Types of Computers

Types of Computers

          On the basis of size and computation power, the computer is categorized into four types:

1.    Super Computers

Super Computers are the fastest computers. These computers are used in research and other operations where there is huge numerical calculation.

2.    Mainframe Computers

Mainframe Computers have many terminals. So they are used in big business organization where there are many departments and people.

3.    Mini Computers

Mini Computers are smaller than Mainframes but bigger than personal computers. They are useful for moderate organizations.

4.    Micro Computers

Micro Computers are also known as personal computers (PC). They are used for personal and office purposes.

          There are four basic functions performed by Computers:

a)   Input                   : - It is performed by Input devices such as Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone etc.

b)   Processing : - Central Processing Unit (CPU).

c)    Output       : - It is done by output devices such as Monitor, Printer, Speaker etc.

d)   Storage      : - It is performed by storage devices such as RAM, Hard Disks, Optical Disks etc.

Advantages and Application of Computer

Advantages and Application of Computer

Advantages of Computer

          Computers have several advantages. Some of them are listed as follows.

1.    Computers can perform complex operation in a short time.

2.    Computers can process large volumes of data.

3.    Computers are reliable i.e. they can work continuously for long time.

4.    Computers are accurate i.e. computers do not make mistakes.

5.    Computers are versatile i.e. a single computer can do a variety of jobs such as playing music, displaying movies, internet connection etc.

Application of Computer

          Nowadays, computers are used in every area. All the technological advancement that we see today is due to the computer. The common application areas of computers are:

1.    Education

2.    Business

3.    Medicine and Healthcare

4.    Space Technology

5.    Home

6.    Recording Studio

Defination of Computer

A computer is a device that accepts information and manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed. Complex computers also include the means for storing data for some necessary duration. A program may be invariable and built into the computer and called logic circuitry as it is on microprocessors or different programs may be provided to the computer . Today's computers have both kinds of programming.

Technically, a computer is a programmable machine. This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given. Today, however, the term is most often used to refer to the desktop and laptop computers that most people use. When referring to a desktop model, the term "computer" technically only refers to the computer itself -- not the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Still, it is acceptable to refer to everything together as the computer. If you want to be really technical, the box that holds the computer is called the "system unit."

          

Most histories of the modern computer begin with the Analytical Engine envisioned by Charles Babbage following the mathematical ideas of George Boole, the mathematician who first stated the principles of logic inherent in today's digital computer. Babbage's assistant and collaborator, Ada Lovelace, is said to have introduced the ideas of program loops and subroutines and is sometimes considered the first programmer. Apart from mechanical calculators, the first really useable computers began with the vacuum tube, accelerated with the invention of the transistor, which then became embedded in large numbers in integrated circuits, ultimately making possible the relatively low-cost personal computer.

 Modern computers inherently follow the ideas of the stored program laid out by John von Neumann in 1945. Essentially, the program is read by the computer one instruction at a time, an operation is performed, and the computer then reads in the next instruction, and so on. Recently, computers and programs have been devised that allow multiple programs to work on the same problem at the same time in parallel. With the advent of the Internet and higher bandwidth data transmission, programs and data that are part of the same overall project can be distributed over a network and embody the Sun Microsystems slogan: "The network is the computer."

          At last, A Computer is an electronic device that reads and processes data to form information. Computers help us to solve our problems.