Lesson 3: Classification of Computer

General Purpose Computers

It can handle a variety of tasks. They are not just limited to one task.

Dedicated or Special Purpose Computers-

computers that are limited to only one task. They are more efficient because of specialized programs.

General Purpose Computers

They are versatile. Examples are PC, cellular phones, and others.

Dedicated or Special Purpose Computers

Dedicated or Special Purpose Computers

Analog Computers

machines that represent variables or storage using physical analogies. They are manipulate physical type of data.

Digital Computers

machines that specialized in counting. They use discrete numbers.

Hybrid Computers

these are machines that incorporate measuring capabilities of the analog devices and the counting capability of the digital devices.

Analog Computers

Examples are clock, thermometer, speedometer, and others.

Digital Computers

Examples are digital clock, digital thermometer, calculator,

and others.

Hybrid Computers

Examples are ana-digi watches, space vehicle simulation, and

others.

Microcomputers

computer that is used in homes and offices.

Microcomputers

It is the smallest in size and capacity. This uses at least 32mb-256mb of main memory.

32-256

Microcomputer uses at least ______MB of main memory.

Minicomputers

also known as the midrange computer.

Midrange Computers

Minicomputers are also known as _______.

Minicomputers

Commonly used in companies needing greater space for storage and processing.

Minicomputers

Examples are network servers, web servers

Mainframe computers

also known as large scale computer.

Large Scale Computer

Mainframe Computers are also known as _______.

Mainframe Computers

Can process millions to billions of characters per second.

Mainframe Computers

Commonly used in business and government offices to provide centralized storage processing management of data of large amounts.

Mainframe Computers

Uses at least 50mb.

50

Mainframe Computers use atleast ____ MB

Mainframe Computers

Examples are enterprise systems, super server, transaction processors.

Supercomputers

fastest and biggest computer.

Supercomputers

Used to compute intensive tasks and designed for large-scale complex scientific applications.

Supercomputers

Can process from billions to trillions of characters/sec. need at least 8000 mb of main memory.

8000

Supercomputers need atleast _____ MB.

Supercomputers

Examples are scalable servers, cray computer, IBM deep blue supercomputer.

According to Purpose

• General Purpose Computer

• Dedicated or Special Purpose Computer

According to Types of Data Handled

• Analog Computer

• Digital Computer

• Hybrid Computer

According to Size or Capacity

• Microcomputers

• Minicomputer

• Supercomputers

• Mainframe Computer

Data Processing

It refers to the transforming raw data into meaningful output.

Data

can be done manually using a pen and paper, mechanically using simple devices like typewriter or electronically using modern data processing tools like computers.

Manually, Mechanically

Data can be processed ______ and ________

Input, Process, Output

It is the linear data process. It is also the stages of data processing cycle.

Input, processing, output and storage

They are all connected functions

Data

It goes through these processes and convert into information

Data Processing

It begins with the input stage and ends at the output stage

Input

The collected data is converted into machine-readable form by an input device, and send into the machine

Input

Data does not contain any information

Input

It is fed into the data processing system to be converted into meaningful information

Processing

It is the transformation of the input data to a more meaningful form (information) in the CPU

Processing

Computer follows instructions called programs to process data

Programs

These include operating systems, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and others

Output

It is the production of the required information, which may be input in the future

Output

Processed data

Output

Presented through output devices

Output

After users viewed it, they understand it and make decision on the basis of their understanding

Output

This is called decoding.

Storage

Information is stored to be used later

Storage

Hard drives and pen drives are used to store information

Input

It consists of: Data Collection, Data Capture, Encoding, Data Transmission, Data Communications

Process

It consists of: Performing Instructions, Transform raw data into information

Output

It consits of decoding, presenting data to user

Storage

It consists of: storing data and retrieving data

Data Processing Methods (MMED)

1. Manual

2. Mechanical

3. Electronic

4. Distributed

Manual Data Processing

data is processed manually without using any machine or tool to get

required results.

Manual Data Processing

all the calculations and logical operations are performed

manually on the data.

Manual Data Processing

Similarly, data is transferred manually from one place to another.

Manual Data Processing

This method of data processing is very slow and errors may occur in the output.

Mechanical Data Processing

data is processed by using different devices like typewriters,

mechanical printers or other mechanical devices.

Mechanical Data Processing

This method of data processing is faster and more

accurate than manual data processing.

Mechanical Data Processing

These are faster than the manual mode but still forms the

early stages of data processing.

Mechanical Data Processing

With invention and evolution of more complex machines with better

computing power this type of processing also started fading away.

Mechanical Data Processing

Examination boards and printing press use this processing devices frequently.

Electronic Data Processing (EDP)

is the modern technique to process data.

Electronic Data Processing (EDP)

The data is processed through computer.

Electronic Data Processing (EDP)

Data and set of instructions are given to the computer as input and the computer automatically processes the data according to the given set of instructions.

Electronic Data Processing (EDP)

The computer is also known as electronic data processing machine.

Batch, Online, Real-time

It is the three types of electronic data processing.

Batch Processing

a method where the information to be organized is sorted into groups to allow for efficient and sequential processing

Online Processing

a method that utilizes Internet connections and equipment directly attached to a computer.

Online Processing

This allows for the data stored in one place and being used at altogether different place.

Online Processing

Cloud computing can be considered as an example which uses this type of processing.

Online Processing.

It is used mainly for information recording and research.

Real-Time Processing

This technique has the ability to respond almost immediately to various signals in order to acquire and process information.

Real-Time Processing

These involve high maintenance and upfront cost attributed to very advanced technology and computing power.

Real-Time Processing

Time saved is maximum in this case as the output is seen in real time.

Real-Time Processing

Examples of this are:

● Airline reservation systems

● Theatre (cinema) booking

● Hotel reservations

● Banking systems

● Police enquiry systems

● Chemical processing plants

● Hospitals to monitor the progress of a patient

● Missile control systems

Distributed Processing

This method is commonly utilized by remote workstations connected to one big central workstation or server.

Distributed Processing

ATMs are good examples of this data processing method.

Distributed Processing

All the end machines run on a fixed software located at a particular place and makes use of exactly same information and sets of instruction