Classification of Computers

Classification of Computers ITE102 – Computer Programming (C++)

By Size Three Classification of Computers According to size: • Mainframe • Mini Computers • Micro Computers

Mainframe • very large computers that require extensive space • very expensive to buy and maintain • general purpose in nature and have very large computing power • used in banks, insurance companies, manufacturing firms, universities

Mini Computer • smaller in size than the mainframes but bigger than the micro computers • less expensive to mainframes computers • some are still been used for special or dedicated purposes • have the ability to handle complex calculations

Micro Computers • the smallest and the cheapest when compared with mainframes and mini computers • otherwise known as personal computers (PC)

By Year Generations of Computers • First Generation • Second Generation • Third Generation • Fourth Generation • Fifth Generation

First Generation of Computers • from the year 1946 – 1960 • Used vacuum tubes as storage unit • EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer), UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer), and ENIAC (Electronic Integrator and Computer)

First Generation of Computers FEATURES OF FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERa. They are very large computersb. They generate a lot of heatc. They consume a lot of powerd. They are very expensive

Second Generation of Computers • from the year 1960 – 1964 • used transistors as means of storage • MERITS OF TRANSISTORS OVER VACUUMa. Transistor is a fraction of vacuum tubeb. It is faster than the vacuum tubec. It is accurated. It occupies less spacee. It is more powerful and can perform the work of 1000 vacuum tubes.

Third Generation of Computers • from the year 1965 – 1970 • known as the age of IC’s (integrated circuits • can carryout the job of 40 transistors

Third Generation of Computers FEATURES OF THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERSa. It is smaller in size than the former generations computersb. It provides less heatc. It is very powerful in productivityd. It cost lesser compare to the former generations of computer

Fourth Generation of Computers • from the year 1970 – 1980 • Improvements on the integrated circuit to the large scale integrated circuit or VASIC chips • operates a million times faster than old vacuum tube

Fifth Generation of Computers • referred to as future computers • proposed to be as intelligent and capable as a human being • self-sufficient to a very large storage capacity from the previous computers

Classification of Computers