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Classification of Computer:-

Basically computers are classified into two types: -

1. Analog computer and 2. Digital computer
Analog is a Greek word, which means establishing similarities between two quantities.
Analog devices measure the value of a physically continuous quantity. For e.g. temperature
measured by thermometer with the help of expansion of mercury due to heat is an analog
process. Similarly, Analog computer measures continuously changing conditions, such as
temperature, pressure etc and convert them into quantity. Analog computers are mainly used
for scientific purposes.
Digital computers deal with physically discontinuous quantities. Digital computer
converts all inputs into 0’s and 1’s for processing and storing. The most commonly used
computers are all digital computers.
Hybrid computer is a combination of Digital and Analog computer.
Digital computers again classified into (i) General Purpose and (ii) Specific purpose
computer. General Purpose Computer can run a wide variety of application software. The
computers we used in our day to day life are all General Purpose Computer. Specific purpose
computer can run only the specific software for which it is specially built. For example, the
computers used for Air traffic control, for monitoring satellites movement etc are Specific
Purpose Computer.
General Purpose Computer again classified into 4 types according to size and
capacity:-
1. Micro Computer
2. Mini Computer or Server
3. Mainframe Computer
4. Super Computer
1. Micro Computer:-
Micro computers are mainly designed for single user. It is cheaper,
slower and of lesser storage capacity than Mini computer. Micro computer uses one
microprocessor as its CPU. Micro computers are again classified as Desktop computer or
PC, Laptop computer or Note book, Palmtop computer or PDA.

2. Mini Computer:-
Mini computers are mainly designed for multi users. Mini computer or
Server can be connected to 20 to 100 users in the same office building by providing terminals
using LAN. The cost, processing power, storage capacity of Mini computer is in between
Mainframe and Micro computer.

3. Mainframe Computer:-
Mainframe computer is also designed for multi users but it supports
thousand of users at different localities. It’s cost, processing power and storage capacity is far
greater than Mini computer but less than Super computer. It is mainly used by large banks,
university campus etc.

4. Super Computer:-
Super computers are the fastest, most powerful and costliest computer.
Super computer has multiple processors (CPU) and works on parallel processing. Super
computers are used for processing very large files and for performing very large scale
mathematical calculations. Examples of super computers are CRAY-3, PARAM etc.