Subject: Computer Basics
Analog devices perform operates on data that are represented within the device by continuous variables having a physical resemblance to quantities such as electrical, mechanical and hydraulic. These devices process signals like voltage or frequencies. They are widely used to work on continuous system such as operation of air craft, nuclear power plants and industrial chemical process.
These are specific purpose computer dedicated to a single job only. Accuracy offered by Analog computer is less and output can vary even if the input is identical. It has no storage facility and output generated by analog device is difficult to interpret. E.g. Thermometer, Ammeter, Voltmeter.
It is a programmable device, that process information according to logical rules. It performs operations on binary digits. The binary information is represented in the form of electrical voltage. The discrete values such as ON, TRUE, YES are represented by binary number 1. The digital computer has tremendous impact in various fields. E.g. IBMPE, MA, Laptop.
Some important characteristics of digital computer are as follows:
Hybrid computer shows both the features of analog and digital computers. These computers are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital and analog signals. They are used in hospital, Jet plane, industry, etc. It consists of both analog and digital parts. E.g. Modem, Hybrid watch, etc.
A general-purpose computer is one that, given the appropriate application and required time, should be able to perform most common computing tasks. Personal computers, including desktops, notebooks, smartphones and tablets, are all examples of general-purpose computers. ENIAC, designed and built in the 1940s, was the first general-purpose computer.
A Specific-Purpose Computer is designed to be task specific and most of its job is to solve one particular problem. They are also known as dedicated computers, because they are dedicated to perfom a single task over and over again.
Super computers are special purposed, powerful, most expensive and fastest computer. The application of super computers in real life situation are aircraft launching, automobile designing etc.
Mainframe computers are large sized multi-user computers with fast processing, speed and high storage capacity and support thousands of users. They are mainly used in large scale multinational companies.
Minicomputers | Microcomputers |
a. They are more powerful than micro computers. | a. They are less powerful minicomputers. |
b. They are comparatively expensive. | b. They are smaller in size. |
c. They are comparatively expensive. | c. They are comparatively cheaper. |
d. They are not general purpose. Eg. IBM 1401 etc. | d. They are general purpose. Eg. Laptop, PDAs etc. |
The broad classifications of computer on the basis of work (function/activity) are:
Analog computer | Digital computer |
1.They process continuous data. | 1. They process discontinuous data |
2.They are special purpose computers | 2. They are general purpose computers. |
3.They are expensive than digital computers. | 3. They are cheaper than analog computers. |
4. They produce Analog signals. Eg. Seismograph etc. | 4. They produce digital signals. Eg. Personal computer, Laptops etc. |
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