Classification of Computers

Supercomputers
Supercomputers are the most powerful and expensive computers made it. These computers are a national resources. The biggest and fastest machines today are the supercomputers that are used when billions or even trillions of calculations are needed. These machines are essential for applications ranging from nuclear weapon to accurate weather forecasting. Supercomputers are widely used in scientific applications such as aerodynamic design simulation, processing of geological data. Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are relatively rare. Indias first supercomputer is PARAM.

Mainframe Computers
Mainframe Computers are usually slower, less powerful and less expensive than supercomputers. A technique that allows many people at terminals, to access the same computer at one time is called time sharing. Mainframes are used by banks and many businesses to update inventory etc. Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of users, handling massive amounts of input, output, and storage. Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, handling transactions over the Internet. Mainframe computers usually have many terminals connected to them. These terminals look like small computers but they are only devices used to send and receive information from the actual computer using wires. Terminals can be located in the same room with the mainframe computer, but they can also be in different rooms, buildings, or cities. Large businesses, government agencies, and universities usually use this type of computer. Example: PDP-370, IBM-40

Minicomputers
Minicomputers are much smaller than mainframe computers and they are also much less expensive. They possess most of the features found on mainframe computers, but on a more limited scale. They can still have many terminals, but not as many as the mainframes. They can store a tremendous amount of information, but again usually not as much as the mainframe. Medium and small businesses typically use these computers. Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals. Minicomputers may be used as network servers and Internet servers. Example:PDP-11, PDP-45 Workstations :

Workstations are powerful single-user computers. Workstations are used for tasks that require a great deal of number-crunching power, such as product design and computer animation.Workstations are often used as network and Internet servers.

Microcomputers or Personal Computers: Microcomputers is the smallest, least expensive of all the computers. Micro computers have smallest memory and less power, are physically smaller and permit fewer peripherals to be attached. Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers.

General-Purpose Computer Refers to computers that follow instructions, thus virtually all computers from micro to mainframe are general purpose. Even computers in toys, games and single-function devices follow instructions in their built-in program. A computer designed to perform, or that is capable of performing, in a reasonably efficient manner, the functions required by both scientific and business applications. Note: A general purpose computer is often understood to be a large system, capable of supporting remote terminal operations, but it may also be a smaller computer, e.g., a desktop workstation. Special-Purpose Computer Special purpose computers are designed to solve a specific problems; the computer programme for solving the problem is built right into the computer. Special purpose computers have many features of general-purpose computers but are designed to handle specific problems and are not applied to other computerized activities. For example, special purpose computers may be designed to process only numeric data or to completely control automated manufacturing processes. Moat analogue computers are special purpose computers.