Presentation On Classification of Computers

What Are Computers According To Classification ?

Computer, known as an electronic machine which accepts data and instruction as an input, process the data items using the instruction to produce information as an output. A computer is any machine that will accept some input into its memory (data and instruction) process it and produce some results that are sent to the user it through output.

Computer can be classified or typed in many ways some common classifications include;

• According to Size
• According to Type
• According to Purpose

ACCORDING TO SIZE

There are three different sizes of computer.

Mainframe computer   

This is a large, powerful and expensive type of computer. It is multi-user system that is to say that many people use at the same time. The mainframe are used for processing very large amount of data the most powerful mainframe are called super computers. Cables run from the computer to the difference location (office) where the computer the will be used. These are known as terminals. A monitor and keyboard (known as consoles) will be connected there. From these terminals the computer will be used. They are usually kept in a cooled, clean computer room.

Examples include; IBMS/390, Control data cyber 176, Amanda 580

MINICOMPUTER

The ‘‘age of the mini’’ started in the 1960s. The creation of integrated circuit suitable for computers enable designers to shrink the size of the computer. Minicomputer frequent to referred to as mid- range computers.

Examples

• IBM MIDRANGE COMPUTERS
• Prime 9755-hp3000
• IBM system 360-IBM AS/400

MICRO COMPUTERS (PERSONAL COMPUTER)

This is the most commonly type of computer in use. It is smaller, cheaper and less powerful than mainframes and minicomputer. In the microcomputer all, the component are integrated in one system known as the system unit.

The best known early system was the ALTAIR 8800 introduced in 1975. The term ‘‘microcomputer’’ has practically become anachronism. Smaller micro-computer are also called mobile devices.

These computer include:

• Game consoles

• Laptop and notebook

• Desktop computers

• Tablet computer

Desktop computer: A case and a display but under and on the desk.

Game consoles: Fixed computer specialized for entertain-

Ment purposes (video games).

Laptop and notebook: They are portable and are in one case.

Tablet computer: They are like laptops but with a touch screen, entirely replacing the physical keyboard and so many.

ACCORDING TO TYPES

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF COMPUTERS IN USE TODAY NAMELY;

1. Analogue computer
2. Digital computer
3. Hybrid computer.

Analogue computer

Analogue computers are either electronic or hydraulic devices that are designed to exploit mathematical similarity between physical interrelationships in certain problems instead of numeric, to process their data.

FOR INSTANCE:

 Imagine a computer that receives current as input then converts it in to voltage which may now be added or multiplied and sent to another devices for a specific purpose. The term analogue means ‘‘continuity’’ of associated quantity like an analogue clock measures time by means of the distance traveled by the hand of the clock around a dial.

Examples

Speedometer
Analogue clock
Tire pressure gauge
Thermometer

ADVANTAGES

Store images
Sound, motion pictures
Devices and media that represent.

DISADVANTAGES

Complexity
They were very complicated for containing output for the users some time.

DIGITAL COMPUTER

Digital computer solve problems by performing calculations and by dealing with each number digit by digit. Every things that a digital computer does is based on one operation .The ability to determine whether a switch or ‘‘gate’’, is open or closed that is, the computer can recognize only two states in any of its microscopic circuit on or off, high voltage or low voltage. Using the binary system of numbers where there in only I and O,

1 stands for on and O stands for off. The speed at which the computer performs this simple act however, it is what makes it a marvel or Modern technology.

Examples

Digital watches
Calculators
Apple Macintosh etc.

HYBRID COMPUTER

Hybrid computer contain elements of both digital and analogue computer. They are usually used for problems in which large numbers of complex equations, known as Time integrals, are to be computed.

Examples

Devices used in petrol pump.
They are used in the hospitals to measure the heartbeat of patient.
Hybrid machines are generally used in scientific applications or in controlling industrial processes.
ACCORDING TO FUNCTIONALITY

ACCORDING TO FUNCTIONALITY

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COMPUTER UNDER THIS CATEGORY. THEY ARE:

GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS

These are multipurpose computer capable of solving a wide range of problems (task). They can be used in and various aspect like drawing, typing, calculating, designing multi-media functions playing games etc. Examples are the desktop computer, laptop, mini tower computer, etc.

SPECIAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS

These are dedicated computers designed solely for the purpose for solving a particular problem. Examples are the road traffic light control, calculator’s robots (robotic), counting machine etc.

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