Types of Computer

Q 5: Write in detail the different types of a computer.

The Types of computer
Computers are divided into three types according to their structure, speed and architecture.
Analog Computers
Digital Computers
Hybrid Computers

Analog computers:
“The computers which provide us continuous information are called analog computers.”
Analog computers represent physical quantities in the form of waves or in continuous form.

Examples:
Thermometer is the example of analog computers because it measures the length of a mercury column continuously.
A traditional clock is the example of analog computers because the needle of clock covers the distance of dial continuously.Weight machine and Speedo meter are other examples of analog computers.

The above diagram shows that an analog system is working continuously as the wave is moving continuously in the above diagram.

Characteristics of the analog computers:
1. These computers have no state
The Speed of analog computer is fast
These computers are not reliable
These computers became the base for digital computers
These computers are difficult to operate and use
These computers are easy to develop
These computers have small memory

Digital Computers:
“The computers which present physical quantities with the help of symbols or numbers and provide us discrete information are called digital computers.”

Examples:
Digital watch, digital petrol stations and the computer, which we use nowadays, are the examples of digital computers

Characteristics of the digital computers:
Digital computers have two states On (0) and Off (1).
These computers are easy to use.
Human being like to use digital computers.
These computers are reliable.
Digital computers have big memory.
Working speed of digital computers is slower as compared to analog computers.
These computers are further divided into different categories such as personal computers, Mainframe computers and super computers.

Hybrid Computers:
“The computers which have qualities of both digital and analog computers are called hybrid computers.”
Hybrid computer has the speed of analog and the accuracy of digital computer.
Example:
In ICU (Intensive care unit) of a hospital hybrid computers are used. These computers analog quality controls the temperature of the room digital quality informs the doctor about the blood pressure, temperature and physical status of the patient.
In Cement factory a hybrid computer is used where all calculations are performed by the digital computers; and actions like increase of material are performed by the analog computers.

Characteristics of the Hybrid computers:
These computers are reliable and provide accurate result.
These computers are fast and speedy.

Personal Computers/Desktop computers:
These are small size computers and are used by a single user. Desktop computers are also called Personal computers or PC. We can use these computers easily in offices, colleges, schools, universities, homes, and factories.

Characteristics of Desktop computers:
These computers have fast speed and accuracy
Small in size
Easy to operate
These computers are easy to move
These computers are cheaper
We can use desktop computers as a single user and multi-user environment

Laptop Computers/Notebook:
Lap top computers are another category of personal computers. These computers are small in size and light packed in. These computers are moveable because they work on batteries and can operate without an external power source. Laptop computers are also called Notebook computers because the size of these computers is about one- inch notebook and weight is from four to eight pounds.


Q 6: Differentiate Digital and Analog computers.

Difference between digital and analog computers:


Difference Analog Computers

Definition These computers provide us continuous information.
Representation of quantities These computers represent physical quantities in the form of waves or in continuous form.
State These computers have no state.
Use These computers are difficult to use.
Reliability These are not reliable computers
Development These computers are difficult to develop.
Memory These computers have small memory.
Base These computers became the base for digital computers.
Speed These computers have slow speed.
Example Thermometer, weight machine, Speedo meter

Digital Computer



Difference Digital Computers
Definition These computers provide us discrete information.
Representation of quantities
These computers represent physical quantities with the help of symbols or numbers.
State
These computers have two states On (0) and off (1).
Use
These computers are easy to use.
Reliability
These are reliable computers.
Development
These computers are easy to develop.
Memory
These computers have big memory.
Base

These computers were developed on the base of analog computers.
Speed

These computers have fast speed.
Example
Digital watch, digital petrol stations, computers.