficiency of computers.
 Instead of punched cards and printouts,
users interacted with third generation
computers through keyboard and monitor
and interface with an operating system,
which allowed the device to run many
different application at one time with a
central program that monitored the memory.
 Computers for the first time became
accessible to a mass audience because they
were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors.
Fourth Generation - 1971-Present: Microprocessors

 The microprocessor brought the fourth

generation of computers, as thousands
of integrated circuits were built onto a
single silicon chip, heralding the so-
called VLSI (Very Large Scale
Integration).
 A level of Integrated Circuit (IC)
complexity in which there are over
10,000 to 99,000 equivalent gates per
chip. Thus, what in the first generation
filled an entire room could now fit in the
palm of the hand.
 The Intel 4004 chip, developed in
1971, located all the components of
the computer – from the central
processing unit CPU.
Fourth Generation - 1971-Present: Microprocessors

 In 1981 IBM introduced its first

computer for the home user, and in
1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh.
 Microprocessors also moved out of the
realm of desktop computers and into
many areas of life as more and more
everyday products began to use
microprocessors.
 As these small computers became more
powerful, they could be linked together
to form networks, which eventually led
to the development of the Internet.
 Fourth generation computers also saw
the development of GUI (Graphical User
Interface), the mouse and handheld
devices.
Fifth Generation – Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence

 Fifth generation computing devices,

based on artificial intelligence are still
in development, though there are
some applications, such as voice
recognition, that are being used today.
 The use of parallel processing and
superconductors is helping to make
artificial intelligence a reality.
 Quantum computation and molecular
and will radically change the face of
computers in years to come.
 The goal of fifth-generation computing
is to develop devices that respond to
natural language input and are
capable of learning and self-
organization.