Learning Objectives

In this session you will learn about:

► Classification of computer system based on size, purpose and types

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Classification of Computers

► Micro

► Mini

► Mainframe

► Super
 Classification/Types of Computers
1. Based on Size and performance
• Microcomputers
PC
Laptop
PDA
Workstation
• Minicomputers
• Mainframe Computers
• Supercomputers

2. Based on purpose
• General purpose
• Special purpose

3. Based on type
• Analog
• Digital
• Hybrid

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 Classification of Computers:
1. Based on Size and Performance (VVI)

Micro computer
Increasing
Minicomputer
size
Mainframe computer
Supercomputer and power

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 i. Microcomputers
► A Microcomputer is a computer whose CPU is a microprocessor which
is located in one integrated micro chip or circuit/ single IC-Chip
► Example
► Micro computers are the smallest in size and they come in different
IBM PCs, Apple Mac, IBM PS/2, All computer
forms such as Desktop/PCs, Laptop computers, PDAs, Workstations
etc. available with Pentium Models etc.

1. Desktops
► Also known as Personal Computers
► The main components are Monitor, CPU, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers,
Modem and Printer
► This is the commonest computer seen everywhere in Schools for
learning purposes, Offices and homes
► Generally, they are single user system
► They are much slower than the larger computers, and they can not
store nearly as much information, but they are excellent when used
in small businesses, homes, and school classrooms
► These computers are inexpensive and easy to use
► This type of computers can use wide range of software
i. Microcomputers contd..
2. Workstations
► They are also desktop machine but are more powerful.
► Speed is about 10 times faster than the PCs.
► Mainly used by engineers, architects and other professionals who need detailed graphic
display.
► e.g are IBM, DEC, SUN Microsystems

3. Laptops/Notebook
► These computers are mobile computers, single user system, powered with battery also.
► Uses similar hardware as the PC use, but for display purpose, it uses flat light-weighted
LCD instead of video monitor.
i. Microcomputers contd..
4. PDA s ( Personal Digital Assistant)
► It is much more smaller than PC s and Laptop.
► Can be held in one hand
► Basically used as notepad, scheduling system and address book
► It has limited memory and are less powered
► Do not have disk drives .
► E g CASIO, Apple’s PDA
ii. Minicomputers
► A midsized computer, also called mid-range servers ► Example: PDP-11, VAX etc.
► More powerful than micro-computers
► In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and mainframes.
► It is a multiuser and multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to
about 200 users simultaneously.
► They perform same functions like the Mainframe computers both on a smaller
scale and capacity.
► The Minicomputer does not have any special environmental requirement like
the Mainframe computer so they can be located conveniently at different
offices in an organization.
► They are also much less expensive.
► Medium and small businesses typically use these computers.
► They have less memory & storage capacity than mainframe computers.
► Limited range of software can be used by them.
► The end users can directly operate it.
► They are used for data processing.
iii. Mainframe Computers
► The term mainframe is used for large and very powerful ► They have large storage capacity.
► A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or ► They can use wide variety of software.
even thousands, of users simultaneously.
► They are not user friendly.
► Mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support
► Used in banks, Indian railways reservation
more simultaneous programs.
system etc
► Mainframe computers are very expensive to purchase and maintain.
► They are usually used by large organizations like Banks, government of
countries and large business concerns.
► These are multiuser, multiprogramming and high performance computers Example: IBM S/390, IBM S/709, ICL 39, CDC 6600
capable of 1000 of uses to run the system simultaneously.
► Uses parallel processor.
► Sensitive to temperature, humidity, dust etc. so They are housed in dust
free, cool environment and other regular computer maintenance culture.
► Qualified & trained operators are required to operate them.
 iv. Super Computers Application
∙ Used to forecast the weather and global
climates
∙ Used in military research and defence
► These computers are the fastest and the most powerful systems
computers among all the digital computers
∙ In automobile, aircraft, and space craft
► Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for designing
specialized applications that require immense amounts of ∙ Used in seismography, plasma and nuclear
mathematical calculations.
research
► It is reputed to have more than fifty time speed than the ∙ Study of genetic engineering
microcomputers. ∙ Digital film recording etc.
► It is called super computer because it can solve difficult and
complex problem within a nano second. Example
► It uses parallel processor to perform complex task. C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced
Computer) of India has developed PARAM
► The speed of the supercomputers are generally measured in
FLOPS(Floating Point Operations Per Second) e.g PARAM, series of Super Computer. ANURAG is also
ANURAG developed by Indian company C-DAC (Pune) whose Indian Super Computer. Other Super
speed is 1 tera flops which is equal to 240 FLOPS Computers are CRAY XMP/14, CDC-205 etc.
Mr. Seymour Cray was a pioneer person in the
field of supercomputer production. He had
developed the first super computer Cray-1 in
1976.
 Classification of Computers:
2. Based on Purpose

1. Special purpose computers:

Special purpose computers are those computers which are designed to perform some
specific task or job. For example, computers used for weather forecasting, satellite
launching, medical diagnostics are special purpose computers.
2. General purpose computers:
General purpose computers are the computers which are designed, not to perform
only specific tasks, instead, they are designed to handle a variety of applications. For
example, computers used in schools, colleges, and offices are general purpose
computers.

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 Classification of Computers:
3. Based on Type
1. Analog computers:
► In analog computers, data is recognized as a continuous measurement of a physical property like
voltage, speed, pressure etc.
2. Digital Computers:
► These are high speed electronic devices. These devices are programmable. They process data by
way of mathematical calculations, comparison, sorting etc. They accept input and produce output
as discrete signals representing high (on) or low (off) voltage state of electricity. Numbers,
alphabets, symbols are all represented as a series of 1s and Os.
3. Hybrid Computers:
► Hybrid Computers are a combination of Analog and Digital computers. They combine the speed of
analog computers and accuracy of digital computers.
► They are mostly used in specialized applications where the input data is in an analog form i.e.
measurement.
► This is converted into digital form for further processing. The computers accept data from sensors
and produce output using conventional input/output devices.
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The Computer System

► Computer system consists of four parts:

► Hardware
► Software
► Data
► Users
Applications of Computers

► Education
► Entertainment
► Sports
► Advertising
► Medicine
► Science & Engineering
► Government
► Home
Memory Unit
► Memory unit consists of cache memory and primary memory.
► Primary memory or main memory :
► it is used to store the data and instructions during execution of
the instructions.
► RAM and ROM are the primary memory
► Secondary memory :
► Non-volatile in nature
► Used for the permanent storage of data and programs.
► A program or data that has to be executed is brought into the
RAM from the secondary memory.
Cache Memory

► Cache memory is a storage buffer that stores the data that

is used more often, temporarily.
► It makes the data available to CPU at a fast rate.
► Cache memory is high speed memory.
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM) READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)
RAM is volatile Non-volatile
Temporary storage Permanent storage
Expensive Cheap
Limited storage capacity High storage capacity
RAM stores data and instructions ROM comes programmed by the
during the execution of manufacturer.
instructions.

Types: SRAM & DRAM Types: PROM, EPROM, EEPROM

 DRAM SRAM

Dynamic RAM STATIC RAM

It is small It is used in cache memory

cheap expensive

Slow processing speed High processing speed

It consists of transistors and It uses multiple transistors

capacitors
Access speed is 50 to 150ns Access speed is 2 to 10ns

DRAM must be refresh continually SRAM does not need constant

to store information refreshing
Registers
► High speed storage devices within the CPU, but have low storage capacity.
► Registers store data, instructions, addresses, intermediate results etc.
► Some important registers are:
► PC-PROGRAM COUNTER
► MAR-MEMORY ADDRESS REGISTER
► MBR-MEMORY BUFFER REGISTER
► IR- INSTRUCTION REGISTER (CURRENT)
► ACC (ACCUMULATOR) - RESULT
► DR- Data REGISTER
Instruction Format

► A computer program is a set of instructions .

► An instruction is designed to perform a task.
► Instruction format
Operation Code Operand Code

ADD op code 1st operand address 2nd operand address

Instruction format for ADD command

► A processor has a set of instructions called as instruction set.
► Examples:
► LOAD R1,A
► ADD R1,B
► STORE R1,X

► INSTRUCTION CYCLE:
► CPU executes each instruction in a series of steps called instruction
cycle.
► It involves four steps:
► Fetching
► Decoding
► Executing
► Storing