WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPUTERS SYSTEM AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

 

What are the Different Types of Computers and Their Functions ?

Do you know, What are the Different Types of Computer System and Their Functions ? All of you must have used computer, because nowadays it is readily available in all places whether it be schools or offices. At the same time, all of you must have noticed one thing that all these computers do not have the same capacity and size to work.


Where some computers are very small, some are large in size. Some work very fast, some work very slowly. Now the question arises whether all these computers are of one type or they are different from each other.


Just to answer this question, I am writing this article to inform you about, What are the Different Types of Computer System and Their Functions ?


In this article, we will learn about What are the Different Types of Computer System and Their Functions ? and will also know how we can divide them according to their function, purpose and size. Hopefully by the end of this article, you will definitely get answers to your questions. Then without any further delay, let's start.

What is a Computer ?

Laptop

A computer is a machine that has been programmed to do a lot of tasks for us. It takes our commands according to the input, processes it and in the end provides our results according to the required output.


It also has some important characteristics like :-


1. It responds to a specific set of instructions in a very well-defined manner

2. It executes a prerecorded list of instructions (called program)

3. It is able to store and retrieve large amounts of data with great ease


Apart from this, computers are capable of performing many complex and repetitive procedures quickly, precisely and reliably.


Talking about modern computers, then they are electronic and digital. The actual machinery (wires, transistors, and circuits) in it are called hardware; Whereas instructions and data are called software.


All general-purpose computers include the hardware components described below,


1. Central Processing Unit (CPU): It is the brain of the computer, a component that actually executes instructions that are organized by programs ("software") and it instructs the computer what to do.


2. Memory (fast, expensive, short-term memory): These enable the computer to store things, even if temporarily correct such as data, programs, and intermediate results.


3. Mass Storage Device (slower, cheaper, longer-term memory): This allows a computer to sustain a large amount of data and programs in between tasks. Common mass storage devices are disk drives and tape drives.


4. Input Device: This is the function of input device to enter data and instructions into the computer. The keyboard and mouse are the main ones.


5. Output Device: Output device is used to show final results to users. There are display screen, printer in it.

How many Types of Computer are there ?

All of you will probably want to know the types of computer present. By the way, there are many types of computers, but to understand them easily, they are divided into different categories. Which will make it easier for anyone to understand them.

What are the Different Types of Computers ?

They are mainly divided on three different grounds.


1. Based on mechanism

2. Based on Purpose

3. Based on Size

• Based on Mechanism on the Basis of Methodology

Based on methodology, they are classified into three parts Analog, Digital, and Hybrid. About which we will learn now.


1. Analog Computers

Analog Computer is said to be those computers which uses analog signal to display information. Analog computers are used to process analog data.


These analog data are of continuous nature, which are not discrete or separate. In these data, temperature, pressure, speed weight, voltage, depth etc. are the main ones.


In these, information which is continuous form is displayed in the shape of curves. They are used to measure continuous physical quantity such as current flow, temperature, blood pressure, heart beats.


These quantities are continuous and values of an infinite variety are found in them.


It measures continuous changes in some physical quantity like the Speedometer is used to measure the speed of the car, the thermometer is used to measure the change in temperature, while the Weighing Machine is used to measure the weight. It happens for


These computers are ideal for situations where data is accepted directly from the measuring instrument and which does not require any kind of conversion into numbers or codes.


Analog computers were the first computers that were developed and celebrated the basis of modern digital computers developments.



What are the Application's of Analog Computers ?

Analog computers are mostly used in some specialized engineering and scientific applications to calculate and measure analog quantities.


They are also used for process control, such as in oil refinery where both flow and temperature measurements are important.


They are also used for paper making as well as in the chemical industry.


Analog computers do not require any kind of storage capability as they measure and measure quantities in a single operation.


Output from an analog computer is often in the form of readings such as a series of dials (of a car in a speedometer) or in a strip chart in the form of a graph.

2. Digital Computers

A Digital Computer, as its name suggests, suggests that they work with digits that represent numerals, letters or any other special symbols.


Digital computers operate on the basis of inputs which are ON-OFF type and their output is also in the form of ON-OFF signal. Normally, ON is represented by a 1 and OFF is represented by a 0.


So here we can say that digital computers process information based on the presence or absence of electrical signal or on binary 1 or 0.


A digital computer is also used to process numeric as well as non-numeric data. It can also perform many arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and also logical operations.


Most of the computers which are available in the present time are all digital computers. Some common examples of Digital Computers are accounting machines and calculators.


If we talk about results then digital computers provide more accurate results than analog computers. Analog computers are much faster than digital.


Analog computers do not have memory, whereas digital computers have to store information. We can say that digital computers count, while analog computers are used to measure.


They display computer information based on text, graphics, and pictures.

3. Hybrid Computers

A Hybrid Computer is actually a combination of digital and analog computers. In this, the best features of both types of computers are combined together. Which are the speed of Analog Computer and the memory and accuracy of Digital Computer.


Hybrid computers are used in all those specialized applications where both types of data need to be processed. This helps the user to process both types of data (continuous and discrete).


For example :- In a petrol pump a processor converts fuel flow measurements into quantity and price values.


In a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an analog device is used to measure the patient's blood pressure and temperature, which is then converted and displayed in the form of digits.


Hybrid computers are also used in scientific calculations, in defense and radar systems.
It is a computer that is able to understand binary as well as analog signal. Therefore Speed is neither more than analog computer nor less than digital computer.

• Based on Purpose

Computers are classified on the basis of purpose into two parts based on Special Purpose and General Purpose.


1. General Purpose Computers

In recent times, the computers that are used the most are called General-Purpose computers - they are built to do many variety of processing jobs.


You can complete many tasks only by using a general purpose computer and some different software, including writing and editing (word processing), manipulating the facts in the data base, tracking manufacturing inventory, making scientific calculations. For, or to maintain the security system of an organization, they are used in many such works.


This general purpose computer can do so many varietly operations because it can easily store and execute different programs in its internal storage.



2. Special Purpose Computers

As the name itself suggests, a Special-Purpose Computer is designed to perform a specific type of task and most of the time they are used only to solve a particular problem. Hence they are also called Dedicated Computers. Because they are meant to perform a single task over and over again.


Such type of computer system is used in graphic intensive video games, navigational system of an aircraft, weather forecasting, traffic light control system, satellite launch / tracking, and automotive industries, oil exploration, in a digital watch to take care of time, or robot helicopter. It is used exclusively.


In this special purpose computer you will get to see many of the same features which are in a general purpose computer. In this, a special function is given more attention.


The instructions that control it are directly built into the computer, so that it becomes more efficient and is also able to perform a very effective operation.


Since it is made to do the same work, so that it gets the support of all the other things, to do the same work properly.


Its one big drawback is that it has no versatility in it. Which means that it cannot be used in any other operations.

• Based on Size

On the basis of size, we can divide the computer into the following categories, the information of which you will get to read in the following article -


1. Super Computer

These computers are multi-user, multiprocessor large computers that have very high efficiency as well as storing capacity.


These supercomputer have the ability to solve very difficult and complex problems within a few nano seconds. Many RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processors would have been used to make it.


Supercomputers are the fastest and most valuable computers. These computers are used to solve complex science and engineering problems.


Supercomputers use parallel processing to make the most of its processing, so that many CPUs are used at the same time. A typical supercomputer performs about ten trillion individual calculations in a second.



What are the Application's of Super Computers ?

(i) They are used to forecast weather and global climates

(ii) They are used in military research and defense systems

(iii) They are used in designing automobile, aircraft, and spacecraft

(iv) Simultaneously used in sensitive intelligence information for encrypting and decoding 

(v) They are used in seismography, plasma and nuclear research

(vi) Protein folding analysis

(vii) In studying DNA structure and gene engineering

(viii) Digital film rendering


C-DAC (Center for Development of Advanced Computer) developed the PARAM series Super Computer in India.


ANURAG is also a Super Computer of India. Mr. Seymour Cray is the only person who developed the world's first supercomputer, which was named Cray-1 in 1976.


2. MainFrame Computer

Mainframe (this means "big iron") computers which are very large in appearance like iron building. They are very much like a super computer, while the main difference between these two is that a supercomputer uses all its raw power, that too for some tasks only, while a mainframe used to do many tasks at the same time.


For this type of nature, mainframe computers are often employed in large organizations where data is processed in bulk, such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and transaction processing.


At the same time, due to being a more powerful multi-user computer, mainframe computers are used in large business organizations, for examinations in examination department, for processing such data in industries and defense which are very complex. They can easily process many requests very easily. 


More than 100 users can use mainframe computer at a time because it works on the basis of time sharing mode. Its word length is from 48 bits to 64 bits.


The first Mainframe Computer System was built by IBM, System / 360, in 1964.


Other examples of IBM are: IBM S / 390, IBM S / 709, ICL 39, CDC 6600



What are the Application's of MainFrame Computers ?

(i) Government and civilian

(ii) To do credit card processing

(iii) in the bank

(iv) In Marketing

(V) In a large organization to do business data processing

(vi) in air traffic control system

(vii) To design industrial

3. Mini Computer

Minicomputers are larger and more powerful than most microcomputers, while smaller and less powerful than most mainframe computer systems.


While microcomputer systems of high-end models (called super micros) are more powerful than some midrange computers, midrange systems (supermini) of high-end models are more powerful than mainframe computers of some smaller models. .


This is also a multi-user computer that supports a lot of people working together. These are more valuable than microcomputer. They are used more in university, big business organizations to process complex data.


In addition, it is also used in scientific research, instrumentation system, engineering analysis, industrial process monitoring and control.


Examples of Mini Computers are: PDP-11, VAX

4. Micro Computer

Micro Computer is also called a personal computer because it is a computer designed to do the work of a user at the same time.


This term microcomputer is related to a term microprocessor that is used to do certain tasks with a personal computer such as to process data and also instruction codes.


This is a very common type of computer to use.


Desktop computers are not designed to be mobile. They can be taken from one place to another but very rarely and where there is a correct power supply. It is a fixed computer.


The first personal computer - Apple-1 was built in 1976, it was designed by Apple computer. In 1981, IBM also announced its IBM 5150 PC.



Now the computers which are more used are all microcomputer only. They are also called Home PC or Personal computer (PC) as it is used by single user. This computer supports many higher level languages, multimedia, graphics, 3D graphics and games.


They are more popular among students, professionals because of their small size, low price, and low maintenance cost. At the same time it is equally easy to operate them.


Due to these Micro PCs, the Internet became so popular in a very short time, and they are available for all income groups.

5. Laptop Computers

These laptop or handheld computers are not replacement for desktop computers. While desktop computers are used to perform major processing functions, these laptops are also used in slightly less complex tasks.


These laptop computers are very small, portable, less power consuming, plus they are equipped with all modern facilities which are in a modern PC.


These computers are fully powered by the battery. At the same time, their storage capacity is less than that of a personal computer. But they can be taken anytime and anywhere and can also be used together.


The first to think of a laptop computer was Alan Kay, who used to work at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center at that time in 1970 and he named it notebook. But the first laptop was designed by William Moggridge in 1979, who used to work in Grid System Crops.


In 1983, Gavilan produced a laptop computer with 64 Kilobyte memory, it also had MS-DOS operating system, touchpad mouse, portable printer which weighed around 9Ib.

6. Palmtop Computer

As people came to know about the computer, they started using it more and more. Due to which scientists have to search for such new computers so that people's needs can be easily fulfilled.


That's why Palmtop computers were created. With its help, it can also be used in remote areas where no electricity facilities are available.


It is used mostly used by higher authorities, social workers, researchers who work in such remote rural areas. Where you need a table for the desktop, you can use it on your lap for the laptop, in the palm for the palmtop.

Conclusion

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