CLASSIFICATION
OF COMPUTERS
The computers can be classified
based on the technology being used as: Digital, Analog and Hybrid.
DIGITAL COMPUTER
These computers are capable of processing
information in discreate form. In digital technology data which can be in the
forms of letters, symbols and numbers is represented in binary form i.e. 0’s
and 1’s. binary digits are easily expressed in a digital computer by the
presence (1) or absence (0) of current voltage. It computes by counting and
adding operations. The digital is used in industrial, business and scientific
applications. They are quite suitable for large volume data processing.
ANALOG
COMPUTER
An analog computer works on
continuously changeable aspects of physical
phenomenon such as fluid pressure,
mechanical motion and electrical quantities. These computers measure changes in
continuous physical quantities say current and voltage. These computers are
used to process data generated by ongoing physical processes. A thermometer is
an example of an analog computer since it measures the change in mercury level
continuously. Although the accuracy of an analog computer is less as compared
to digital computers, yet it is used to process data generated by changing physical
quantities especially when the response to change is fast. Most present day analog
computers are well suited to simulating systems. A simulator helps to conduct experiments
repeatedly in real time environment. Some of the common examples are simulations
in aircrafts, nuclear power plants, hydraulic and electronic networks.
HYBRID
COMPUTER
This use both analog and digital
technology. It has the speed of analog computer and the accuracy of a digital
computer. It may accept digital or analog signals but an extensive conversion
of data from digital to analog and analog to digital has to be done. Generally,
the analog components provide efficient processing of differential equations while
the digital part deals with logical operations of the system. Hence benefits of
both analog and digital computing are readily available. Hybrid Computers are
used as a cost-effective means for complex simulations.
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