Thursday, July 3, 2008

Classificatin of Computer



Classification of Computer:
Classification of Computers Computers can be classified many different ways -- by size, by function, and/or by processing capacity. We will study the classification of computers by size. The size of a computer often determines its function and processing capacity. The size of computers varies widely from tiny to huge and is usually dictated by computing requirements. For example, it is clear that the IRS will have different requirements than those of a college student. The largest computers are supercomputers. They are the most powerful, the most expensive, and the fastest. They are capable of processing trillions of instructions per second. Examples of users of these computers are governmental agencies, such as the IRS, the National Weather Service, and the National Defense Agency. Also, they are used in the making of movies, space exploration, and the design of many other machines. The Cray supercomputer is nicknamed "Bubbles", because of its bubbling coolant liquids. Cray supercomputers, the first of which was invented by Seymour Cray, now maintain 75 percent of the supercomputer market. Supercomputers are used for tasks that require mammoth data manipulation.
Large computers are called mainframes. Mainframe computers process data at very high rates of speed, measured in the millions of instructions per second. They are very expensive, costing millions of dollars in some cases. Mainframes are designed for multiple users and process vast amounts of data quickly. Banks, insurance companies, manufacturers, mail-order companies, and airlines are typical users. Mainframes are often ‘servers’-- computers that control the networks of computers for large companies like catalog merchandiser L. L. Bean.
Microcomputers can be divided into two groups -- personal computers and workstations. Workstations are specialized computers that approach the speed of mainframes. Often microcomputers are connected to networks of other computers. The price of a microcomputer varies greatly from less than $1000 to several thousand dollars, depending on the capacity and features of the computer. Microcomputers make up the vast majority of computers.
Another classification of computer is the notebook computer. A notebook computer can fit into a briefcase and weigh fewer than two pounds, yet it can compete with the microcomputer. A larger, heavier version is called a laptop computer. Notebooks generally cost more than microcomputers but can run most of the microcomputer software and are more versatile. Like other computers, notebook computers are getting faster, lighter, and more functional.
The smallest computer is the handhold computer called a personal digital assistant or a PDA. PD As are used to track appointments and shipments as well as names and addresses. PDAs are called pen-based computers because they utilize a pen-like stylus that accepts hand-written input directly on a touch-sensitive screen. You have probably noticed delivery employees using these.