2-Jul-14 Lafifa Jamal, CSE, DU.

1
Lecture-4
Introduction to Computers
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Classification of Computers
Supercomputers
Mainframe Computers
Minicomputers
Microcomputers, or Personal Computers
Workstations
Server,Client,Terminal
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Supercomputers
computer used for processing huge amount of data.
They are used for problems requiring complex calculations.
They are applied to the solution of very complex and
sophisticated scientific problems and for national security
purposes of some advanced nations.
Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are
relatively rare.
Supercomputers are used by universities, government
agencies, and large businesses.
They are generally used in the mapping of human gnome,
forecasting weather etc.
Example: The Cray X-MP
Supercomputers are the most
powerful computers and largest
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Mainframe Computers
Mainframe computers can
support hundreds or thousands
of users, handling massive
amounts of input, output, and
storage.
Mainframe computers are used
in large organizations where
many users need access to
shared data and programs.
They provide greater
processing speed, greater and
high speed storage , a larger variety of input/output devices,
multiprogramming and time-sharing.
Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, handling
transactions over the Internet.
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Minicomputers
Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger
than microcomputers.
They are physically smaller, less expensive and have
small storage capacity compared to mainframe.
They are ideally suited for processing tasks that do not
require access to huge volumes of stored data.
The capability of a minicomputer are somewhere
between mainframe and microcomputer.
Some of the larger and expensive minicomputers are
capable of supporting a number of terminals in time-
shared mode.
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Microcomputers
Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers. PC
refers to a type of computer system that was designed for use by a
single person.
Full-size desktop computers are the most common type of PC.
Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the power
of a desktop system, but also portability.
Handheld PCs (such as PDAs) lack the power of a desktop or notebook
PC, but offer features for users who need limited functions and small
size.
The brain of microcomputer is the microprocessor; it is a silicon chip
containing necessary circuits to perform arithmetic/logic operations
and to control input/output operations.
A microcomputer system is formed by adding I/O capability and
memory to the microprocessor.
In addition to general-purpose computations, microcomputers are also
used for special purpose applications in automobiles, airplanes, toys,
clocks etc.
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Workstations
Workstations are powerful single-user computers.
It represents the bridge between the microcomputers
and minicomputers. It has many of the features of PC
with the processing power of minicomputer.
It is a microcomputer with many of the capabilities of
larger minicomputers but costing much less.
Workstations were designed for use by engineers and
designers who need exceptionally powerful processing
and output capabilities.
Workstations are often used as network and Internet
servers.
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Servers
Servers are not designed to be used directly.
They make programs and data available for
users having access to a computer network.
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Clients
To use servers , users run programs called
clients, which know how to contact the server
and obtain information from the server.
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Terminals
Although terminals look like PC, they have
some limitations when compared with PC.
They have only a screen and a keyboard. It
has no CPU and storage devices.
They lack the ability to process data on their
own. So they are called dumb terminals.
An intelligent terminal can perform some
processing but it usually does not have any
storage.
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Computers In Society
More impact than any other invention
Changed work and leisure activities
Used by all demographic groups
Computers are important because:
Provide information to users
Information is critical to our society
Managing information is difficult


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Computers In Society
Computers at home
Many homes have multiple computers
Most American homes have Internet
Computers are used for
Business
Entertainment
Communication
Education



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Computers In Society
Computers in education
Computer literacy required at all levels
Computers in small business
Makes businesses more profitable
Allows owners to manage
Computers in industry
Computers are used to design products
Assembly lines are automated