Ignatius Ajuru University of Education

Rumuolumeni Port-Harcourt

GNS 121. Information and Communication Technology

Chimeka Bright
 Classification of Computers
Computers can be classified according to size, usage (purpose) and mode of operation.

Classification of Computers According to Mode of operation

Analog Computers: These computers operate by measuring continuous variables. Data

Digital Computers: These computers operate by counting discrete variables instead of

Hybrid Computers: These computers combine the best features of digital and analog
computer together into a single device to form a hybrid computer. Quantities are
measured in analog form, converted to digital which is then processed and converted to
analog form for output. Examples are: Patient Monitoring System, Modern Fuel
Dispenser. etc.
 Classification of Computers According to Purpose or Use
According to purpose or usage , computer can be classified into:

Special purpose Computers: These are computers that are designed to solve
problems in a particular domain area and are adapted to it. Examples are: Patient
Monitoring system, Anti Missile System, Fuel Despenser etc.

General Purpose Computers: These computers are computers that can solve
problems in a wider domain area using stored program concepts. These computers can
solve different problems using a different set of instructions adapted to the problem
area. They are more versatile and flexible. Examples are: Laptop Computers, desktop
computers, smart phone.
 Classification of Computers According to Size

Super Computers: These are the largest and fastest type of computers. They have a
speed of hundred of millions of operation per second, a primary memory capacity of 80
million characters and a secondary memory that is 20 times larger than its primary
memory. They support a multiuser system that can cover the distance between two
continents and they are used to perform much complex mathematical calculations.
Examples are: Computers in metrological stations, Nuclear reactor Computers, Space
station computers etc.

Mainframe Computers: They are smaller in size and memory than supercomputers.
They as well support a multiuser environment. They support hundreds of users and are
used in institutions and organisations as servers.
Mini Computers: These computers are smaller than Mainframe computers and they
also support multi-user environment although in a smaller ratio when compared to
mainframe computers. They are used in smaller organizations.

Mainframe Computers: They are smaller in size and memory than supercomputers.
They as well support a multiuser environment. They support hundreds of users and are
used in institutions and organisations as servers.

Micro computers: These are computers that have a single processor known as a
microprocessor and supports only a single user. They are also known as Personal
Computer PC.
Microcomputers

Minicomputers.
Mainframe Computer

Supercomputer.
Component of a Computer Systems
Input Unit
This is the unit that enable the computer user to interact with the computer. The
input unit is responsible for entering data into the computer. It has the ability to
convert this data into the format that the computer can understand. The input unit
comprises of devices which are called input devices. The following are some of them
➢ Mouse
➢ Keyboard
➢ Scanner
➢ Microphone
➢ Digital camera
➢ Webcam
➢ Light pen
➢ Joystick
➢ Magnetic barcode reader
➢ Optical Character Recognition scanner
Mouse
➢ Biometric Scanner.
Output Unit
This unit provides the user with information about the processed data in a format that
the user can understand. It comprises of devices that make up the output unit. These
devices are
➢ Monitor
➢ Speaker
➢ Printer
➢ Projector
➢ Plotter.

Monitor
 Memory Unit
The computer has a memory that holds data and the instruction that is required to
process it into information. In modern computers, this memory is called Random
Access Memory (RAM). The following are the characteristics of the RAM:
▪ It is made up of memory cells that have a fixed size
▪ Each cell has a unique address that consist of 0 and 1
▪ Memory can only be accessed through this unique address
▪ Same time is required to access any memory location.
▪ Both data and instructions are stored in the computer memory when the computer
is running.
▪ The memory is volatile meaning that data and instructions are lost when the
computer is powered off or is no longer running.
Generically the computer main memory is the RAM, however computer storage is
classified into Primary memory and Secondary storage.

Primary Memory: This consist of the Read Only Memory (ROM) and the Random
Access Memory (RAM). The CPU have direct access to the RAM and ROM. The RAM is
the memory that the CPU uses to process data while the ROM contain the BIOS (
Basic Input Output System). This information is very useful when the computer is
booting. Recall that the RAM is volatile while the ROM is not.

Secondary Storage: This storage cannot be directly accessed by the CPU. It usually
stores data permanently if it is in good shape. This means that it is not volatile. This
kind of storage includes the Hard disk, Flash drive, Memory cards, CD ROM , DVD
ROM, blu-ray.
Central Processing Unit
The Central Processing Unit is the brain of the computer. It is responsible for
executing the stored program It is made up of :
Arithmetic and Logic Unit: This unit is responsible for performing arithmetic
operations on data such as +, -, / ,* or logical operators such as <,>,>=, <=.

Registers: They are high speed storage areas within the CPU. They are directly
accessed by the CPU and are not referenced by their address as in the case of other
memory locations. It is the final holding place of data and instruction which the CPU
requires to work. The CPU has different registers for different purposes. They are:
▪ Accumulator (ACC) stores the result of arithmetic and logic operations.
▪ Instruction Register (IR) contains the current instruction most recently fetched.
▪ Program Counter (PC) contains the address of next instruction to be processed.
▪ Memory Address Register (MAR) contains the address of next location in the
memory to be accessed.
▪ Memory Buffer Register (MBR) temporarily stores data from memory or the data
to be sent to memory.
▪ Data Register (DR) stores the operands and any other data.
Control Unit: This unit controls how data is processed using the specified instructions
as well as other parts of the computer. It rather acts as supervisor or coordinator. The
following are the functions of the control unit:
▪ CU coordinates the input and output devices of a computer. It directs the
computer to carry out stored program instructions by communicating with the
ALU and the registers.
▪ CU uses the instructions in the Instruction Register (IR) to decide which circuit
needs to be activated. It also instructs the ALU to perform the arithmetic or logic
operations. When a program is run, the Program Counter (PC) register keeps
track of the program instruction to be executed next.
▪ CU tells when to fetch the data and instructions, what to do, where to store the
results, the sequencing of events during processing etc.
▪ CU also holds the CPU’s Instruction Set, which is a list of all operations that the
CPU can perform.
Note: The CPU is fabricated as a single Integrated Circuit (IC) chip, and is also
known as the microprocessor.
 Random Access Memory (RAM)

Microprocessor
Blu-ray

CD ROM

Flash Drive
Hard Disk