Classification

of
computers
 Classification of computers

According to
Technology / Data According to Size
Handled

According to purpose
Digital Computers
A digital computer is machine that stores data in a numerical format and performs operations on that
data using mathematical manipulation. This type of computer typically includes some sort of device
to store information, some method for input and output of data, and components that allow
mathematical operations to be performed on stored data. They are used to process information with
qualities using binary number system (0’s and 1’s ). They are faster computer to provide accurate
result. Digital computers are used in homes, offices, educational institutes etc.
Digital Computer is designed to perform calculations and logical operations at high speed. It
accepts the raw data as digits or numbers and processes it with programs stored in its memory to
produce output.
Examples:
Digital watch , calculator , digital thermometer , etc.
Analog Computers
Analog means continuity of quantity just like analog clock measures time
Early Analog computer was invented by William Thomson in 1873
Second analog computer was developed by A.A Michelson in1898
They were used for gun fire control in world war II.
Before digital computers had developed sufficiently, analog computers were used
in science and industry.
Analog computers directly accept the data from the measuring device without first
converting it into numbers and codes.
Analog computers are form of computers that uses the continuously changeable
aspects of physical phenomenon
Examples:
Car Speedometer , Thermometer, etc.
Hybrid Computers
Hycomp 250 was the first desktop hybrid computing system which was released
by Packard Bell in 1961.
It is the special purpose computer.
It can process both continuous and discrete data.
Hybrid Computer has features of both analogue and digital computer. It is fast
like analogue computer and has memory and accuracy like digital computers.
Examples:
A processor is used in petrol pumps that converts the measurements of fuel flow
into quantity and price.
According to purpose
General Purpose Computers
John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert designed General Purpose Computers.
The general purpose computers are designed, developed, and manufactured for day-to-day
tasks and operations.
These computers are readily available in the market, and users can purchase them without any
hassle.
These computers are inexpensive compared to special-purpose computers, with great speed,
accuracy, and extraordinary storage capacity.
They are specially designed to work with documents, spreadsheets, and accounting purposes.
They are general purpose computers as they can perform general tasks efficiently, like online
shopping, booking tickets, using social media, playing games, playing songs and videos, and
helping and assisting in online learning
Special Purpose Computers
The first special-purpose electronic computer may actually have been invented by John Vincent
Atanasoff, a physicist and mathematician at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University),
during 1937–42.
As the name suggests, special purpose computers are designed and developed keeping in mind
some special purpose.
They are pretty expensive compared to general-purpose computers. They have faster processing
power and incredible storage capacity.
As they are costly, users cannot afford to purchase them and are also unavailable in the local
computer market.
There are many special-purpose computers, but supercomputers, workstations, and servers are the
most common.
Special Purpose Computers are also called “Dedicated Computers”.
Special Purpose Computers are Used in:
Scientific Research.
Military.
Research and Development
Predicting Earthquakes.
According to Size
SUPER COMPUTERS
A supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance compared to a general-purpose
computer. Performance of a supercomputer is measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS)
instead of million instructions per second (MIPS). Supercomputers contain tens of thousands of
processors and can perform billions and trillions of calculations or computations per second.
By definition, a supercomputer is exceptional in terms of performance. At any time, there are a few well-
publicized supercomputers that operate at extremely high speeds relative to all other computers.
Supercomputers perform resource-intensive calculations that general-purpose computers can't handle.
They often run engineering and computational sciences applications, such as the following:
Weather Forecasting to
predict the impact of extreme storms and floods
Molecular Modeling for calculating and analyzing the
structures and properties of chemical compounds and crystals;
Medical Research to develop new cancer drugs,
MAINFRAME COMPUTERS

The first mainframe computer was the Harvard Mark I. Developed
starting in the 1930s, the machine was not ready for use until 1943.
It weighed five tons, filled an entire room and cost about $200,000
to build

Mainframes are a type of computer that generally are known for
their large size, amount of storage, processing power and high level
of reliability. They are primarily used by large organizations for
mission-critical applications requiring high volumes of data
processing.

In general, there are a few characteristics of mainframes that are
Mainframes can add or hot swap system capacity without disruption.
Mainframes are designed to handle very high volume input and output
(I/O) and emphasize throughput computing.
A single mainframe can replace dozens or even hundreds of smaller
servers.
Today, most eminent vendors of mainframe computers are IBM,
Hitachi, Amdahl, and Unisys.
MINI COMPUTERS
Computer that was smaller, less expensive, and less powerful than a mainframe or
supercomputer but more expensive and more powerful than a personal computer.
Minicomputers were used for scientific and engineering computations, business
transaction processing, file handling, and database management.
Minicomputers were used for scientific and engineering computations,
business transaction processing, file handling, and database management.
Minicomputers as a distinct class of computers emerged in the late 1950s and reached
their peak in the 1960s and ’70s before declining in popularity in the 1980s and ’90s.
Mini computer is used for scientific and engineering computations, business transaction
processing, file handling, and database management. It is also used by hospitals as well
as in school computer laboratories.
 Minicomputer is also known as mini. It is a class of small
computers that was introduced into the world in the mid-1960s.
A minicomputer is a computer which has all the features of a large
size computer, but its size is smaller than those.
MICRO COMPUTERS
Microcomputers are electronic devices that hold a microprocessor inside of them that act as
their CPU, or central processing unit. CPUs execute all arithmetic and logic unit functions and
allow computers to follow instructions from users. Microcomputers are relatively small
because of their smaller CPU and include a memory unit, a microprocessor and an input and
output unit on a singular printed circuit board.
All microcomputers allow internet connectivity. As a result, anyone using a microcomputer
can explore the internet, send messages to others, watch movies and stream music, among
other functions.
Microcomputers can vary in cost, but some may be more affordable for consumers. As m any
people use different types of microcomputers every day and the supply and demand increases,
In most cases, microcomputers are easily portable. Devices such as
laptop computers, smartphones and tablets are lightweight and
convenient to carry. The nature of their size, build and weight can
allow you to use the internet wherever you'd like.
THANK YOU