Types of computer
On the basis of task computers can be divided into three groups. They are:
Analog Computer:
An
analog computer performs tasks by measuring physical value (i.e.
continuous flow of data) like voltage, current, temperature, pressure,
etc. The display of output is also continuous. All the operation in the
analog computers are performed in parallel. It has a very limited
memory. It can perform a limited type of calculations. It is used for
scientific research and engineering purposes. The analog computer made
for one purpose cannot be used for another purpose. For example,
Speedometer of vehicle measures the speed of the vehicle but it cannot
be used for measuring distance covered. For measuring distance covered
by vehicle, there is odometer in the vehicle. Few examples of analog
devices are: automobile speedometer , water or electricity meter, clock
with a dial and two hands, slide rule, etc. Seismograph is an analog
computer that measures the earthquake.
slide rule
Speedometer
Seismograph
Odometer
speedometer and odometer
Analog Computer
Digital Computer :
Digital
computer doesn't work on the continuous flow of data. It operates on
discrete quantities like letter, numbers, symbols and figures. Both
numeric and non-numeric information is represented as string of digits
in the computer. It uses binary numbers 0 and 1 or off/on position of an
electric switch to represent the information. All operation in the
digital computer are performed in sequential order (one step at a time).
It is used not only for scientific, research and engineering purposes
but also in industry, government, education, medicine, law, social
services and arts like musics , paintings, etc. Few examples of digital
devices are automobile manometer, digital clock, electronic calculator.
Personal Computer(PC) , super computer, mini computer or micro computer,
laptop computer, mainframe computer , palmtop computer , etc.
digital manometer
General purpose computer:
It can perform a variety of operations. For example with a micro
computer, we can play games, write letters, draw pictures or solve
arithmetical problems. But it is not very fast and efficient like
special purpose computer.
Special purpose computer:
It
can perform a particular operation. This particular operations is
permanently stored in the memory of computer. That's why it is very fast
and efficient but it is not flexible and is not able to carry out other
operations. Special purpose computer can perform only a specific task.
Hybrid Computer:
Hybrid computers are the special purpose computers. They have the
capabilities of both analog computers and digital computers. It operates
both continuous and discrete quantities to represent the information.
Hybrid computer can accept input in analog form , process data digitally
and provide output in either digital or analog form. Few examples are
Electrocardiogram (ECG) , Holter Monitoring Machine, Ultrasound Machine,
CT-Scan Machine, etc.
ultrasound
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