Unit II

Information Technology II
AMC-402

Computer Classification

A computer is a device that transforms unusable data into information. According to the set of
instructions the user gives it, it processes the input and generates the desired outcome. Modern
digital computers are classified on the basis of their size and capacity. The size and data handling
capabilities of the various types of computers may be used to categorize them into two groups.

1. Computers according to Size:

• Supercomputer.

• Mainframe computer.

• Personal computer.

• Workstation.

• Minicomputer.
2. Computers according to their Capacity to manage data:

• Digital computer.

• Hybrid computer.

• Analog computer.
Types of Computer: By Size:

Classification of computers based on size :

Computers can be classified into four according to their size and capacity.
They are:

1. Supercomputers
2. Mainframe computers
3. Minicomputers
4. Microcomputers
1. Supercomputers: Supercomputers are the largest, fastest, and most expensive computers. A
super computer is as big as a room and it is found in big organisations. It is used in weather
forecasting and oil exploration. It is designed to process huge amount of data. E.gs are CRAY-2,
Cyber 205, IBM 3090, ETA-10,etc.

The most efficient computers in terms of processing data and performance are supercomputers.
These computers are used for research and exploratory purposes. Supercomputers are exceedingly
large and highly expensive. It can only fit in large, air-conditioned spaces.
Supercomputers are used for a range of tasks, such as space exploration, seismic research, and the
testing of nuclear weapons.

Supercomputer Features:
• They make use of AI (Artificial intelligence)

• They are the fastest and strongest;

• They are very costly.

• They are enormous in size.

• They are employed by companies that manufacture goods.

• They process information at a rapid rate.

Examples:
• Fugaku (Japan)

• IBM Blue Gene

• Cray XT5

2. Mainframe computers: These computers are second largest and powerful computer by size.
They can handle large amount of processing and allow many users at the same time. They are very
expensive and are found in large organisations such as banks, insurance companies, etc. Mainframe
computers are also known as big iron computers. E.gs of mainframe computers are all computers
from first to third generations, IBM-360/370, DEC 1090, Cyber's 170, ICL'S Series9, etc.
Despite being less efficient than supercomputers, mainframe computers are nevertheless extremely
expensive. Large corporations and governmental organizations frequently employ mainframe
computers to run everyday operations. They have the ability to store and analyze a lot of data. To
maintain information on their customers, students, and insurance policyholders, banks, colleges,
and insurance companies utilize them. They may also act as a server in a network environment.
Hundreds of users may be managed simultaneously by them.

Mainframe Computer Features:

• They have enormous amounts of memory.

• They are capable of running several different operating systems.

• They have a significant number of CPUs with powerful processing speeds.

• Tightly Coupled Clustering Technology is employed.

Examples:

• IBM Z Series

• Unisys ClearPath

3. Minicomputers: A minicomputer is a medium sized computer. It is bigger than microcomputer

but much smaller than mainframe. A minicomputer can support more than one user at a time and
it has a larger storage capacity. It is also known as mid range computer. E.gs of minicomputers are
IBM 38, MV 400, HP 3000, NCR 9300,etc.

Minicomputers are used by small businesses and industries. They go by the term "Midrange
Computers." These minicomputers frequently have several users, just as mainframe computers.
They are a bit slower than mainframe computers.

For example, the manufacturing department may employ minicomputers to keep an eye on specific
production processes.
Features of Minicomputers:

• It is smaller than mainframes or supercomputers in terms of size.

• In comparison to a mainframe or supercomputer, it is less costly.

• It is able to perform many jobs at once.

• It may be utilized by several users simultaneously.

• It is utilized by small businesses.

Examples:
• DEC PDP-11

• Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)

• VAX Systems
4. Microcomputers: These computers are the most frequently used type of computer. They came
in form of desktop or notebook size computing device that use a microprocessor as their central
processing unit (CPU). Microcomputers are also called personal computers (PC). E.gs are desktop
computers, laptops and palmtop computers.

A microcomputer, sometimes referred to as a personal computer (PC), is a type of computer that

runs on a smaller scale than traditional computers (Personal Computer). A component that is
commonly referred to as a motherboard houses the central processing unit (CPU), a
microprocessor, memory in the form of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access
Memory), I/O ports, and a bus system of connecting wires. They are the most affordable.

Features of Microcomputers:

• They are extensively employed for personal usage.

• They are smaller and comparably less expensive.

• Multi-user functionality is not supported.
• It has a limited computational capacity.

• They are quite simple to use.

Examples:

• Desktop PCs

• Laptops

• Smartphones

• Tablets
• Raspberry Pi

Types of Computer: By Mechanism(Work):

Classification of computers based on Capacity or Mechanism(work)

According to fundamental operating principles, there are three different kinds of computers. They
are as follows:

1. Analogous Computers

Analog computers process analog data. Temperature, pressure, weight, depth, and voltage are a
few examples of this type of data. These have an infinite range of values and are continuous
quantities.

The first computers were analog, and they laid the groundwork for today's digital computers.
Examples:

• Analog thermometers

• Speedometers
• Flight simulators

2. Digital Computers

In digital computers, letters, numbers, and other special symbols are represented by digits. On-off
(ON-OFF) inputs are used by digital computers, and ON-OFF signals are also generated by them.

An ON is often represented by a 1 and an OFF by a 0, respectively.

A digital computer is capable of processing both numerical and non-numerical data. In addition to
doing fundamental arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, it
can also perform logical operations.
Examples:

• Personal computers

• Laptops

• Smartphones

• Servers

3. Hybrid Computers

Computers that combine digital and analog components are called hybrid computers.
It combines the best features of both types, having the speed of an analog computer with the
memory and precision of a digital computer.
Hybrid computers are typically used in specific applications where both forms of data need to be
processed. As an example, a gas pump contains a processor that converts measurements of fuel
flow into information about quality and cost.

Examples:

• Hospital patient monitoring systems

• Control systems in factories

Classification of computer based on purpose :

The computer is classified into two parts according to purpose or degree of versatility.

They are;

1. General-purpose computers

2. Special-purpose computers
1. General-purpose computers: These are computers designed to solve a wide variety of tasks.
A general-purpose computer has the ability to store different programs and to perform a variety
of tasks. They accomplish these tasks because of the application software stored inside them.
They are so versatile that most business today use them. Examples of general-purpose computers
are desktop computers, laptops, smart phones, etc.

General computers are designed to perform various everyday tasks such as;
o Document preparation

o Financial analysis

o Printing documents

o Basic Input/Output functions

o Creating databases
o Data Saving on a smaller scale

o Calculations with accuracy and consistency.

o General performing activities

The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers are essentially less. The capacity of these
computers is limited in completing specialized tasks. These may include basic calculators,
laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, etc., which can help individuals to meet their basic
essential functions.

2. Special-purpose computers: These are computers designed mainly to perform specific tasks.
They are programmed for solving a particular problem. Examples are; ultrasound machines,
ATM, etc

When a computer is outlined specifically to perform a certain function, such type of computer is
identified as a Special Purpose computer. The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers
principally depend on the nature and size of the work. The function of these computers is consistent
with any particular task, that is these computers are designed to perform a particular or specialized
task.

These types may include:

o Thermometers to test temperature

o Devices used for examining climate change

o Generators to manage electricity

o Large computers for IT Companies

Examples of special-purpose computers

o Automatic teller machines (ATM)

 o Traffic-control computers

o Surveillance equipment

o Weather-forecasting simulators
o Washing machines

o Military planes controlling computers

o Defence-oriented applications

o Oil-exploration systems

A public computer is one that is available to the general public and is generally fire-walled and
limited to running only pre-installed applications.

A personal computer has only one user, who has full access to all hardware resources, complete
control over all aspects of the computer, and the ability to install and delete software. Personal files
are usually stored on personal computers.

A shared computer is one on which multiple individuals may log on at various times. They would,
however, have usernames and passwords assigned on a long-term basis, with the files they see and
the computer’s settings tailored to their specific account, unlike public computers.
Display computers are computers that are only used to display a limited amount of information in
a store, meeting, or trade exhibition and are rarely firewalled. Such computers are typically utilized
and maintained as appliances rather than as the principal storage location for vital files.

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