Computers
can be classified in various ways:
can be classified in various ways:
1.
According to function they perform
According to function they perform
2.
According to purpose they serve
According to purpose they serve
3.
According to size
According to size
Classification According to Function
1.
Digital computer function by taking discrete number and performing
calculation on them.
Digital computer function by taking discrete number and performing
calculation on them.
2.
Analogue computer functions by measuring continuous form
Analogue computer functions by measuring continuous form
3.
Hybrid is a combination of both analogue and digital computer
Hybrid is a combination of both analogue and digital computer
Classification According to Purpose
1. Special Purpose Computer: These
computers are designed for a particular job or task only to solve problem of
restricted nature. Example of such computers is those designed for Air Traffic
Light Control, computer Bible, Weapon guidance system etc.
computers are designed for a particular job or task only to solve problem of
restricted nature. Example of such computers is those designed for Air Traffic
Light Control, computer Bible, Weapon guidance system etc.
2. General Purpose Computer: As the name implies is designed to solve a wide range of problems,
ranging from accounting work to engineering analysis, statistical problems,
legal matters etc. it uses store program to switch from one application to
another.
ranging from accounting work to engineering analysis, statistical problems,
legal matters etc. it uses store program to switch from one application to
another.
Classification According to Size
Considering
the physical size, the power and capacity of the computer, we have the
following:
the physical size, the power and capacity of the computer, we have the
following:
Mainframe Computers: They are large computer in terms of price, power
and speed. Mainframe computers have a wider variety of peripheral devices, they
are found with the smaller computers. They support more users. Their processing
speeds are much faster than the speeds of smaller computers. They can process
high volume of data quickly and in terms of cost, it is more expensive compare
to the smaller computer and it requires specialists to manage it.
and speed. Mainframe computers have a wider variety of peripheral devices, they
are found with the smaller computers. They support more users. Their processing
speeds are much faster than the speeds of smaller computers. They can process
high volume of data quickly and in terms of cost, it is more expensive compare
to the smaller computer and it requires specialists to manage it.
Super Computer: Super computers are the fastest and highest capacity machine built
today, they can cost millions of dollars and are use in large- scale activities
such as weather forecasting Earthquake, Aircraft and mathematical research. The
fastest computer in the world is located at Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico.
Being the fastest class of computer they can manipulate or process millions of
data per seconds.
today, they can cost millions of dollars and are use in large- scale activities
such as weather forecasting Earthquake, Aircraft and mathematical research. The
fastest computer in the world is located at Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico.
Being the fastest class of computer they can manipulate or process millions of
data per seconds.
Microcomputers: Microcomputers also called personal computer (PCS) were introduced in
the nearly 1970’s and are fastest- growing types of computer today. They come
in a variety of sizes, including desktop, laptop, palmtop, notebook and pen
based. Microcomputer can be used in a
stand alone environment or connected to a network.
the nearly 1970’s and are fastest- growing types of computer today. They come
in a variety of sizes, including desktop, laptop, palmtop, notebook and pen
based. Microcomputer can be used in a
stand alone environment or connected to a network.
Midrange system: There are two types of midrange system: Microcomputer and workstation.
Minicomputers: Were introduced in 1960’ and can support up to 4,000 connected users at
the same time via terminals consisting of a keyboard and a video screen. They
are cheaper than the mainframe. A more recent introduced in 1980’s was the work
station. A workstation is a very powerful desktop computer use mainly by power
users such as graphic specialists for multimedia production. Workstation is
comparable to midsize mainframes but sit on a desktop. They also can be used as
servers to microcomputer connected through network.
the same time via terminals consisting of a keyboard and a video screen. They
are cheaper than the mainframe. A more recent introduced in 1980’s was the work
station. A workstation is a very powerful desktop computer use mainly by power
users such as graphic specialists for multimedia production. Workstation is
comparable to midsize mainframes but sit on a desktop. They also can be used as
servers to microcomputer connected through network.
