Rajmani Kumar,

Lecturer, Dept. of BCA

S.U.College, Hilsa (Nalanda)
Patliputra University, Patna

BCA-1st Year Paper-I

Type of computers
According to purpose, computers are either general purpose or specific
purpose. General purpose computers are designed to perform a range of
tasks. They have the ability to store numerous programs, but lack in speed and
efficiency. Specific purpose computers are designed to handle a specific problem
or to perform a specific task. A set of instructions is built into the machine.
According to data handling, computers are analog, digital or hybrid. Analog
computers work on the principle of measuring, in which the measurements
obtained are translated into data. Modern analog computers usually employ
electrical parameters, such as voltages, resistances or currents, to represent the
quantities being manipulated. Such computers do not deal directly with the
numbers. They measure continuous physical magnitudes. Digital computers are
those that operate with information, numerical or otherwise, represented in a digital
form. Such computers process data into a digital value (in 0s and 1s). They give the
results with more accuracy and at a faster rate. Hybrid computers incorporate the
measuring feature of an analog computer and counting feature of a digital
computer. For computational purposes, these computers use analog components
and for storage, digital memories are used.
According to functionality, Type of computers are classified as :
Digital Computer
A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with
quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system.
Analog Computer
An analog computer (spelt analogue in British English) is a form of computer that
uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic
quantities to model the problem being solved.
Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital)
A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and outputting in
both digital and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost
effective method of performing complex simulations.
General purpose Computers
PC (Personal Computer)
A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed
for an individual user. PCs are based on the microprocessor technology that
enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. Businesses use personal
computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running
spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use
for personal computers is playing games and surfing the Internet.

Although personal computers are designed as single-user systems, these systems

are normally linked together to form a network. In terms of power, now-a-days
high-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same computing power and
graphics capability as low-end workstations by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-
Packard, and Dell.

Turnkey Systems
A computer system that has been customized for a particular application.
The term derives from the idea that the end user can just turn a key and
the system is ready to go. Turnkey systems include all
the hardware and software necessary for the particular application. They are
usually developed by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) who buy
a computer from another company and then add software and devices themselves.
On the basis of Size: Type of Computer
Micro-computer or Personal Computer

The micro-computer widely used & fastest growing computer. These

computers are the cheapest among the other three types of computers. The micro
computers are specially designed for general usages like entertainment, education
and work purposes. Well known manufacturers of micro-computer are Dell, Apple,
Samsung, Sony, Toshiba.
• Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a
desk.
• Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated screen and
keyboard. It is generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than a
notebook computer.
• Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer.
Palmtops have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output
device.
Super Computer
The fastest and most powerful type of computer Supercomputers are very
expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense
amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires
a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid
dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.
 The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a
supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as
possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs
concurrently.
Mainframe Computer
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or
even thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a
simple microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to
supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some
ways, mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support
more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program
faster than a mainframe.

Mini Computer
A midsize computer In size and power, minicomputers lie
between workstations and mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between
large minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the
distinction between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a
minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to about
200 users simultaneously.
Workstations
Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM),
desktop publishing, software development, and other such types of applications
which require a moderate amount of computing power and relatively high quality
graphics capabilities. Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution
graphics screen, large amount of RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical
user interface. Most workstations also have mass storage device such as a disk
drive, but a special type of workstation, called diskless workstation, comes without
a disk drive.

Common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows NT.
Like PC, workstations are also single-user computers like PC but are typically
linked together to form a local-area network, although they can also be used as
stand-alone systems.