A computer is an electronic device that processes data according to instructions that are

provided by user.

Accept and store data input

Process that data input and generate the output.

Charles Babbage

Classification of Computers
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The computer systems can be classified on the following basis:

1. On the basis of size.
2. On the basis of functionality.
3. On the basis of data handling.

Classification on the basis of size

Super computers : The super computers are the most high performing
system. A supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance
compared to a general-purpose computer.
eg: PARAM, jaguar, roadrunner

Mainframe computers : These are commonly called as big iron, they are
usually used by big organisations for bulk data processing such as statistics,
census data processing, transaction processing
Eg: IBM z Series, System z9 and System z10 servers.

Mini computers : These computers came into the market in mid 1960s and
were sold at a much cheaper price than the main frames, they were actually
designed for control, instrumentation, human interaction, and communication
switching as distinct from calculation and record keeping, later they became
very popular for personal uses with evolution.
Eg: Personal Laptop, PC etc.

Micro computers : A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive

computer with a microprocessor as its CPU.
Eg: Tablets, Smartwatches.
Classification on the basis of functionality

1. Servers : Servers are nothing but dedicated computers which are set-up
to offer some services to the clients. They are named depending on the
type of service they offered. Eg: security server, database server.

2. Workstation : Those are the computers designed to primarily to be used

by single user at a time. They run multi-user operating systems. They are
the ones which we use for our day to day personal / commercial work.
3. Information Appliances : They are the portable devices which are
designed to perform a limited set of tasks like basic calculations, playing
multimedia, browsing internet etc. They are generally referred as the
mobile devices. They have very limited memory and flexibility and
generally run on “as-is” basis.
4. Embedded computers : They are the computing devices which are used
in other machines to serve limited set of requirements. They follow
instructions from the non-volatile memory and they are not required to
execute reboot or reset. The processing units used in such device work to
those basic requirements only and are different from the ones that are
used in personal computers- better known as workstations.

Classification on the basis of data handling

1. Analog : An analog computer is a form of computer that uses the

continuously-changeable aspects of physical fact such as electrical,
mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.
Any thing that is variable with respect to time and continuous can be
claimed as analog just like an analog clock measures time by means of
the distance traveled for the spokes of the clock around the circular dial.
2. Digital : A computer that performs calculations and logical operations
with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system
of “0” and “1”, “Computer capable of solving problems by processing
information expressed in discrete form. from manipulation of the
combinations of the binary digits, it can perform mathematical
calculations, organize and analyze data, control industrial and other
processes, and simulate dynamic systems such as global weather
patterns.
3. Hybrid : A computer that processes both analog and digital data, Hybrid
computer is a digital computer that accepts analog signals, converts them
to digital and processes them in digital form.
Components of the Computer System
The various components of the computer system are classified into two
groups.
 Hardware
 Software
1. Hardware
Hardware is the physical tangible component of the computer system. This
type of component is touchable. CPU, Mouse, Keyboard are examples of
hardware components. So, the hardware of the computer system are:
 Input Device: Input devices allow the user to enter data/information in the
CPU (Central Processing Unit). Mouse, Keyboard, scanner, barcode
reader are general examples of input devices.
 Output Device: Output devices input the processed data/information into
human-readable form. Monitor, speaker, projector, printer are general
examples of output devices.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is referred to as the brain of a
computer system. It is used to processed data/information and provides
output to output devices. The CU (control unit), ALU (arithmetic and
logical unit), and registers are components of the CPU.
 Storage: In a computer, storage devices are used to store the data or
information that entered into the computer system and the output comes
from processing the information or data.
2. Software:
Software is a collection of programs (set of instructions), data, and protocols.
It is not in material form so we can not touch such types of components. The
execution of software programs is performed by
hardware. Firmware, operating systems, applications are examples of
software.
Features of Computer
Now we will discuss the features of the computer:
 Features of Computer

 Speed: A computer is a time-saving device. It performs several

calculations and tasks in few seconds that we take hours to solve. The
speed of a computer is measure in terms of GigaHertz and MegaHertz.
 Accuracy: A calculation or task performed by a computer is accurate the
chances of occurring errors are minimal. The errors occur in a computer
by entering wrong data by a human being. A computer performs several
tasks and calculations so quickly and accurately.
 Memory: A computer can store billions of records as per requirement and
these records can easily accessible with full accuracy. The storing
capacity of computer memory is measured in terms of Bytes, Kilobytes
(KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabyte(GB), and Terabyte(TB).
 Versatility: A computer can perform more than one task at the same
time, this feature is called versatility. For example, we can create our
project using PowerPoint and Wordpad while listening to music or we can
design a website while listening to music.
 Automation: Today the world is moving toward AI (Artificial Intelligence)
based technology. Once instructions are programmed, a computer can
perform work automatically. This feature of the computer replaces
thousands of workers by performing tasks automatically.

 Reliability: A computer is a reliable device. The output results never

differ until the input is different. If an input is the same then output won’t
be different.
 Diligence: A human can not work for several hours without taking a rest
whereas a computer device never gets tired. A computer can perform
millions of calculations constantly with full accuracy without taking a rest.

Basic Applications of Computers
Computers are used in every field of life, such as homes, businesses,
educational institutions, research organizations, the medical field,
government offices, entertainment, etc. Today we can not imagine growing
our technology without computers. The various field where the computer is
very essential are:
Science
Today computer is the primary work tool in the field of science. It is the best-
suited machine for collecting, analyzing, classifying, and storing data. It
becomes the most essential medium to spread knowledge internally and
internationally. It allows scientists from different locations to work together
and share ideas on the same project.
Defence System
A computer performs a vital to control defense system. Computers are used
to track airplanes, missiles, tanks, and different kinds of weapons. Once the
radar system tracks a missile and artificial intelligence is programmed to
target a missile and destroy it before it comes on the surface. It also used
for GPS tracking, controlling defense vehicles, records of all members of the
military.
Medical
The computer plays a very important role in medical science such as record
patients’ information monitoring heart rate, oxygen level, and blood pressure.
To conduct various surgeries junior doctors get the help of another
professional doctor by web conferencing. Research is also spread with the
help of computers in the health sector.
Education
Today learning becomes easy because of computers. Anyone employed or
student can learn any stage of life with the help of a computer. Computers
are very crucial for online classes, download study material on the internet.
Computers are also used to track student attendance and learning
strategies. Coaching and institutes increased their areas by audio-visual aids
using computers.
Banking
A computer performs a crucial role in banking sectors, by storing several
account holder details on a bank server. All transactions such as deposits
and withdrawals perform by a computer. A banking company can easily
monitor all ATMs and passbook printing machines.
Government Sectors
Government can easily monitor government sectors such as road services,
railway, development, and other rising funds. The information of every citizen
is stored on the server through the computer.
Entertainment

Generations of Computers

First Generation Computers

In the period of the year 1940-1956, it was referred to as the period of the
first generation of computers. These machines are slow, huge, and
expensive. In this generation of computers, vacuum tubes were used as the
basic components of CPU and memory. Also, they were mainly dependent
on the batch operating systems and punch cards. Magnetic tape and paper
tape were used as output and input devices. For example ENIAC, UNIVAC-
1, EDVAC, etc.
Second Generation Computers
In the period of the year, 1957-1963 was referred to as the period of the
second generation of computers. It was the time of the transistor computers.
In the second generation of computers, transistors (which were cheap in
cost) are used. Transistors are also compact and consume less power.
Transistor computers are faster than first-generation computers. For primary
memory, magnetic cores were used, and for secondary memory magnetic
disc and tapes for storage purposes. In second-generation computers,
COBOL and FORTRAN are used as Assembly language and programming
languages, and Batch processing and multiprogramming operating systems
were used in these computers.
For example IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, etc.
Third Generation Computers
In the third generation of computers, integrated circuits (ICs) were used
instead of transistors(in the second generation). A single IC consists of many
transistors which increased the power of a computer and also reduced the
cost. The third generation computers are more reliable, efficient, and smaller
in size. It used remote processing, time-sharing, and multiprogramming as
operating systems. FORTRON-II TO IV, COBOL, and PASCAL PL/1 were
used which are high-level programming languages.
For example IBM-360 series, Honeywell-6000 series, IBM-370/168, etc.
Fourth Generation Computers
The period of 1971-1980 was mainly the time of fourth generation
computers. It used VLSI(Very Large Scale Integrated) circuits. VLSI is a chip
containing millions of transistors and other circuit elements and because of
these chips, the computers of this generation are more compact, powerful,
fast, and affordable(low in cost). Real-time, time-sharing and distributed
operating system are used by these computers. C and C++ are used as the
programming languages in this generation of computers.
For example STAR 1000, PDP 11, CRAY-1, CRAY-X-MP, etc.
Fifth Generation Computers
From 1980 – to till date these computers are used. The ULSI (Ultra Large
Scale Integration) technology is used in fifth-generation computers instead of
the VLSI technology of fourth-generation computers. Microprocessor chips
with ten million electronic components are used in these computers. Parallel
processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software are also used in
fifth-generation computers. The programming languages like C, C++,
Java, .Net, etc. are used.

What is a CPU?
A Central Processing Unit is the most important component of a computer
system. A CPU is hardware that performs data input/output, processing, and
storage functions for a computer system. A CPU can be installed into a CPU
socket. These sockets are generally located on the motherboard. CPU can
perform various data processing operations. CPU can store data,
instructions, programs, and intermediate results.

Different Parts of CPU

Now, the CPU consists of 3 major units, which are:
 Memory or Storage Unit
 Control Unit
 ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Let us now look at the block diagram of the computer:

What are different parts of CPU?

There are three different parts of CPU:
 Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU): The Arithmetic and Logical Unit (or
ALU) execute arithmetic and logical operations.
 Control Unit (CU): The control unit communication with input and output
devices for the transfer of data from memory.
 Memory or storage unit: All sorts of inputs and outputs are spread
through the memory unit.