CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMPUTERS

There is an almost bewildering variety of computers, and the number of models available is rapidly
growing. To some extent this variety is redundant; many machines are similar in capacity. But to a greater
extent the variety of computers is related to important differences in capacity and functions.

The distinctions among the various categories of computers has been subject to controversy. Computers
may be classified according to their purpose, according to the kind of processing they do or types of data
they use, and also according to the size of the machine and the speed of its internal operations.

Speed of operation is often the most important consideration in deciding which equipment to choose for a
particular task. With today's machines, It is generally true that the bigger the machine, the faster the
operating speed.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMPUTERS BY PURPOSE

Digital computers may be utilized for either special or general purposes.

1. General-Purpose Computers - This machines have the capability of dealing with variety of different
problems, and are able to act in response to programs created to meet different needs. A general-
purpose computer is one that has the ability to store different programs of instruction and thus to perform
a variety of operations.

2. Special-Purpose Computers - as to the name implies, is designed to perform one specific tasks. The
program of instructions is built into, or permanently stored in the machine. Specialization results in the
given task being performed very quickly and efficiently. Most special purpose computers have the
capability of performing just one task. They are frequently referred to us "dedicated," because of their
limitations to the specific task at hand.

CLASSIFICATION BY TYPE OF DATA HANDLED

There are essentially two different types of computer processing. Each is made possible by a different
kind of circuitry , and each is suitable for different purposes.

1. Analog Computers - The name analog comes from the word "analogous", meaning similar. Analog
computers are used for scientific, engineering, and process control purposes. Because they deal with
quantities that are continuously variable., they give only approximate results. This types of computer
provides an analog or simulation of the object or system it represents. It is especially useful for solving
problems that involve relationships between variable quantities in systems that change with time. The
analog compute may express changing relationships in output in the form of graphs. It is able to create
such pictures because it responds to changes in electrical voltages that match changes in variable
quantities.

2. Digital Computers - Is a machine the specializes in counting. It operates by counting values that are
discrete, or separate and distinct, unlike the continuous quantities that can be measured by the analog
computer. Digital Computers are used for both business data processing and accuracy. The basic
operation performed by a digital computer is addition. It can store the sums of addition problems as they
accumulate, and can complete a single calculation in a fraction of a nanosecond. The digital computer is
capable of storing data as long as needed, performing logical operations, editing input data, and printing
out the results of its processing at hight speed.
3. Hybrid Computers - Although both analog and digital computers are extremely used in widely
accepted in various industries, manufacturers have to attempted to designed a computer that combines
the best features of both types. This special-purpose machine called a hybrid, computer, combines the
measuring capabilities of the analog computer and the logical and control capabilities of the digital
computer. It offers an efficient and economical method of working out special types of problems in
science and various areas of engineering. Some Hybrid machines contain special equipment to convert
analog voltages into digital voltages,and vice-versa.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO CAPACITY

The term "capacity" refers to the volume of work or the data processing capacity a computer can handle.
Their performance is judged by the:

1. Amount of data that can be stored in memory

2. speed of internal operation of the computer

3. number and type of of peripheral device.

4. amount and type of software available for use with the computer

The capacity of early generation computers were determined by their physical size- the large the size, the
greater the volume. In computer terms, size and speed of operation are at present proportionate to each
other. Generally, though, recent, technology is tending to create smaller machines, making it possible to
package equivalent speed and capacity in a smaller format.

Computer System Classification

1. MICROCOMPUTERS= The mass production of silicon chips since 1971 has made it possible to
put a "brain"into all sorts of machines. One such machine is the microcomputer. This machines
has takes fullest advantage of the use of large-scale integration on silicon chips. The
microprocessors literally contain a computer on a chip that can pass through the eye of needle.
Microcomputers memories are generally made of semiconductors fabricated on silicons chips. It
is a digital computer system under the control of a stored program that uses a microprocessor, a
programmable read-only memory (ROM), and a random-access memory (RAM), The ROM
defines the instructions to be executed by the computer while RAM is the functional equivalent of
computer memory.

2. MINICOMPUTERS= Technological advances in the 1960's enabled manufactures to respond to

the growing demand for a similar stand-alone machine, the minicomputer, to handle task that
large computers could not perform economically. Minicomputer system (or small mainframe
computers) provide faster operating speeds and larger storage capacities than microcomputers
systems. They can support a large number of high-speed input/output devices. Several desk
drives can be used to provide online access to large data files as required for direct- access
processing.

Operating system developed for minicomputer systems generally support both multiprogramming
and virtual storage. This means that many programs can be run concurrently. This type of
computer system is very flexible and can be expanded to meet the needs of users.

Minicomputers usually have from 8k to 256K memory storage locations, and a relatively
 established applications software. although the minicomputer is not as powerful as the medium or
large-size computer, it is quite close.

3. MEDIUM-SIZE COMPUTERS= it provide faster operating speeds and larger storage capabilities
than small computer systems. They can support a large number of high-speed input-output
devices, and several disk drives can be used to provide online access processing. Also support
both multiprogramming and virtual storage. This allows the running of a variety of programs
concurrently.

Medium-size computer system are very flexible; they can be expanded to meet the needs of
users. The possibility of increasing the data processing capability of a computer by adding
devices, such additional memory, and other peripheral devices, is called expandability.

4. LARGE COMPUTERS=are the ultimate in system sophistication, flexibility, and speed. They
usually contain full control systems with minimal operator intervention. Large computer systems
range from single-processing configurations to nationwide computer based networks involving
general large computers. Large computers have storage capacities from 512K to 819K, and these
computers have internal operating speeds measured in terms of nanoseconds, as a compared to
smaller computers where speed in terms of microseconds.

5. SUPERCOMPUTERS= The biggest and fastest machines today are the supercomputers that are
used when billions or even trillions of calculations are needed. These machines are essential for
applications ranging from nuclear weapon to accurate weather forecasting.

Supercomputers are machines that have capabilities far beyond even the traditional large scale
systems. Their speed is in the 100-million-instructions-per-second range.