Types of digital computer II Digital computer and it's types

Topics covered: Types of digital computer, what is digital computer, digital computer types, digital computer and it's types 

Types of digital computer 

Digital computers are programmable machines that use electronic technology to generate, store and process data. Two terms, positive "1" and non-positive "0" compose the data into a string. The classification of digital computer basically includes the following types. The major types of digital computers are: 

Super Computers

Supercomputers are the most powerful and largest computers among all the types of digital computer in the world. They are huge in size, have highest processing speed and the most expensive than other computers. These  computers are used to process large amount of data to solve the complicated scientific problems. Supercomputers incorporate architectural and operational principles from parallel and grid processing , where a process is simultaneously executed on thousands of processors or is distributed among them. They can perform more than one trillion calculations per second. They have large number of processors connected parallely so that thousands of users can work at the same time in a single supercomputer. The examples of supercomputers are : Sunway Taihulight (China), Trinity(US), Gyoukou (Japan) etc.

Some of the applications of super  computer in real life situations are:

• Automobile industries
• Meteorological centers
• Structural machanics industries
• Petroleum industries 
• Aerospace industries

Mainframe Computers

A mainframe is an ultra high performance computer made for high volume, processor-intensive computing types of digital computer. They are typically used by large businesses and for scientific purposes. Mainframe digital computers are more powerful than minicomputers. They are larger in size, have higher processing speed larger storage capacity and expensive than mini computers. These computers specially require a large room with air conditioner. They have multiple processors so that thousands of users can use single mainframe computer at a time. The mainframe computers are specially used as servers on the World Wide Web. These computers are used in large organizations such as a banks, airlines, universities, etc. where many users need frequent access to the same data. The examples of mainframe computers are IBM (International Business Machines ) 1401, ICL (International Computers Limited) 2950/10 etc.

Mini computers

Mini computers are medium sized digital computers types which are more powerful than microcomputers. They are called as an average sized computers that are intermediate between a microcomputer and a mainframe in size, speed, and capacity.  The mini computers can support time-sharing , and that is often dedicated to a single application. They have higher processing speed and also have higher cost than microcomputers. Many users can use one minicomputer at the same time. These digital computers are commonly used as server in network and hundreds of personal computers can be connected with it. The minicomputers are used in business, education and many other fields. For example (Programmed Data Processor) PDP-11, (Hewlett Packard) HP 3000 etc.

Workstation Computers

Workstation computers are the type of digital computer dedicated to the users engaged in business or professional work. These types of digital computers may be with greater multitasking capability and also include one or more high resolution display and faster processor. Workstation computers are high-performance computer system that is basically designed for a single user and has advanced graphics capabilities, large storage capacity, and a powerful microprocessor (central processing unit) . A workstation is more capable than a personal computer but is less advanced than a midrange computer. These computers are commonly networked together thus allows them to send files back and forth over the network , which is important for various types of media production.

Micro computers

The microcomputers are general purpose type of  digital computer also known as home computers. They are small sized computer which use microprocessor as their CPU. These computers are single user computers because they are designed to be used by one person at a time. Microcomputers support networking environment, internet system, and advance software therefore used in most of the fields. The most popular types of digital microcomputers are the PC of IBM and the Macintosh of Apple. But recently desktops, laptops are popularly used. Microcomputers are also considered as personal computers (PCs).

Differences between mini-computer and micro-computers as a type of digital computer

Mini Computer	Micro Computer
i. Minicomputers are more powerful than microcomputers.	i. Microcomputers are less powerful than minicomputers.
ii. Minicomputers are bigger than microcomputers.	ii. Microcomputers are smaller than mini computers.
iii. Minicomputers are more expensive than microcomputers.	iii. Microcomputers are cheaper than minicomputers.
iv. Microcomputers are not general purpose  computers.	iv. Microcomputers are general purpose computers.
E.g.IBM1401	E.g. Laptop, PDAs