What is a computer? Computer Basics : A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. it’s the power to store, retrieve, and process data. You simply can use a computer to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the online. You’ll also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.
Hardware vs. software
Before we mention differing types of computers, let’s mention two things all computers have in common: hardware and software.
Hardware is any part of your computer that features a body, like the keyboard or mouse. It also includes all of the computer’s internal parts.
Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it. Examples of software include web browsers, games, and word processors.
Everything you are doing on your computer will rely on both hardware and software. For instance, immediately you’ll be viewing this lesson in a web browser (software) and using your mouse (hardware) to click from page to page. As you study differing types of computers, ask yourself about the differences in their hardware.
What are the various types of computers?
When most of the people hear the word computer, they consider a personal computer like a desktop or laptop. However, computers are available many shapes and sizes, and that they perform many various functions in our daily lives. Once you withdraw cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the shop , or use a calculator, you’re employing a type of computer.
We can categorize computer in two ways: on the basis of data handling capabilities and size.
On the basis of data handling capabilities, the computer is of three types:
1) Analogue computers
Analogue computers are designed to process analogue data. Analogue data is continuous data that changes continuously and can’t have discrete values. we will say that analogue computers are used where we do not need exact values always like speed, temperature, pressure and current.
Analogue computers directly accept the info from the measuring instrument without first converting it into numbers and codes. They measure the continual changes in physical quantity and usually render output as a reading on a dial or scale. Speedometer and mercury-in-glass thermometer are samples of analogue computers.
Advantages of using analogue computers:
- It allows real-time operations and computation at an equivalent time and continuous representation of all data within the craze of the analogue machine.
- In some applications, it allows performing calculations without taking the assistance of transducers for converting the inputs or outputs to digital electronic form and the other way around .
- The programmer can scale the matter for the dynamic range of the analog computer . It provides insight into the matter and helps understand the errors and their effects.
2) Digital Computer
Digital computer is meant to perform calculations and logical operations at high speed. It accepts the data as input within the sort of digits or binary numbers (0 and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to supply the output. All modern computers like laptops, desktops including smartphones that we use reception or office are digital computers. Digital computer is meant to perform calculations and logical operations at high speed. It accepts the data as input within the sort of digits or binary numbers (0 and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to supply the output. All modern computers like laptops, desktops including smartphones that we use reception or office are digital computers.
Advantages of digital computers:
- It allows you to store a large amount of information and to retrieve it easily whenever you need it.
- You can easily add new features to digital systems more easily.
- Different applications can be used in digital systems just by changing the program without making any changes in hardware
- The cost of hardware is less due to the advancement in the IC technology.
- It offers high speed as the data is processed digitally.
- It is highly reliable as it uses error correction codes.
- Reproducibility of results is higher as the output is not affected by noise, temperature, humidity, and other properties of its components.
3) Hybrid Computer
Hybrid computer has features of both analogue and digital computer. It is fast like an analogue computer and has memory and accuracy like digital computers. It can process both continuous and discrete data. It accepts analogue signals and convert them into digital form before processing. So, it is widely used in specialized applications where both analogue and digital data is processed. For example, a processor is used in petrol pumps that converts the measurements of fuel flow into quantity and price. Similarly, they are used in airplanes, hospitals, and scientific applications.
Advantages of using hybrid computers:
- Its computing speed is very high due to the all-parallel configuration of the analogue subsystem.
- It produces precise and quick results that are more accurate and useful.
- It has the ability to solve and manage big equation in real-time.
- It helps in the on-line data processing.
On the basis of size, the computer can be of five types:
- Supercomputer
- Mainframe computer
- Minicomputer
- Workstation
- Microcomputer
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