CLASSIFICATION OF

COMPUTERS

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 Classification of Computer

• According to function.
• According to purpose.
• According to size and capacity.
 ACCORDING TO FUNCTION

• Analog computer

• Digital computer

• Hybrid Computer

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 Analog computer

• Analog Computers are that in which data varies

continuously i.e. the movement of data is continuous.
• Represented By: series of waves
• Used For
– Measuring temperature, pressure, etc
– Communication
– Broadcast transmission
• Example
– Automobile Speedometer, Voltmeter, etc.

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 Digital computer

• Digital Computers are those computers in which data flows

in discrete form.
• Represented By: pulses, two series i.e. 0s & 1s
• Used For
– Mathematical calculations
– Compare values
– Storing the result
• Example
– Digital watch, Digital computers

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 Hybrid Computer

• Hybrid Computers are combination of both analog

computer and digital computer
• Represented By: both continuous and discrete form of
data
• Example
– Measuring heart beat or ECG system in ICU in a
hospital
– STD/PCO phone, where one communicate with a
person using analog computer & the rate as charges
and pulse rate is measured in forms of digit.

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 ON THE BASIS OF PURPOSE

• In Digital Computer, classification can be done on the

basis of purpose

– GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTER

– SPECIAL PURPOSE COMPUTER

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 General Purpose Computer

• General Purpose Computer: These are designed to perform

the variety of jobs or applications for this reason; they are
less efficient than special purpose computers.

• Example

– PCs, Desktop Computers.

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 Special Purpose Computer

• Special Purpose Computer: These are designed to meet the

needs of some special application. They are designed to
perform a single job. So they execute a task quickly and
more efficiently. Program and instructions are stored
permanently in them.

• Example

– ATM, Designing Computers, etc.

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 According To Sizes And Capacity

• Super Computer
• Mainframe Computer
• Mini Computer
• Micro Computer
• Desktop Computer
• Pocket Computer

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 Super Computer

• This special purpose computers handle mostly complex

scientific, statistical applications or programs.
• Key Features
– High technology
– High capacity memory i.e. 8.4 million
– Computes data processing in short time
– Highly sophisticated technology
– Cost varies from 1 million to 5 million

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 Super Computer

• Drawback
– Operating Supercomputer requires highly qualified staff.
– Experts were required for such computer engineering.
– They are sensitive to temperature, humidity, dust, etc.
– Non portability & large size
• Example
– India’s first super computer is PARAM
– CRAY,

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 Mainframe Computers
• KEY FEATURES
– Smaller size than super computer
– Large memory capacity
– Allows networking of up to 100 terminals
– Cost varies from 5-20 lacs.
• Disadvantages
– Experts and highly qualified professionals were required to
operate it
– Sophisticated technology required for manufacturing &
assembling the computer
• Example
– PDP-370, IBM 40
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 Mini Computer
• Key Features
– Higher processing speed than lowest category computer
but slower than super computer & Mainframe computer
– Portable computers because of smaller size
– Costs around Rs 50 thousand to 90 thousand
• Disadvantages
– Cannot connect all hardware devices
– Cannot execute all languages and software
• Example
– PDP-11 and PDP-45

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 Micro Computer
• KEY FEATURES
– Smaller than Mini Computer
– High speed computer but slower than mini computer
– Costs around Rs 30000 to 60000
– Portable
– Limited languages can be executed.
• Drawbacks
– Limited Hardware devices can be connected
– Experts were required
• Example
– HCL, PCL, Wipro, PCs, HP

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 Desktop Computers
• Purpose: Education system and small scale industry
• Called: Home, Personal or Briefcase Computers
• Key Features
– Portable
– High speed processing processor
– Internet facility for communication
– Costs around Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000
• Disadvantages
– Execute limited software and languages related to windows
• Example
– HCL, PCL, Wipro, COMPAQ, HP, LEO, SAMSUNG, etc

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 Pocket Computer

• KEY FEATURES
– Small in size
– Portable like a digital diary
– Requires RAM maximum up to 1GB
– Disk capacity is 80 GB
• Disadvantage
– Execute limited Software

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 Classification

Digital Analogue Hybrid

Super
General Purpose
Mainframe
Special Purpose
Mini

Micro

Desktop

Pocket
 Generation of Computers

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 Generation of Computers

Based on the characteristics of various computers

developed from time to time, they are categorized as
generation of computers.

Generation
of
Computers

First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation

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 First Generation Computers

Time Period : 1951 to 1959

Technology : Vacuum Tubes
Size : Very Large System
Processing : Very Slow

Characterized By:-
• Magnetic Drums
• Magnetic Tapes
• Difficult to program
• Used machine
language & assembly
language

First Generation Computers

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 Second Generation Computers

Time Period : 1959 to 1963

Technology : Transistors
Size : Smaller
Processing : Faster

Characterized By:-
• Magnetic Disk
• Used high level language
• Easier to program

Second Generation Computers

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 Third Generation Computers

Time Period : 1963 to 1975

Technology : ICs (Integrated Circuits)
Incorporated many transistors & electronic
circuits on a single chip
Size : Small as compared to 2nd generation computers
Processing : Faster then 2nd generation computers

Characterized by:-
• Minicomputers accessible by
multiple users from remote
terminals.

IC (Integrated Circuit)
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 Fourth Generation Computers

Time Period : 1975 to Today

Technology : VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)
Incorporated many millions of transistors &
electronic circuits on a single chip
Size : Small as compared to first generation computer
Processing : Faster then first generation computer

Characterized by:
The personal computer and user
friendly micro-programs, very fast
processor chip high level language,
OOP (Object Oriented Programming)

VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)

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 Fifth Generation Computers

Time Period : Future Technology

Technology : AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Fifth Generation Computer
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 Next Generation Optical Disk
The following formats go beyond the current third-generation discs
and have the potential to hold more than one terabyte (1TB) of data:

• Holographic Versatile Disc (3.9TB=850 DVDs)

• LS-R (Layer-Selection-Type Recordable Optical Disk)
• Protein-coated disc

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 Holographic Versatile Disc

• The Holographic Versatile Disc

(HVD) is an optical disc
technology still in the research
stage which would hold up to 3.9
terabytes (TB) of information
which is equivalent to around
850 DVDs.
• It was introduced in 2004.

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 Future of Touch Screen

“The future of touch screen seems

bright. A company named synaptics
is developing a touch screen called
'Clear Pad'. It is a thin, high
resolution capacitive touch screen
that can be placed on top of any
display where a finger-touch is
required. If this technology is mass-
accepted then the need of
mechanical keys will be eliminated.”

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