1.

Classify computer systems according to capacity. How they are

different from computers according to the classification of technology.
Provide comparative study also.
Answer.
Capacity of a computer refers to the volume of data that a
computer system can process. Formerly a computers size was a sign of its
capacity. With the current state of smallness, dimension of capacity is based
on throughput of the computer. Throughput is the quantity of processing
that can be performed in a given amount of time. Based on throughput
computer systems can be divided into four major categories:

Microcomputers

Minicomputers

Mainframe computes

Supercomputers

Microcomputers:
Microcomputers are generally known as personal computers-PCs and
are microprocessor based small notebook or laptop or desktop systems with
changeable capacity. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are very small
portable computers. PDAs are also recognized as the palmtop computers.
The brain of a microcomputer is the microprocessor; it is a silicon chip
containing essential circuits to execute logic or arithmetic operations and to
manage the input/output operations. A microprocessor is an integrated
circuit which usually contains millions of transistors squeezed onto a small
silicon chip. A microcomputer system is formed by adding input and output
facility along with memory to the microprocessor.

Microcomputers
At the initial time the microcomputers had very limited processing
power and limited choice of input/output devices. But at modern days they
have wider processing capabilities and maintain a wide range of
input/output devices. Today microcomputers are available with a collection
of input/output devices varying from a tape recorder to a voice synthesizer.
In addition to general-purpose computations, microcomputers are also used
for exceptional purpose applications in automobiles, airplanes, toys, clocks,
appliances etc.

Workstations: The High-end microcomputers are also recognized as

workstations. They symbolize the bridge between the microcomputers and
minicomputers. It is a microcomputer with many of the facilities and
abilities of bigger minicomputers but price much less. At first it was
designed for use by designers and engineers who need extremely powerful
processing and output capabilities.

Servers: Servers are not designed to be used directly. They make programs
and data available for users having access to a computer network. A
computer network is a collection of computers connected together.

Clients: To use servers, users run desktop programs called clients, which
know how to contact the server and obtain information from the server. Use
of desktop clients and centralized servers is called client/server computing.

Terminals: Although terminals look like the personal computers, they have
some limitations when compared with personal computers. Terminals have
only a screen and a keyboard and the electronics that allow them to
communicate with the computer to which they are connected. Because they
lack the ability to process data on their own, they are called dumb
terminals. There is a variety of dumb terminals that can perform limited
processing. These are called smart terminals. A personal computer is an
example of a smart terminal.

Minicomputers:
A minicomputer system performs the basic arithmetic and logic
functions and supports some of the programming language used with large
computer systems. They are physically smaller, less expensive, and have
small storage capacity compared to mainframes. Minicomputers are ideally
suited for processing tasks that do not require access to huge volumes of
stored data. As a result of low cost, ease of operation, and versatility,
minicomputers have gained repaid acceptance since their introduction in the
mid-sixties. Some of the larger and expensive minicomputers are capable of
supporting a number of terminals in a time-shared mode. Uses of

minicomputers are gradually being diminished with the rapid development

of microcomputers.

Mainframe Computers:
A larger computer normally consists of modules accumulated on a
chassis and is terms as a mainframe computer. They differ in size, from
those a little larger than a minicomputer to supercomputers. These
computer systems present extensive benefits over minicomputers or
microcomputers. Some of these are: greater storage facility, greater
processing speed, a larger assortment of input/output devices, and support
for a number of high-speed storage devices, multiprogramming, and time
sharing.
Owing to wonderful expense, a mainframe computer system must be
operated powerfully. Operating mainframes at the necessary level of
effectiveness requires a very large and highly trained staff. These are
normally used by government agencies, large business, military and the
universities. These systems are often coupled with other computer systems
in a large network to give massive computing power. This is referred to as a
distributed data processing system.

Supercomputer:
A very powerful and large mainframe computer is known as a
supercomputer. The astronomical cost of super-computers has limited their
development to only a few hundred worldwide. The example of a
supercomputer is the Cray X-MP. Such supercomputers are applied to the
solution of very difficult and complicated scientific and technical problems.
Supercomputers are also used for the various national security purposes of
some advanced nations.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS:According to Technology used Computer can be classified on the basis

of different factors such as circuits and the task performance capabilities
under this classification, computer have been classified into three
categories.

Analog computers

Digital computer

Hybrid computer.

Analog computers.
An analog computer works with current rather
them by the process of counting. Analog computer works on supply of
continuous signal and display continuous speed. Thus an analog computer
is special purpose computer that recognize data as a continuous
measurement of a physical property (voltage, pressure, speed and
temperature).
Example: Automobile speedo meter but cannot give accuracy more
than.

Digital computers.
As its name suggest it works with digits 0s and 1s
in other words digital computers is a counting device. These are high speed
programmable electronic devices that perform mathematical calculations,
compare values and store results. They recognize data by counting discrete
signal representing either a high or low voltage state of electricity.

Hybrid computer.
It is a combination of Analog computers used in
continuous system also non-linear discrete features of a digital computer
such as storing values logical operations and switching.
These computers are mostly used with process control equipment in
continuous production plants like all refineries etc. and used at places
where signals as well as data are to be entered into computer. Areas of
applicationnuclear power plants mine etc.