P G D C A
FUNDAMENTAL OF COMPUTER
Computer - Types
Computers are divided into different types based on different criteria.
Analogue
Computer
Analogue
computers are designed to process analogue data. Analogue
data is continuous data that changes continuously and cannot have discrete
values. We can say that analogue computers are used where we don't need exact
values always such as speed, temperature, pressure and current.
Analogue
computers directly accept the data from the measuring device without first
converting it into numbers and codes. They measure the continuous changes in
physical quantity and generally render output as a reading on a dial or
scale. Speedometer and mercury thermometer are
examples of analogue computers.
•
It
allows real-time operations and computation at the same time and continuous
representation of all data within the rage of the analogue machine.
•
In
some applications, it allows performing calculations without taking the help of
transducers for converting the inputs or outputs to digital electronic form and
vice versa.
•
The
programmer can scale the problem for the dynamic range of the analogue
computer. It provides insight into the problem and helps understand the errors
and their effects.
Types of analogue computers:
Slide
Rules: It is one of
the simplest types of mechanical analogue computers. It was
developed to perform basic mathematical calculations. It is
made of two rods. To perform the calculation, the hashed rod is slid to line up
with the markings on another rod.
Differential
Analysers: It was
developed to perform differential calculations. It performs
integration using wheel-and-disc mechanisms to solve differential calculations.
Castle
Clock: It was
invented by Al-Jarazi. It was able to save programming
instructions. Its height was around 11 feet and it was provided with the
display of time, the zodiac, and the solar and lunar orbits. This device also
could allow users to set the length of the day as per the current season.
Electronic
Analogue Computer:
In this type of analogue computer, electrical signals flow through capacitors
and resistors to simulate physical phenomena. Here, the mechanical interaction
of components does not take place. The voltage of the electrical signal generates
the appropriate displays.
Digital
Computer
Digital
computer is designed to perform calculations and logical operations at high
speed. It accepts the raw data as input in the form of digits or binary numbers
(0 and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to produce the
output. All modern computers like laptops, desktops including smartphones that
we use at home 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.
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:
1)
Supercomputer
2)
Mainframe
computer
3)
Mini
frame or Minicomputer
4)
Workstation
5)
Microcomputer
Supercomputers
are the biggest and fastest computers. They are designed to
process huge amount of data. A supercomputer can process trillions
of instructions in a second. It has thousands of interconnected
processors.
Supercomputers
are particularly used in scientific and engineering applications such
as weather forecasting, scientific simulations and nuclear energy research. The
first supercomputer was developed by Roger Cray in 1976.
Characteristics
or applications of supercomputers:
•
It
has the ability to decrypt your password to enhance protection for security
reasons.
•
It
produces excellent results in animations.
•
It
is used for virtual testing of nuclear weapons and critical medical tests.
•
It
can study and understand climate patterns and forecast weather conditions. It
can run in NOAA's system (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) that
can execute any type of simple and logical data.
•
It
helps in designing the flight simulators for pilots at the beginner level for
their training.
•
It
helps in extracting useful information from data storage centres or cloud
system. For example, in insurance companies.
•
It
has played a vital role in managing the online currency world such as stock
market and bitcoin.
•
It
helps in the diagnosis of various critical diseases and in producing accurate
results in brain injuries, strokes, etc.
•
It
helps in scientific research areas by accurately analysing data obtained from
exploring the solar system, satellites, and movement of Earth.
• It also used in a smog control system where it predicts the level of fog and other pollutants in the atmosphere.
Mainframe
computer
Mainframe
computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same time. It means
they can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of
mainframe computers make them ideal for big organizations like banking and
telecom sectors, which need to manage and process high volume of data.
Mainframe
computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at
the same time. It means they can execute different processes simultaneously.
These features of mainframe computers make them ideal for big organizations
like banking and telecom sectors, which need to manage and process a high
volume of data that requires integer operations such as indexing, comparisons,
etc.
• It can process huge amount of data, e.g. millions of transactions in a second in the banking sector.
• It
has a very long life. It can run smoothly for up to 50 years after proper
installation.
• It
gives excellent performance with large scale memory management.
• It
has the ability to share or distribute its workload among other processors and
input/output terminals.
• There
are fewer chances of error or bugs during processing in mainframe computers. If
any error occurs it can fix it quickly without affecting the performance.
• It
has the ability to protect the stored data and other ongoing exchange of
information and data.
In health
care, it enabled hospitals to maintain a record of their millions
of patients in order to contact them for treatment or related to their
appointment, medicine updates or disease updates.
In
the field of defence, it allows the defence departments to
share a large amount of sensitive information with other branches of defence.
In
the field of education, it helps big universities to store,
manage and retrieve data related to their courses, admissions, students,
teachers, employees and affiliated schools and colleges.
In
the retail sector, the retail companies that have a huge
customer base and branches use mainframe computers to handle and execute
information related to their inventory management, customer management, and
huge transactions in a short duration.
Mini frame or Minicomputer
It is a midsize multiprocessing computer. It consists of two or more processors and can support 4 to 200 users at one time. Miniframe computers are used in institutes and departments for tasks such as billing, accounting and inventory management. A minicomputer lies between the mainframe and microcomputer as it is smaller than mainframe but larger than a microcomputer
• It is light weight that makes it easy to carry and fit anywhere.
•
It
is less expensive than mainframe computers.
•
It
is very fast compared to its size.
•
It
remains charged for a long time.
•
It
does not require a controlled operational environment.
Applications of minicomputers:
In health care, it enabled hospitals to maintain a record of their millions of patients in order to contact them for treatment or related to their appointment, medicine updates or disease updates.
In
the field of defence, it allows the defence departments to
share a large amount of sensitive information with other branches of defence.
In
the field of education, it helps big universities to store,
manage and retrieve data related to their courses, admissions, students,
teachers, employees and affiliated schools and colleges.
In
the retail sector, the retail companies that have a huge
customer base and branches use mainframe computers to handle and execute
information related to their inventory management, customer management, and
huge transactions in a short duration.
A minicomputer is mainly used to perform three primary functions, which are as follows:
Process
control: It was
used for process control in manufacturing. It mainly performs two primary
functions that are collecting data and feedback. If any abnormality occurs in the
process, it is detected by the minicomputer and necessary adjustments are made
accordingly.
Data
management: It is
an excellent device for small organizations to collect, store and share data.
Local hospitals and hotels can use it to maintain the records of their patients
and customers respectively.
Communications
Portal: It can also
play the role of a communication device in larger systems by serving as a
portal between a human operator and a central processor or computer.
Workstation
is a single user computer that is designed for technical
or scientific applications. It has a faster microprocessor, a large
amount of RAM and high speed graphic adapters. It generally performs
a specific job with great expertise; accordingly, they are of different
types such as graphics workstation, music workstation and engineering design
workstation.
• It is a high-performance computer system designed for a single user for business or professional use.
•
It
has larger storage capacity, better graphics, and more powerful CPU than a
personal computer.
•
It
can handle animation, data analysis, CAD, audio and video creation and editing.
• Multiple Processor Cores: It has more processor cores than simple laptops or computers.
•
ECC RAM: It
is provided with Error-correcting code memory that can fix memory errors before
they affect the system's performance.
•
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): It refers to multiple internal hard drives to
store or process data. RAID can be of different types, for example, there can
be multiple drives to process data or mirrored drives where if one drive does
not work than other starts functioning.
•
SSD: It is
better than conventional hard-disk drives. It does not have moving parts, so
the chances of physical failure are very less.
•
Optimized, Higher end GPU: It reduces the load on CPU. E.g., CPU has to do less work while
processing the screen output.
Microcomputer
•
Microcomputer
is also known as a personal computer. It is a general-purpose computer that is
designed for individual use. It has a microprocessor as a central processing
unit, memory, storage area, input unit and output unit. Laptops and desktop
computers are examples of microcomputers. They are suitable for personal work
that may be making an assignment, watching a movie, or at office for office
work.
Characteristics of a microcomputer:
•
It
is the smallest in size among all types of computers.
•
A
limited number of software can be used.
•
It
is designed for personal work and applications. Only one user can work at a
time.
•
It
is less expansive and easy to use.
•
It
does not require the user to have special skills or training to use it.
•
Generally,
comes with single semiconductor chip.
•
It
is capable of multitasking such as printing, scanning, browsing, watching
videos, etc
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