1)Types of computer

we can categorise computer in two ways: on the basis of data handling capabilities and size.
on the basis of data handling capabilities the computers is of three types:
[  ] Analogue computer
[  ] Digital computer
[  ] Hybrid computer
1) Analogue Computer
          Analogue computers are designed to process  analogue data analogue data is continuous data that change continuously and cannot have
discrete values. we can say that analogue computers are use where we don't need exact values always such a speed, temperature ,pressure and
current.
Analogue computers directly accept the data from the measuring device without first converting it into numbers and codes. they measure the
continuous changes in physical quantity and generally render output as a reading an a dial a scale . Speedometer, and thermometer are example of
analogue computers . Hello Java program for beginners.

Advantages of using analogue computers:

1• It allows real time operation and computation at the same time and continuous representation of all data within the range of the analogue
machine.

2•In some applications it allows performing calculation without taking the help of transducer for converting the inputs or outputs to electronics
form and vice versa.

3•The programmer can scale the problem and helps understand the error and thier effects.

Types of analogue computers:

Slide Rules: It is one of the simplest types of mechanical analogue computers. It was developed to perform basic mathematical calculations. It is
made of up rods. To perform the calculation, the hashed rod is solid to line up with marking on another rod.
Differential analysers: it was developed to perform differential calculations.  It performs integration using wheel-and-disc mechanisms solve
different calculations.
Castle clock: It was invented by Al-jarad it was able to save programing instructions. Its height was around 11 feet and it was provided with the
display of time the zodiac and the solar and lunar orbits. This device also could allow user to set the length of the day as per current season.
Electronic Analogue Computer: In this type of Analogue computers,  electrical signals flow through the capacitor and resistor to stimulate physical
phenomena here the mechanical interaction of components does not take place. The voltage of the electric signal generates the appropriate
displays.

2》Digital Computer
                  The digital computer is designed to perform calculations and logical operations at high speed. It accept the raw data as input in the form
of digits or binary numbers (0, 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to produce the output.  All modern computers like laptops, 
desktops including smartphones that we use at home or office are digital computers.

Advantages of digital computers:

1) it allows you to save a large amount of data of information and to retrieve it easily whenever you need.
2) you can easily add new features to digital systems more easily.
3) Different applications can be used in digital systems just by changing program without making any changes in hardware.
4) the cost of hardware is less due to the advancement in IC technology.
5) it offers high speed as the data process digitally.
6) it is highly reliable as its uses error correction codes.
7) Reproducibility of result is higher as the output is not effected by temperature,  noise,  humidity,  and other properties of its components.

3) Hybrid computer

Hybrid computer has features of both analogue and digital computers.  It fast like analogue computers and has memory and accuracy like digital
computers. It can process both continuous and discrete data. It accepts analogue signal and converts it into digital form before processing. So it can
be widely used in specialized applications where both analogue and digital data is processed. For example , a processor is used in petrol pumps that
convert measurements of the fuel flow into quantity price. Similarly they are used in airplane, hospital's and scientific applications.

Advantages of using hybrid computers;

1. Its computing speed is very high due to the all parallel configuration of the analogue subsystem.
2. It produces precise and quick results that are more accurate and useful .
3. It has the ability to solve and manage big equations in real time.
4. It helps in the online data processing.

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On the basis of size the computer can be of five types:
1) Supercomputers
   Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest computers. They are designed to process huge amounts of data.  A Supercomputers can process
trillions of instruction in one second. It has a thousands of interconnected processors.
Supercomputers are particularly used in scientific and engineering applications such as weather forecasting,  scientific simulations and nuclear
energy research the first Supercomputers was developed by Roger Cray in 1976 AD.

Characteristics or appearance of Supercomputers;

1. It has the ability to decrypt your password to enhance protection for security reasons.
2. It produces excellent results in animation.
3. It is used for vital testing of nuclear weapon and critical medical test.
4. It can study and understand climate patterns and forecast weather conditions. It can run in NOAA's system (National oceanic and atmospheric
administration) that can execute any type of simple and logical data.
5. It help in designing the flight's simulator for pilots in the beginning level for thier training.
6. It helps in extracting useful information from data storage canters or cloud systems example 8n insurance companies.
7. It has played a vital role in managing the entire currency world such as stock markets and bitcoin.
8. It helps in diagnosis of various critical diseases and in producing accurate results in brain injury strokes etc.
9. It helps in scientific research area by accurately analysing data obtained from exploring the solar system satellites’ and movement of earth.
10. It also uses in a smog control system where it predict the level of fogs and other pollutants in the atmosphere.

2) Mainframe Computers:
      Mainframe computers are designed to support 100 or 1000 of user simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same time it
mean that they can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of Mainframe computer make them ideal for big organizations like
banking and telecom sectors which need to manage and processes a high volume f data that requires integer operations such as indexing
companies etc.

Characteristics of Mainframe computers.

1. It can process huge amount of data e.g. Millions of transactions in bank sector in one second.
2. It has very long life. It can run smoothly up to 50 years after proper installation.
3. It gives excellent performance with large scale memory management.
4. It has the ability to share or distribute its work load among the other processors and inputs/ output terminals.
5. There are fewer chances of errors or bugs during the Mainframe computer if any errors occurs it can fix it quickly without effecting the
performance.
6. It has the ability to protect the stored data and other exchanges of information and data.

Applications of Mainframe computers:

1. In health care it enables the hospital to maintain a record of their millions of patients in order to contact them for treatment or related to their
appointment medicine update or disease updates.
2. In field of defence it allows the defence department to share large amounts of sensitive information with other branches.
3. In field of education it helps big universities to store, manage and retrieve data related to their courses, admission, students teachers, employees,
affiliated schools and colleges.
4. In the retail sector,  the retail companies that have a large customer base and branches as Mainframe computer to handle and execute
information related to their inventory management, customer management, and huge transactions in short duration.
3) Mainframe or Minicomputers:

It is midsize multiple processing computers it consist of two or more processors and can support to 200 user it a time.  Minicomputer are used in
institutions and departments for tasks such as billing, accounting and inventory management a Minicomputer lies between Mainframe and
Minicomputers as it is smaller than Mainframe computers but lager than microcomputer.

Characteristics of Mainframe or Minicomputer:

1. It light weight that makes it easier to carry and fitted anywhere.
2. It is less expensive than Mainframe computers.
3. It is very fast as compared to its size.
4. It remains charged for long time.
5. It does not require controlled operational environment.

Applications of Minicomputers:
   A Minicomputer is mainly used to perform three primary functions which as follows.
1. Process control: it is used for process control in manufacturing and mainly two primary functions that's are collecting and feedback. If any
abnormality occurs in the process, it is detected by Minicomputer and necessary adjustment or made accordingly.
2. Data management; it is excellent device for small organizations to collect store and share data. Local hospitals and hotels can use it to maintain
the record of their patients and customers respectively.
3. Communication portal:  it can also play thier role of communication device in larger systems by serving as a portal between human operator and

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central processors or computer.

4) workstation:

Workstations is a single user computer that it designed for technical or scientific applications. It has faster micro processor, a large amount of RAM
and high speed graphics adapters. It generally performs a specific job with great expertise accordingly. They are of different types such as graphics
workstations, music workstations, engineering design workstations.

Characteristics of workstations computers;

1. It is high performance computer systems designed for business or professional use.

2. It has large storage capacity better graphics and more powerful CPU than a personal computer.
3. It can handle animation, data analysis CAD audio and video creation and editing.
Any computer that have the following features can be termed as workstations or can be used as workstation.
4. Multiple Processor Cores: it has a more processors core than simple laptop or computer.
5. ECC RAM: it provided with error correcting memory that can fix errors before they affect the system performance.
6. RAID ( Redundant Array of Independent Disks) : It refer to multiple internal bare drills to store or processing data. RAID can be of different types
for e.g.: it can be multiple drives to process data or mirrored drives where on drives doesn't work then other start functioning.
7. SSD: it is better then conventional H/D drivers it doesn't have moving parts so the chance of physical failure are ver less.
8. Optimized Higher End CPU: it reduce loads on CPU e.g. CPU has to do less work while processing screen outputs.

5) Microcomputer:
  Microcomputer is also known as personal computer (PC). It is a general purpose computer that is designed for individuals use. It has a
microprocessor a central processing unit memory storage area, input unit and output unit. Laptops and desktops computer are example of
microcomputers. They are suitable for personal work that may be making an assignment, Watching a movie, or at office work.

Characteristics of microcomputers:

1. It is the smallest size among all types of the computers.

2. A limited number of software can be used.
3. It is designed for personal work and applications only one user can work at a time.
4. It is less expensive and easy to use.
5. It doesn't require user to have special skills,  or training to use it.
6. Generally comes with a single semiconductor chips.
7. It is capable of multitasking such as printing, scanning, browsing, watching, and videos etc.