TYPES OF COMPUTERS.

1. Digital computers –these are computers which process data represented in digital form (discrete
values)

2. Analogue computers –these processes continuously varying data .

3. Hybrid computers- these have a combined features of both digital and analogue computers.

Classification by size.

a) Mainframe –These are very large computers systems typically found in major corporations ,large

education institutions, major government installation and even in research centers. It has several CPUs,

Input/output devices, main and mass storage with very high capacity and massive programs. They are
very

fast and powerful. They are usually kept in an air conditioned environment in a special room. They can

handle hundreds of users simultaneously .

b) Minicomputers-The mini computers are physically smaller than a mainframe. They also support a
number

of concurrent users, but are usually slower than mainframes computers. They have the same basic
structures

as the larger mainframes computers ,and support the same peripheral devices supported by the
mainframes.

Are cheaper then than the mainframes and are used for applications such as payroll ,invoicing and stock

control. They are mainly used as corporate servers in large organizations and the government.

c) Microcomputers.-Are smaller than minicomputers. Their CPU is the microprocessor(CPU in a single IC

chip).The newer microcomputers are not only cheaper ,they are also faster, smaller ,more energy
efficient,

more reliable and even as powerful as old minicomputers.

d) Super computers: The biggest in size, the most expensive in price than any other is classified

and known as super computer. It can process trillions of instructions in seconds.

e) Notebook/laptop computers: Having a small size and low weight the notebook is easy to carry to
anywhere.

Classification by purpose

a) General Purpose computers: used to solve wide variety of problems

b) Special purpose: Carries out a special processing task in one or more applications eg controlling

machines

c) Dedicated: General purpose computers that are commited to some processing task though capable of

a variety of tasks eg word processing only.