Type of computer & use

Type of computer & use

Types of Computers

Computers are classified into microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers. Microcomputers may be either personal computers (PCs) or workstations. PCs include desktop units, laptops, otebooks, subnotebooks, Tablet PC, Pocket PCs (electronic organizers, palmtops, personal digital assistants), and pen computers.Workstations are some sophisticated desktop microcomputers used for technical purposes.

Minicomputers are intermediate size machines that have become important as "servers," for holding databases and programs for many PCs. Mainframes are the large size of computers and are used in large companies to handle millions of transactions. The high-capacity minis called super computers are the fastest calculating devices and are used for large-scale projects. Super computers have two designs vector processing and massively parallel processing.Generally said, the larger the computer, the greater its processing power.

1. Micro-Computers or Personal Computers

A smal, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user is called personal computers (PC) or Micro-computers. Prices of personal computers ranges anywhere from a few thousands to over fifty thousand rupees, depending largely on the configuration and based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use for personal computers is for playing games and watching movies as well.

Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s. One of the first and most popular personal computers was the Apple I, introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer, followed by IBM in 1981. Today, the world of personal computers is basically distinguished between Apple Macintoshes (called Mac) and PCs

The principal characteristics of personal computers is that it is a single-user system and based on microprocessors, however, it is common to link them together to form a network. In terms of power, there is great variety. At the high end, the distinction between personal computers and workstations has faded. High-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same computing power and graphics capability as low-end workstations by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and DEC.

Microcomputers or PC comes in various sizes, such as (a) Desktops A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the monitor sitting on top of the computer/table. Desktop model computers are broad and low, whereas tower model computers are narrow and tall. Because of their shape, desktop model computers are generally limited to three internal mass storage devices. Desktop models designed tobe very small are sometimes referred to as slim line models.

(b) Laptoop computer A small portable computer-small enough to sit on your lap. Some laptops are designed for specific purposes and their sizes reduced are/or customized and these are called Net Books computers.

(c) Notebook Computers An extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase. Aside from size, the principal difference between a notebook computer and a personal computer is the display screen. Notebook computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-bulky display screen.

In terms of computing power, laptops, modern notebook and Net Book computers are nearly equivalent to personal computers. These come with the same CPUS, memory capacity, and disk drives. However, all this power in a small package is expensive. Notebook computers thus cost about twice as much as the regular-sized computers.

(d) Pocket or hand-held computer A portable computer that is small enough to be held in ones's hand. Although extremely convenient to carry, handheld computers have not replaced notebook computers because of their small keyboards and screens. The most popular hand-held computers are those that are specifically designed to provide PIM (personal information manager) functions, such as a calendar and address book.

(e) Tablet PC : A Tablet computer or a Tablet, is a mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone orpersonal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen rather than using a physical keyboard. It often uses an onscreen virtual keyboard, a stylus pen, or a digital pen. The term may also apply to a variety of form factors that differ in position of the screen with respect to a keyboard. The standard form of tablet does not have an integrated keyboard but may be connected to one with a wireless link or a USB port. Convertible notebook computers have an integrated keyboard that can be hidden by a swivel joint or slide joint, exposing only the screen for touch operation. Hybrids have a detachable keyboard so that the touch screen can be used as a stand-alone tablet.

In 2010, Apple released the iPad, which used the operating system and touch screen technology similar to that used in their iPhone and became the first mobile computer tablet to achieve worldwide commerical success. This has sparked as new market for tablet computers and a variety of other manufacturers have produced versions of their own including Samsung, HTC, Motorala, RIM, Amazon, HP, Microsoft and many other. Competing Tablets use a variety of operating systems, although the main contenders are ioS (Apple), Android (Google), Windows (Microsoft) and QNX (RIM).

Typical features of Tablet computers are

Wireless mobile browser function (using 2G, 3G, 4G or WiFi)
E-mail and Social Media devices (typically with integrated apps to bring all feeds into the same view)
Potential cell phone functions (Messaging, video calling Speaker phone or Head set cellphone user)
GPS Satellite navigation
Stills and video camera functions, photo and video viewing and editing
E-book reading (including electronic versions of periodicals)
Downloadable apps (Games, education, utilities)
Portable media player function
Weigh around one or two pounds (0.50-1 kilogram)
Battery life of three to twelve hours depending on usage pattern

POCKET COMPUTERS may be classified into three types, in terms of their usage )

Electronic organisers or Electronic Diary are specialized pocket computers that mainly store appointments, addresses, and "to do" lists. Recent versions feature wireless links to other computers for data transfer. Electronic organizers can share stored data with a PC through a connecting wire or through Bluetooth.
Palmtop A small computer that literally fits in your palm is called palm top. Compared to full-size computers, palmtops are severely limited, but they are practical for certain functions such as phone books and calendars. Palmtops that use a pen rather than a keyboard for input are often called hand-held computers of PDAs.
PDA PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant, a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, and networking feature. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, and personal organizer. Unlike portable computers, most PDAS are pen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. This means that they also incorporate handwriting recognition features. Some PDAs can also react to voice input by using voice recognition technologies.
Pen computer A computer that utilizes an electronic pen (called stylus) rather than a keyboard for input is called pen computer. Pen computers generally require special operating systems that support handwriting recognition so that users can write on the screen or on a table instead of typing on a keyboard. Most pen computers are hand-held devices, which are too small for a full-size keyboard.

2. Mini-Computers

A mid-sized computer - in size and power, mini computers lie between microcomputer and mainframes is called minicomputer. A minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.

Traditionally, minicomputers have been used to serve the needs of medium-sized companies or of departments within larger companies, often for accounting or design and manufacturing with CAD/CAM software also. A server is a computer on a network that manages network resources. The entire network is called Client-Server Network. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic. A database server is a computer system that processes database queries.

Servers are often dedicated, meaning that they perform no other tasks besides their server tasks. On multiprocessing operating systems, however, a Single computer can execute several programs at onceA server in this case could refer to the program that is managing resources rather than the entire computer.

3. Mainframe Computers

Mainframe computers are very large and expensive devices, capable of processing significantly large volume of data and supportin8 nundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe. Unisys and IBM are the largest manufacturers of mainframes.

4. Super Computerss

The fastest type of computer is called supercomputer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are capable of processing very large volume of data and employed for specialized applications that require immensely large and advanced mathematical calculations. For example, weather Torecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.

Computers can be classified into the following categories, according to their usage and working system.

Analog Computer An Analog computer is a form of computer that uses the continuously changeable aspects of physical phenomenon such as electrical, mechanical and hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved. The Analog computer works on the supply of continuous electrical impulses. Analog computers are extraordinarily fast, since they can solve most complex equations at the rate at which a signal transverse the circuit, which is generally an appreciable fraction of the speed of light. However, the precision of Analog Computer 1s considered insufficient, tor they are limited to three ora maximum ot four digits of precision.

Digital Computer This is a general purpose high speed devices that can be programmed to carry out a finite set of mathematical calculations, compare values and store the results or pertorming logical operations. Digital computer takes the solution of equation to almost unlimited precislon, but quíte siowly as compared to Analog computer. For many real-time operations, the speed of digital Computers are considered too sloW, Sucn as very high frequency phased array radar for weather calculations, but the precision of Analog Computer is considered insufficient, while accuracy of Digital computers are not questionable.

Hybrid Computer Such computer exhibit features of both, Analog and Digital computers and finds application in Scientific applications and industrial usage. The digital components normally serve as the controller and provide logical operations, while the analog components normally serve as a solver of differential equations. Hybrid computer are used to obtain a very good but relatively imprecise seed value, using an analog computer front-ent, which is then fed into a digital computer iteration process to achieve the final desired level of accuracy.

Application of Computers (use)

Major technical innovations have always had a severe impact on the lives of individuals. Same is true for computers also. Computers have entered every area of the society and organizations, where individuals work. Computers are being used in almost every sphere of activity ranging from home top defense and entertainment to business and commerce. Let us see how computers are used in various spheres of our life today.

Defence Today, without computers, our defense could become grossly vulnerable. We may recall the recent American-Iraq war in which the American Army used computers extensively to launch missiles, track enemy aircrafts using radars, plan attacks and strategies etc. The entire operation was conducted by commanders remotely, Sitting in distant places.

Homes computers are increasingly becoming smaller in size, affordable and easy to operate and use. These are finding their way into homes where they are used for keeping accounts, study, sending mail, playing games etc.

Science and Engineering Computers are used to šolve complex mathematical and scientific calculations which would otherwise require years of effort. Before computers, the launching of spacecraft and landing on the moon would have been distant dreams. In addition to assisting in technical matters, oomputers aid the administrators to keep records, ccounts, maintain libraries of periodicals, journals, published papers etC.

Entertainment Increasing use of computers is made in this field. The movie such as "Jurassic Park", "Independence Day, Terminator, Titanic, "Ra-One" and Jaws" have used animation created on computers extensively to give special effects to the images. Today compact disk (CDs) used in record players are examples or computer technology having invaded this area.

Computers enable sound, audio and images to be combined to help film makers, advertisement agencies to quickly produce films or advertisement clips. Animation films, till recently were difficult to make, are noW easily produced with the help of graphics or computers,

Transportation Transportation companies and agencies rely on computers. Railway reservations are now done, real tme Dasis, on computers. Apart from enabling quicker reservations, it has enabled persons to plan journeys from any place to any other place with greater ease and less worry.the movement is also computerised which, not only impart efficiency to the handling but also enable a consignor to know the exact status of his consignment in a few moments.

Business and Finance No other sphere of activity has been as profoundly affected by computers as banking and finance. The volume of business of banking after introduction of computers has grown more than thousand told. Right from automatic maintenance of customer ledgers, identification of customers to payment of cash up to back office functions, such as balancing of books, MIS, funds transfer and reconciliation are all computerised. The Core Banking Solution (CBS) has facilitated Banks in offering virtual banking and "Anywhere Banking to their customers across the Globe, breaking the barriers of brick and mortar branches.

Most banks abroad are fully dependent on computers tor their functioning and even a half-an hour halt in the computer functions cost them millions of dollars. Even in India, private banks and co-operative banks have started fully computerized banking.

Hospitals and Medicine As the number of patients keeps growing. big hospitals have n0 option but to computerise their records to enable tracking the patients' history to help doctors in diagnoSing and administering medicine. Inventories of medicine are also computerised so that availability of medicines is readily known and stock-outs are avoided. With the improvement of technology, electronics and computers are being used in increased measures for diagnosing patients. Pharma companies use computers in various ways Such as for designing experiments, analysing results of experiments and even tormulation of drugs.

Other Areas Other spheres of activity where computers are being used are in schools and education, by Govt., in maintenance of records, administration and decision-making called e-governance by the tele-communication sector for Switching. store and forward facility, consumer billing & maintenance etc. the industry for production planning, inventory, sales and purchase etc.

Commerce It is the commercial world shops, banks, insurance and credit companies which makes the maximum use of computers in a variety of applications. It will be very diicult for the financial world to exist without the assistance or computers. The introduction of micro-computers enables he offices to function faster and efficientily. A number of software packages are used in business. Besides word processing, other packages used in the otices are spread Sneet, database management system, presentation software, specilalized accounting software etc.

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what is computer/कम्प्यूटर क्या है

कम्प्यूटर क्या है? कंप्यूटर एक उपकरण है जो इनपुट को स्वीकार करता है, इसे संसाधित करता है, यदि आवश्यक हो तो डेटा संग्रहीत करता है और उपयोगकर्ता की आवश्यकता के अनुसार वांछित आउटपुट देता है। कंप्यूटर शब्द का उपयोग इलेक्ट्रॉनिक और इलेक्ट्रोमैकेनिकल (पार्ट इलेक्ट्रॉनिक और पार्ट मैकेनिकल) घटकों के संयोजन से बने डिवाइस का वर्णन करने के लिए किया जाता है। अपने आप में, एक कंप्यूटर में कोई खुफिया नहीं है और इसे हार्डवेयर के रूप में संदर्भित किया जाता है। सामान्य तौर पर कंप्यूटर निम्नलिखित कार्य करता है। 1. उपयोगकर्ता आपूर्ति डेटा और निर्देशों को स्वीकार करें। 2. दिए गए निर्देश के अनुसार उच्च गति पर दी गई बड़ी मात्रा में जानकारी संग्रहीत करता है। 3. दिए गए निर्देश के अनुसार उच्च गति पर दी गई जानकारी को संसाधित करें। 4. उपयोगकर्ता विनिर्देशों के अनुसार परिणाम आउटपुट करें 5. बहुत तेज दर पर केबल के माध्यम से डाटा, इमेज, साउंड और ग्राफिक्स ट्रांसफर करता है दूसरे शब्दों में, हम कंप्यूटर को आपूर्ति करते हैं; संसाधित होने के लिए डेटा और निर्देश डेटा के साथ प्रक्रिया। कंप्यूटर डेटा और न...

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