What is a computer?

A Computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts raw data as input and processes it with a
set of instructions (a program) to produce the result as output. It manipulates information, or data it has
the ability to store, feffere, and process data.

Full Form of Computer: Common Operating Machine Purposely Used for Technological and Educational
Research..

Types of Computers

Computers can be differentiated based on their modes of functioning as well as their size and
functionality. Here they have been divided into different types of computers without considering any of
these factors.

Analogue

These are old models of computers that work on the continuous analogue signals rather than discrete
signals. They are not very accurate but extremely fast.

Digital

Computers that use this binary system of counting using electrical pulses of ON and OFF are known as
Digital computers. They function on discrete values and are generally more accurate.

Hybrid

Computers that have features of both digital and analogue computers are known as hybrid computers.
The analogue part of a computer handles very complicated mathematical computations while digital
Components handle these numerical and logical systems.

Mainframe

Mainframe computers are computers that are accessed simultaneously by several thousands of people
at once. They are used in fields of banking and telecom where they have to handle millions of request
together in minimal time.

Supercomputers

These massive computers are used in the fields of engineering and scientific computations. They usually
perform over a million instructions per second.

Servers

Servers are large repositories of information. They supply information to any computer that is on the
same network as them. Many people access servers at the same time so servers need to handle large
amounts of traffic.

Workstation

This type of computer that scientists and engineers may be familiar with is called the workstation. It is
generally used in scientific applications and has a faster microprocessor along with a spacious memory.
Microcomputer

This last type of computer is a microcomputer which is nothing but a personal computer that you use at
home. These computers are built for light use such as listening to music, or playing movies or accessing
the internet.

General-Purpose

A general-purpose computer is what most people think of when thinking about a computer and is what
this page covers.

Special-Purpose

A special-purpose computer is embedded in almost all electronic devices and is the most widely-used
computer. This computer is designed for a specific task and is found in ATMs, cars, microwaves, TVs, the
VCR, and other home electronics. See our special-purpose computer page for further information and
examples.