‫ِب ْس ِم الل ِه ال َّر ْح ٰم ِن ال َّر ِح ْي ِم‬

INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
(Types and Classifications of Computers)
Lecture # 03
By: Mr. Muhammad Tahir Sohail
Lecturer
Department of Software Engineering

1
 TYPES OF COMPUTER
(ON THE BASIS OF
FUNCTIONALITY)

According to functionality computer can be

divided in to three types:
1) Analog

2) Digital

3) Hybrid

3
 1-ANALOG COMPUTER
 An analog computer is a form of computer that
uses the continuously-changeable aspects of
physical fact such as electrical, mechanical, or
hydraulic(moved or operated or effected by liquid)
quantities to model the problem being solved.”
 Analog means continuity of associated quantity

just like an analog clock measures time by means

of the distance traveled by the hand of the clock
around a dial.

4
1-ANALOG COMPUTER (CONTI.)
 Analog computer measures and answer the
questions by the method of “HOW MUCH”. The
input data is not a number infact a physical
quantity like temperature, pressure, speed,
velocity
 Used in World War II and the Korean War.

 They were commonly used in science and

industry before the Digital Computer

 EXAMPLES:
 Thermometer
 Analog clock
 Speedometer
5
 Tire pressure gauge
 2-DIGITAL COMPUTERS
 “A computer that performs calculations and
logical operations with quantities represented as
digits, usually in the binary number system of
“0” and “1”.
 “Computer capable of solving problems by

processing information expressed in discrete

form.
 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.
6
2-DIGITAL COMPUTERS
(CONTI.)
 By manipulating combinations of binary
digits (“0”, “1”)
o Mathematical calculations

o Organize and analyze data

o Control industrial and other processes.

 EXAMPLES:
 IBM PC
 Apple Macintosh
 Calculators
 Digital watches etc
7
3-HYBRID COMPUTERS:
o “A computer that processes both analog and
digital data”.
o “Hybrid computer is a digital computer that

accepts analog signals, converts them to digital

and processes them in digital form”
o Hybrid Machines are generally used in scientific

applications or in controlling industrial processes.

 Examples:

 Hybrid computer is the computer used in

hospitals to measure the heartbeat of the patient.
 Radar is also an example of hybrid computer

8
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
(ON THE BASIS OF SIZE CAPACITY AND SPEED)

On the basis of size capacity and

speed, Computers can be divided into
following four classifications:
1) Super Computers.
2) Main frame Computers.

3) Mini frame Computers.

4) Micro Computers.

9
1-SUPER COMPUTERS
 Leads the world in terms of processing capacity,
particularly speed of calculation
 Can handle gigantic amount of scientific
computation
 About 50,000 times faster than micro-computers

 Used primarily for engineering and

scientific problem analysis as well as for
computerized graphics and special effects
seen in films.
 Cost as much as $20 million

10
 1-SUPER COMPUTERS (CONTI.)
 A super computer
contains a number of
CPU which operate in
parallel to make it faster.
It also known as grand
father computer.
 In areas like:
 Defense(Missile
Technology)
 Weather forecasting
 Scientific research
 Drug discoveries
 Hollywood movies
Examples of Super
Computers are CRAY X1 ,
11
CRAY T90 and Control Data
Cyber 205.
 2-MAIN FRAME COMPUTERS
 Smaller and less powerful
than supercomputer
 Can support hundreds and

thousands of users
 used mainly by large
organizations for critical
applications, typically bulk
data processing(i.e. huge
storage capacity and
massive processing ability)

12
2-MAIN FRAME COMPUTERS
(CONTI.)
 These are large and fast computers usually
housed in a controlled environment.
 Multi-user environment, have the ability to
service more than 100 terminals at a time
 TERMINALS – are the points from which
users can have access to the services of a
multi-user computer.
 Terminals (which look like a microcomputer)
are used to enter and retrieve data from
mainframe computers.
 They can support the processing
requirements of hundreds and even
thousands of users.
 Are the largest, fastest and most expensive 13
computers in commercial use today.
2-MAIN FRAME COMPUTERS
(CONTI.)

Of all types of computers, mainframe
have been around the longest.
ENIAC(Electronic Numerical Integrator
And Calculator) and UNIVAC(Universal
Automatic Computer) were mainframe
computers.

14
3-MINI COMPUTERS
Is the smallest computer
designed specifically for the
multi-user environment.
This type of computer can
allow several persons to use
the machine at the same time.
Can process up to millions of
characters.
Before the late 60’s, most
computers produced were
mainframe computers and they
were very expensive.
The prohibited price of
mainframes limited its buyers15
to only the largest companies.
3-MINI COMPUTERS (CONTI.)

A smaller and more affordable version of

mainframe and thus what the minicomputer
was born.
 Their storage capacities are smaller and they
service fewer terminals as compared to
mainframes.
 A computer servicing more than a100
terminals is no longer called a minicomputer.
 The major difference between the
mainframe and minicomputer is in the
number of terminals they can service.
16
4-MICRO COMPUTERS
 A personal computer; designed to
meet the computer needs of an
individual.
 Provides access to a wide variety

of computing applications, such as

word processing, photo editing, e-
mail, and internet.
 The major difference between
microcomputers and the larger
minicomputers and mainframes is
that micros are generally single-
user but a multi-tasking machine.
17
4-MICRO COMPUTERS (CONTI.)

 Personal Computers
(PC) occupy physically
small amounts of space
 Low Power

Consumption
 Example:
 Desktop computers
 laptop computers
 handhelds

18
4-MICRO COMPUTERS (CONTI.)
DESKTOP MICROCOMPUTER
 Bigger in Size
 No Portability
 Input & Output
devices are connected
separately to System
Unit
 Has separate
components
(keyboard, mouse,
etc.) that are each
plugged into the
computer.
19
4-MICRO COMPUTERS (CONTI.)
LAPTOP COMPUTER
 A portable, compact
computer that can run
on an electrical wall
outlet or a battery unit.
 All components
(keyboard, mouse, etc.)
are in one compact
unit.
 Usually more expensive
than a comparable
desktop.
 Sometimes called a
Notebook. 20
4-MICRO COMPUTERS
(CONTI.)
HANDHELD
 Also called a PDA (Personal
Digital Assistant).
 A computer that fits into a pocket,
runs on batteries, and is used
while holding the unit in your
hand.
 Typically used as an appointment
book, address book, calculator,
and notepad.
 Smaller in Size and Fully Portable
 Speed is less than Desktops &
Laptops
 Capable of running specific
Application Software (System
21
Software are limited)
 Can operate for days on its
4-MICRO COMPUTERS
(CONTI.)
TABLET PC  A tablet PC is a wireless
personal computer (PC)
that allows a user to take
notes using natural
handwriting with a stylus
or digital pen on a touch
screen.
 The user's handwritten

notes, which can be edited

and revised, can also be
indexed and searched or
shared via e-mail or cell
phone.
 Touch Panel with Electronic22
Pen.
 4-MICRO COMPUTERS
(CONTI.)
 WORKSTATION
Workstations are similar like Desktop PCs but
unlike desktops, they have high end processing
speed for specific software
 Used for Graphic Designing, Special effects for
movies, CAD applications
 Special Input and Output devices are provided to
Power Users

23
 EMBEDDED COMPUTERS
 An embedded computer is a special-purpose
computer that functions as a component in a
larger product

24
 SERVERS
 A server is a large shared computer
 several times the power of a workstation
 several times the memory of a workstation
 hardware and operating system optimised
for multi-user, no-crash operation
 A server may act as one or more of
functions like:
 compute server: to run programs
 file server: to store files centrally
 mail server: to route mail messages
 web server: to store web files etc
 Print server: to print the document
 Proxy server: to provide internet access.

25