COMPUTER TYPES & CLASSIFICATIONS

The computer, which can process the received data to the data input of the data is the result of an electronic device and the data processed in accordance with the instruction data.

ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER

 The use of computer is was not so common several years ago as it is today.

The main benefits / importance of computer in daily life are as follows.

1. SPEED : - Computer work at a very high speed and are much faster than humans. A computer can perform billions of calculations a second. A process is called the speed of the processing performed by a computer.
   
   
2. STORAGE :- A computer can store large amount of data permanently user can use / access this data which is stored in a computer any time.
   
   
3. PROCESSING :- A computer can process the given instruction. It can perform different type of processing like addition, subtraction, division & multiplication with in second.
   
   
4. ACCURACY :- Accuracy means to provide result without any error. Which data is processed by computer it 100% accurate,  there is no chance of error in process of computer. The computer can process large amounts of data and get accurate results.
   
   
5. COMMUNICATION :- Most computer today have the capability of communicating with other computer. We can connect two or more computers using a communication device such as a modem, NIC card.
   
   
6. VERSATILE :- Computers can perform a variety of tasks. We can use computers in offices, hospitals, banks or at home.
   
   
7. COST REDUCTION :- Another advantage of computer is cost reduction. We can perform a difficult task in less time and less cost, for example we have hired many people to handle an office. The same work can be performing by a single computer.

GENERATION OF COMPUTER

Although the development of Computer is continuous process, however, it can be categorized in to the following generations based on the technology used for the Computer System.

FIRST GENERATION (1942 - 1955) :- All computers developed in this generation were based on Vacuum Tubes technology, i.e. ENIC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), Mark-I, Mark-II etc.

ADVANTAGES :-

• Vacuum tube technology made possible to make electronic digital computers.
• These computers could calculate data in millisecond.

DISADVANTAGES :-

• These were very large.
• consumed a large amount of energy.
• Very slow.
• Expensive.
• Use machine language only.
• Heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum tube.

 SECOND GENERATION (1955 - 1964)
Computers of this generation were based on transistor technology (space on the side of the vacuum tube transistor) and they opened the gateway to commercial development for the sale of computers. Size fast transistor operations were smaller and less expensive than vacuum tubes. e.g. EDVAC, IBM-1401.
ADVANTAGES

• Smaller in size as compared to first generation computers..
• Less energy used.
• Produce less heat. 
• Less costly.
• Speed of these computers were high.
• Use of assembly language instead of machine language.

THIRD GENERATION (1964 - 1975)
The Computer of the third generation were based on integrated circuits (ICs) technology (transistor replaced by ICs). Solid electronic technology in early 1960 - was introduced in the state. The development of integrated circuits (ICs) is called solid state technology or small scale integration (SSI). The integrated circuits (ICs) are the collection of many electronic devices like transistors on a signal chip of silicon. This Technology enabled computers to the electronic revolution. IBM-360, IBM-370 etc.
ADVANTAGES

• Small in size compared to previous generation.
• Less energy used.
• Produce less heat in compare of previous generation..
• More good speed, calculate data in Nano seconds. 
• Less expensive.
• Could be use high level language.

DISADVANTAGES

• Air conditions was required.
• High technology required for the manufacture of IC Chips.

FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTER (1975-Present)
They used microprocessors in fourth generation computers. A small microprocessor chip contains thousands of the ICC. It greatly reduces the size of the computer. It was introduced in the generation microprocessor, which microcomputers were. i.e. IBM - PC etc.

ADVANTAGES

• Very small in size.
• Less power consumption.
• Less heat generated.
•  Best speed.
• General purpose.
• Commercial production.

DISADVANTAGE

• High advance technology required manufacturing microprocessor.

 FIFTH GENERATION (A1)(1980 - 1990)
The rapid progress in computer technology is still continued and active research is going on in different fields of computer technology by there is no well-defined categorization after fourth generation. The reason may be that are now taking place in a variety of previous developments, competition in computer hardware and software sectors, which took place in most areas of electronics development. The computers of this generation were based on the principles of life and the A1. Software development was taking precedence over hardware, which led to the introduction of artificial intelligence. E.g. Robotics, Computer Vision etc.

SIXTH GENERATION (ANN'S) (SINCE 1990)
This generation of computer artificial neural network system based on the principles of (ANNS). As a result, it seems the computer and can decide to solve various problems. e.g. Character recognition etc.

TYPES OF COMPUTER (Categories of Computer)
Analog Computers
It has information about the machines process, the nature of which is not discrete or separate. An Analog computer is used for measurement. The speed of Analog is fast by not so accurate. Analog Computer measure Temperature, Pressure, Current Voltage and Depth etc. This quantity continues in nature and there are millions of types. Or In other words we can say that is represented in the form of computers, information automobile speed meters, current, etc. Analog Watch.

Digital Computers
A digital works with digits. Everything is described in two states i.e. either ON or OFF. No. 1 and 0 of the OFF state.

The digital computers are very fast. They can be programmed to perform mathematical calculation. Compare value etc.
All operations take place at a very high speed computers and very accurate and precise results. Such as Digital computer, Calculators, Digital watch etc.

Difference Between Analog & Digital Computer
Analog Computers measure while Digital Computers count. Analog computers and digital computer as well as fast, more accurate, if not quickly but accurately.
Hybrid Computers
Hybrid Computer is also known as Mash Computer, it is a combination Analog and Digital Computer. Part of the processing is done on the part of analog computers and digital computers.
These Computers are used in some specialized applications. Hybrid computer devices may calculate patient's heart function, temperature, and blood pressure. Measurement data can be converted and displayed in digital form e.g. Hybrid Watches, digital petrol pumps etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
Classification of Computer with respect to size.

• Micro Computer.
• Mini Computer.
• Mainframe Computer.
• Super Computer.

Mainframe Computers

These are the most expensive, largest and fastest computers used in a large organization. Main Frame interacts with large amounts of data and services to support various input and output devices. The mainframe is priced at Rs 1 million and can serve a maximum of 150 users or more at a time.

 

Mini Computers

These computers are larger in size than both PCs and these computers have the capabilities to serve many users at a time in other facilities such as speed, storage capacity etc. They are more expensive than PCs. Their speeds are rated 1 to 50 MIPS or higher, such as Wax / 11730, IBM / 8310, etc.

 

Micro Computers

These are also called Personal Computers (PCs). These are the most popular digital computers are used in all areas of life. They are small in memory and have low processing capacity. They also called chip computer, because the whole Circuitry clock on the same chip. Microcomputers are the equivalent of today's mainframe. Such as IBM-PC, XT, AT Compatibles 286, 386, 486, 586, P-I, P-II, P-III, P-IV etc.

Super Computers

Supercomputer is called the "Number Cruncher" because they are a special computer to deal with. It can process trillions of instructions in a second. The modern super computer consists of thousands of microprocessor. These computers are very much expensive. Two families of commercially available Super Computers are the GRAY - XP, ETA - 10, Deep Blue and Aci White.

Use of Super Computer

Super computer is mostly used for weather prediction, weapon design, preparing model of chemical and biological system, and studying the neural network of brain. These are used in a nuclear reactor.

Supercomputer is used in business and industry sectors

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER W.R.T. PURPOSE 

We can do the following two types of distributed computers.

1.     General Purpose Computers.

2.     Special Purpose Computers.

General Purpose Computers

Computers such business, a wide variety of problems in many areas such as education, science, etc. are used to solve. General - Purpose computers can store large amount of data and that is why most business enterprises use them. These Computers are used for multipurpose. For example, Micro Computer.

 

Special Purpose Computers

These types of computers support highly specialized data processing activity. These computers are used to solve problems in certain categories. That is. These computers are used to perform a particular task. e.g. Computer used in the Atomic Energy Commission, Computer used for eye sight, wheel alignment etc.

INTRODUCTION

When computer & telecommunication is combined, it is called Information Technology. Spread information from one place to another, information technology computing technology that uses high-speed communication links. Sending computer interconnection and enables people to receive information. The communication links is used to connect each other in the world.

 Computer is an important component of Information Technology. Information technology is used to solve problems computer.

 The world has become a global village due to advancement in Information Technology. Information technology is the technology that uses computing with high speed communication to spread information from one place to another. We can transfer the information from place to place and person to person. It means a network of computers for creating WEB Pages, producing videos digitally, selling, buying and any type of business on the Internet, for example telephone and radio equipment and switches used for voice communication. 

COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Information technology components are as follows:-

• COMPUTER: - 

Electronic system that can be instructed to accept, process, store and information.

• COMMUNICATION NETWORK: - 

It is an interconnection of different location through a medium that enable people to send and receive information easily and quickly.

• PEOPLE: -

People are required for the operation of all Information Technology system. These include programmers and all others who know the use of information technology.

• SOFTWARE: -  

All programs which are used for solving problems and to communicate with computer, i.e. Operating System, Spread Sheet, Word Processing, Telecommunication Management Programs etc.

• DATA IS RAW MATERIAL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:-

Data can take many forms including numeric, alphanumeric, alphabetical, audio and video etc.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DATA & INFORMATION

1.     DATA :- 

Data is a plural form of Latin word "Datum". The collection of fact and figure is called data OR anything in raw form. Any one can’t decision through data.
Example: When student fill college form the form consists of raw facts about student. These raw facts are student name, father's name, marks obtain etc.

2.     INFORMATION:-

To organize the Data in meaningful form upon which people can take necessary decision is called Information. e.g. 12,11,50,45 when sorted it become 11,12,45,50 which is Information. Information is the meaningful, processed data, which is relevant and accurate and thereby can be used in Decision - Making. Example vouchers are merit lists; Merit list information. 

Remember that the computer is one of the data processing systems that convert raw data in to useful information. Therefore we show it graphical as

DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN DATA AND INFORMATION

DATA:-

1.     Data is a set of raw facts.

2.     Data is used as input in the computer.

3.     Data is not meaningful.

4.     Data is asset of organization and is not available to people for sale.

5.     Data is an independent entity.

6.     Data is not used in decision making.

7.     Data is use rarely.

INFORMATION:-

1.     Information is processed form of data.

2.     Information is the output of computer.

3.     Information is meaningful.

4.     Information is normally available for sale.

5.     Information is depend on data.

6.     Information is very important for decision - making.

7.     Information is used frequently.

TYPES OF DATA

There are different types of data.

1.     Alphabetic Data Type:

It consist letter from A - Z capital form or a - z small letter. e.g. Abid, Peshawar, Pakistan, Khan etc.

2.     Numeric Data Type:

It consist of digit form 0 - 9 e.g. 123, 567, 256 etc.

3.     Alphanumeric Data Type:

It consist on Alphabetic letters as well as numeric digits. e.g. Street No. A/10, F16, B52 etc.

4.     Graphic Data Type:

It consist tables, charts, graphics and statements.

5.     Audio Data Type:

In consists only sounds. For example radio news.

6.     Video Data Type:

It consists photos, image and moving picture. Such as TV News.

7.     Mixed Data Type:

Mixed data type more than one type of data. Such as the merging of audio and video.

 DATA PROCESSING LIFE CYCLE

Data Processing life cycle is a collection of steps required to convert data into information. Process of data processing life cycle are as follows.

• IN-PUT:

In this step, data is collected and given to the computer for processing.

• PROCESS:

In this step, computer processes data to generate information.

• OUT-PUT:

In this step, the information is given to the user as output.

• STORAGE:

In this step, the information is stored in the computer for future use. This step is optional.

CLASSIFICATION OF DATA PROCESSING 

There are two types of data processing:-

MANUAL / CONVENTIONAL DATA PROCESSING:

Convention is the manual method to convert the information to the data processing / traditional data processing system data. Man himself collects data, classifies and arranges data, performs manual calculations and therefore produces the result put out of need. It is very simple and in expensive. Up to the last century almost all data processing was done manually. Official person used paper, pen and pencil to maintain records. Such data often had to be due to clerical errors due to processing and therefore misrepresent the company's records, to record their transactions Miss. Information was often received too late to serve the organization purpose.

ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING (COMPUTER BASED DATA PROCESSING):

An Information System that uses Computer and their hardware and software is called Electronic Data Processing or Computer-Based Data Processing or Computer Based Information System. Electronic data processing or computer based information systems, computer hardware and software, Internet and other telecommunication systems, uses the network; Computer-based data resource management techniques and many other information technologies to turn data resources into information products for consumers and business professionals.

Electronic computers electronic rather than mechanical manipulation and complete all the data to update the file. It increased production data processing and less cost.  Speed, accuracy and reliability of computers are higher than traditional data processing.

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

The system that process data and produce information is called Data Processing System or Information Processing System. The below diagrammatic representation of DPS (Data Processing System). There are mainly two of Data Processing Systems, which were, discussed in previous topics.

ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING

Electronic Data Processing is reshaping the basics of business. It has changed the way of life. The use of computers has affected every aspect of life. The strategic marketing and distribution depending on a customer service, operations, products and electronic data processing (E.D.P.). Electronic data processing systems play three important roles in any type of organization.

Ø Support of business operation.

Ø Support of managerial decision making.

Ø Support of strategic competitive advantage.

In today business and every field of life Electronic Data Processing  (E.D.P.) is important component. Through Electronic Data Processing it is possible to become a global enterprise. Electronic data processing organization by changing business processes used for reconstruction work. Electronic data processing is used to simplify complex processes. Receiving recording, processing and retrieval of record in second. It is possible to access the desired record in second. Electronic Data Processing (E.D.P.) permits the organization to create, develop, and maintain database. Using Electronic Data Processing (E.D.P.) to send, receive email and faxes. Access to internet and remote computer is possible through it. The speed of the process of EDP and processing of transactions is very high. Electronic Data Processing (E.D.P.) process the transaction with high accuracy.