Classification of Computer on the basis of Work
The computer is an electronic device which accepts the input and processes them to give desired output. There are various types of computer available in the market. We can classify the computer as special purpose computers and general purpose computers. Special purpose computers are applicable on particular application area and have limited area for application like temperature recording, speed measurement, telephone billing etc, but general purpose computers are the standard computers used for general application like word processing, spreadsheet, database application, internet access, program development etc.
Analog Computer:
An Analog computer is a computer which uses continuously changeable entities like mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, etc. These were first used at the time of the 1950s–1960s. They do not use discrete values but use continuous values. Thus these computers work on an analog signal. Also, these signals are the continuous signals with a time-varying feature of the signal.They that work with natural phenomena and physical values like earthquake measurement, speed of the wind, weight light etc is known as Analog computers. It is especially used in scientific work, medical and industrial field. These are special purpose computers. It measures physical values such as temperature or pressure that fall along a continuous scale in temperature or pressure. For example, you can see a system on petrol pump that contains an analog processor and analog device that converts flow of petrol into quantity. Speedometer in cars and your watch are other examples of analog computer.
Features of Analog computer
- It is specific to the particular task so we cannot use it for multiple applications.
- It works on continuous data and gives continuous output.
- It works on real time and no storage capacity.
- It gives in the form of a graph, signals, table etc.
Digital Computer
These are the computers which perform various computational as well as some other general-purpose works. The information in such computers is represented by variables taking a limited number of discrete values. These computers work on a digital signal. These signals represent data as a series of discrete values. But, at any given time it can only take on one of a finite number of values. Specifically, digital computers use the binary number system, which has two digits i.e., 0 and 1. A binary digit is called a bit. Thus, they represented and store the information in the groups of bits. Main advantages of a digital computer are their accuracy and fast speed.Some examples of digital computers are desktop, laptop, calculators, smartphones, etc.
Features of Digital computer
- It works on the discontinuous or discrete data.
- It is applicable for the general purpose so this is very versatile for the application.
- It is based on the digits 0 and 1.
- It is faster.
- It has storage section also.
- It is highly accurate and reliable than an analog system.
Hybrid Computer
The combination of computers which is capable of processing in both analog and digital signals. It accepts input in the form of analog signals , process data digitally and gives output either digitally or analog form. They are used in industrial application, airplanes, ships hospital etc. The widest application of hybrid computer take place in situation which require real time solutions. Example: ECG (Electronic Cardio Graph).
Features of hybrid computer
- It is an expensive system.
- It is designed for a special purpose so it is not versatile.
- It works on discrete and continuous value.
- It has limited storage.
- It is complex than other computer systems.
Classification of Computer on The Basis of Size
According to size the computer are classified into four major type;
- Microcomputers
- Minicomputers
- Mainframe Computers
- Super Computers
Microcomputers
Desktop computers, laptops, gaming consoles, sound and navigation system of a car, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets and smartphones are all types of microcomputers.The microcomputers are widely used and the fastest growing computers. These computers are the cheapest among the other three types of computers.The microcomputers are specially designed for general purpose usage life entertainment, education, and work purposes. Desktop computer, workstation, laptop, plamtop. tablet, smart phones are some of the different microcomputers.some main characteristics of desktop computers:
- Fast speed and accuracy
- Small in size
- Easy to operate
- Easy to move
- Cheaper
- We can use desktop computers as a single user and multi-user environment
Minicomputers
Minicomputers also called as mid-range servers, are more powerful computers than microcomputers in terms of processing power and capabilities. Minicomputers are mainly multi-user systems where many user simultaneously work on the systems. Minicomputers posses greater storage capacity and larger memories as compared to microcomputer. These are even capable of handling more input/output devices. These are popular among students, professionals and home users due to small size, low price and low maintenance. PDP-11,VAX, 7500 MAGNUM are some example of mini computer.
Mini Computers are medium sized computer. So, these are popular as middle ranged computer. It is also multiple user computer and supports more than dozen of people at a time. It is costlier than microcomputer. It is also used in university, middle range business organizations to process complex data. It is also used in scientific research, instrumentation system, engineering analysis, and industrial process monitoring and control etc.
Mainframe Computer
Application Areas for Mainframe computer:
- Government and civilian
- Credit card processing
- Back Account management
- Marketing
- Business data processing in large organization
- Air traffic control system
- Industrial design
Characteristics of Mainframe Computers
Some main characteristics of mainframe computers are:
- Run multiple programs concurrently
- Support many concurrent users
- Support new and legacy software
- Run many different kinds of operating systems
- Uninterrupted operation
- Have performance measured in millions of instructions per seconds (MIPS)
- Perform tasks on huge amounts of external data
- Are flexible even to run many kinds of applications and tackle broad business task.
Supercomputers
Supercomputers are the most powerful computers among digital computers. These consists of several processors running together thereby making them immensely faster and powerful. These computers are capable of handling huge amounts of calculations that are beyond human capabilities. Super computers can perform billions of instructions per second. Some of the today's supercomputers have the computing capability equal to that of 40000 microcomputers. CRAY X-MP-14, CDC-205,ETA GF-10, FUJITSU VP-400, NEC SX-2, PARAM, PACE are some example of super computer. Supercomputers are mainly used in following purposes:
- Weather forecasting
- Nuclear science research
- Aerodynamic modelling
- Seismology
- Metrology
Characteristics of Supercomputers
Some main characteristics of supercomputers are given below:
- Focus processing power to execute a few programs or instruction as quickly as possible
- Focused on speed and accelerated performance
- Push boundaries of what hardware and software can accomplish
- Typically run a variant of Linux as their operating system
- Are typically run at maximum capability, putting the computer's full processing resources toward solving a particular problem
- Are often a cluster or grid of smaller computers working together on whatever problem they are looking to solve
- Have performance measured in floating point operations per seconds (FLOPS)
- Execute complicated computations using large internal memory
- Have dedicated purposes for tasks like scientific research or engineering models
Use of Digital Computer in Daily Life
Introduction
Computers have made our life easier with the passage of time. With greater quality and accuracy, less time taking computers can do a lot in a short time while that task can take a lot of time if we do it manually.
You can understand and analyze the importance of computers by seeing a revolution in offline and online business, online education, online business, online communication, and digital banking online games, and most grooming facility Online Earnings. Computers have taken industries and businesses to a global level. They are used at home for online education, entertainment, in offices, in hospitals, private firms, NGOs, Software houses, Government sectors Etc.
Laptop and Palmtop Computers
These are small sized digital computers so they are called handheld computers. These are portable in size and mobile in nature but are not replacements for desktop computers. Desktop computers continue to perform major processing functions while palmtop are used for access the information and communication. These are less power consuming and equipped with all the facilities of modern PC. These computers can be operated by battery. It has CD drive, floppy drive, modem and other input/output ports.
The idea of laptop computer was originated by Alan Kay of Xerox Palo Alto Research Center in 1979 and named to notebook like computer as Dynabook, but first Laptop was designed in 1979 by William Moggridge of Grid System Crops. In 1983, Gavilan produced a laptop computer with 62 kilobyte memory, MS-DOS operating system, touch pad mouse and portable in size.
Multimedia computer
The term multimedia is not unknown among computer users. Multimedia is a combined form of two or more media like as text, graphics, sound, animation etc. Now a day, the multimedia PC is a choice of all. Analog Digital Converter (ADC) converts the sound wave into digital signal in multimedia computer. Without the talk of MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group), the multimedia is incomplete. It is a standard used to compress sound (audio) and videos for computer.
COMPUTER IN HEALTH SECTOR
A computer is used in the hospital which provides many benefits for doctors and patients. Specialized hospital management software used to automate the day-to-day procedures and operations at hospitals. These tasks may be online appointments, payroll admittance and discharge records, etc.
- Computers are used to store data about patients, their diseases & symptoms, the medicines that are prescribed
- Research on diseases, blood tests, and urine tests, brain testing, and body scanning, etc.
- The computer keeps records and Data on Medicines.
- Record of Doctors
- Record of Patients
- Monitoring System
COMPUTER IN EDUCATION
As we know education is the most important part of life. Computers are being used regularly in educational institutes to improve the learning process. It includes online tutorials, lectures, Multimedia, Presentations, online education through the internet. Teachers can also prepare slides on computers and teach through multimedia. CBT stands for (Computer Based Training), prepares for different educational programs with the help of professional teachers and audio-visual aids. These educational programs are generally in the shape of lectures, tutorials on a specific subject. CBT is a low-cost solution for educating people. Other uses of computer in education are:
- Downloading online education materials
- Keeping the record of students in College/universities
- Student Database account
- University database
- Storing a record of employees
COMPUTER IN BUSINESS
The use of computer technology in business is growing rapidly. Businessmen are using computers to interact with their customers anywhere in the world. Many business tasks are performed more quickly and efficiently. We can start a business, run a business, and manage a business and we can grow our business through the use of computers and social media. The computer can be used in business in the following ways:
- Any individual today can start their business from home. Freelancing is a big example. Freelancers are working remotely from home with the use of computers and the internet and making money online.
- An organization can use computers for marketing its products. Marketing applications provide information about the products to customers.
- Data entry, MS Word, etc. they can start data typing and editing work from home.
- The stock exchange uses computers to conduct bids.
COMPUTER AT HOME:
Uses of a computer at home depend on the user they want to search and look for. Some people using the computer at home for online education, for online learning, online earnings, online business, use of social media, online games, listen to songs and movies, etc.
- We can use a computer at home for learning new skills and hobbies.
- By using MS Excel, you can calculate and manage your monthly expenses.
- You can make your Resume/CV.
- Also, you can make money online by sitting at home through freelancing.
- Kids can play games on a computer as well.
Our life is fully impacted by computers. Today one cannot survive without computer technologies and the internet. The use of the computer with internet connection in daily life changed our habits. It’s a good living practice by a human because many people are in favor of Technology and advancement. The computer can impact our life negatively too if above-paragraphed habits turn into bad habits. You need to understand and analyze what you want to do today, and what is important to you to accomplish today by using a computer. Once you will find out about it then start using the computer each day and it will make life easier, faster, and more importantly, satisfy at the end of the day.
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