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Classification of Computer

The document classifies computers based on purpose, data handled, and capacity/size. It discusses general purpose vs special purpose computers and analog, digital, and hybrid computers. It also covers classifications by size from supercomputers to mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers.

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27 views14 pages

Classification of Computer

The document classifies computers based on purpose, data handled, and capacity/size. It discusses general purpose vs special purpose computers and analog, digital, and hybrid computers. It also covers classifications by size from supercomputers to mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers.

Uploaded by

qz9np6m2bb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Classification of

Computer

SHAHABUDDIN
MS Scholar, Department of Computer Science, University of
Peshawar
Classification of Computers

Computers are classified according to Purpose :


– Whether the computer is general purpose or special purpose.
Type of Data Handled – is using analog, digital data or a combination of both.
Capacity – the volume of work that the computer can handle is large or small.
Classification according to purpose
General Purpose

• Most computers in use today are General Purpose computers.

• Those built for a great variety of processing jobs.

• Simply by using a general-purpose computer and different software, various tasks can be
accomplished, including writing and editing (word processing), manipulating facts in a data base,
tracking manufacturing inventory, making scientific calculations, or even controlling organization’s
security system.
Classification according to purpose
Special Purpose Computer

• Special Purpose Computer are designed to be task specific.

• Most of the times their job is to solve one particular problem.

• They are also known as dedicated computers, because they are dedicated to perform a single task
repeatedly.

• Such a computer system would be useful in playing graphic intensive Video Games; traffic lights control
system, navigational system in an aircraft, weather forecasting, satellite launch / tracking, oil
exploration etc.
Classification
according to data
handled
◦Analog computer
◦Analog computer were commonly used for
scientific & engineering problems, particularly in
chemical industry, electric power plants, and
petroleum refineries.
◦These type of computers are rarely use in current
world.
◦Example is an electric current meter, vehicle speed
meter, etc.
Classification
according to data
handled
◦Digital Computers
◦ Digital computer are specialized in counting,
the digital computer handles values that are
in a discrete (binary 1 or 0).
◦ Digital computer counts and answer the
questions by the method of “HOW Many”.
The input data is represented by a number.
These are used for the logical and arithmetic
operations.
◦ All commonly used computers are DIGITAL
Classification
according to data
handled
◦Hybrid Computer
◦The combination and features of analog and digital
computer is called Hybrid computer. Having both
digital & analog features.
◦Used in various areas of engineering, space
vehicle simulation and training of astronauts,
passenger flight radar system, also used to control
robots.
Types of computer w.r.t Speed, Size and efficiency

• Supercomputer
• Main frame Computer
• Minicomputer
• Micro Computer
Supercomputer
◦ Supercomputer are designed for scientific
job like whether forecasting ,artificial
intelligence, defense systems etc. They are
fastest and expensive.
◦ A supercomputer contains several CPU
which operate in parallel to make it faster.
It also known as grand father computer.

◦Application – whether forecasting, weapons


research and development, nuclear power
plants etc.
Mainframe
computer
◦ Mainframe computers are those computers that offer
faster processing and greater storage area.
◦It is general purpose computer that is designed to process
large amount of data with very high speed.
◦It uses several CPU for data processing.
◦It is applicable for large organization with multi-users
◦Limited Range
◦Large business organization, Department of
examinations, Industries and defense to process data of
complex nature.
◦Example: ATM machine
Minicomputer
◦The size of the mini-computer is in between the size
of micro and main frame computers.
◦It is more powerful than a micro computer.
◦Minicomputers are usually designed to serve
multiple users.
◦Today, mini- computers are the popular data
processing systems in the field of business and
industry.
◦These computers accept all high-level languages.
◦It is a general-purpose machine with a smaller CPU
than a main frame.
◦Its storage capacity is about 2 mega words. Its rate of
acceptance and transfer of data is a maximum of 4
million bytes/seconds.
◦Example : PDP 11,IBM (8000 series).
Microcomputer
◦Because of its small size and the use of micro-
processor, this computer is called microcomputer.
◦All the computers have three units namely input,
output and central processing unit, (CPU).
◦The entire CPU is contained in a single or a few
microchips.
◦Its storage capacity is low when compared to mini
and main frame computers.
◦It is able to accept most of the high-level languages.
◦However, it uses an interpreter or complier for
running high level languages.
Microcomputer
◦The Micro computers are small and portable.
◦They are relatively inexpensive; the micro
computers have excellent graphic capabilities.
◦The Micro-computers are specially designed for
general usage like entertainment, education and
work purposes.
◦Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are
Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.
◦Example: Laptop, Desktop, tablet, Smartphones.

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