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What is computer ?

• A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data according to the set of the instructions.
• It has ability to store, retrieve, and process data.
• The first computer has been derived from Latin language

Functions of a computer ?

(Computer performs four basic functions)

• Input : Information or data that is entered into a computer is called input. It send data and instruction to the CPU.
• Processing : It is the sequence of actions taken on data to convert it into a information which is meaningful to the user.
• Output : It makes processed data available to the user. It is mainly used to display the result.
• Storage : It stores and programs permanently. It is used to store information during the time of program execution and possible to get any type of information from it.

History of computer ?

• Siddhartha was the first computer developed in India.
• Alan Turing is known as the father of the modern computer.
• John von Neumann was introduced first architecture of computer in the year 1948.
• Transistors were invented by Bell laboratory
• In 1958, Jack St. Clair Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the first IC.

On the Basis of  : Type

Analog :

• These computers carry out arithmetic and logical operations by manipulating and processing of data.
• Analog computer is used to measure physical quantities, temperature, pressure weight and height.

Example : Watches , Speedometer, Mercury thermometer etc.

Digital Computer

These do work by calculating the binary digits. A digital computer, not only performs mathematical calculations, but also combines the bytes to produce desired graphics, sounds. e.g. Desktop (PC).

Hybrid Computers

These are the combination of analog and digital computers. Machines used in hospitals like ECG and DIALYSIS are the commonly used hybrid computers.

On the Basis of  : Purpose

General Purpose Computer :

General purpose computers are those computers, which are used to solve variety of problems by changing the program or instructions. e.g. To make small database, calculations, accounting, etc.

Special Purpose Computer :

Special purpose computers are those computers which are used to solve a single and dedicated types of problem.

Example :  Automatic aircraft landing. multimedia computer, etc.

On the Basis of  :  Size

Micro computers :

These types of computers are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and are also called portable computers.

A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as its CPU.

Example : Tablets, Smartwatches.

Mini Computers :

These are smaller in size, faster and cost lower than mainframe computers. Initially, the minicomputer was designed to carry out some specific tasks, like engineering and Computer Aided Design (CAD) calculations. But now, they are being used as central computer which is known as Server. Minicomputers are IBM-17, DEC PDP-11, HP-9000, etc.

Mainframe Computer

These types of computers having large internal memory storage and comprehensive range of software. Mainframe computer serves as a backbone for the entire business world. It is considered as the heart of a network of computers or terminals that allow a large number of people to work at the same time.

Mainframe computers are IBM-370, IBM-S/390, UNIVAC-1110, etc.

Supercomputer

These are the fastest and most expensive machines. They have high processing speed compared to other computers. Supercomputers are most powerful, large in size and memory, compared to all other computers. The speed of supercomputers are measured in FLOPS (Floating operations per second).

Supercomputers are used for highly calculation intensive tasks, such as weather forecasting, nuclear research, military agencies and scientific research laboratories.

(i)CRAY-1 was the world’s first supercomputer introduced by Seymour R CRAY in 1976.

(ii)PARAM was the first supercomputer developed in India in 1990.

(iii)PARAM ISHAN is the latest machine in the series of PARAM made by C-DAC and IIT Guwahati on 20th September, 2016

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