Scribd
Upload
15 views4 pages

Topic 2 Part3

The document outlines the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, classifications, and generations of computers. Key characteristics include speed, accuracy, and versatility, while advantages highlight efficiency and storage capabilities. The document also details various types of computers based on size and purpose, as well as the evolution of computer technology through five generations.

Uploaded by

Victor Ogai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views4 pages

Topic 2 Part3

The document outlines the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, classifications, and generations of computers. Key characteristics include speed, accuracy, and versatility, while advantages highlight efficiency and storage capabilities. The document also details various types of computers based on size and purpose, as well as the evolution of computer technology through five generations.

Uploaded by

Victor Ogai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Characteristic of a computer

Any computer has the following characteristics;


1. Speed: A powerful computer is capable of performing about 3-4 million simple
instructions per second.
2. Automatic: Once activated, very minimum human being intervention, Given a job,
computer can work on it automatically without human interventions
3. Accuracy: free from errors, In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate.
Errors that may occur can almost always be attributed to human error (inaccurate
data, poorly designed system or faulty instructions/programs written by the
programmer)
4. Diligence: Ability to repeat the same activity at the same speed and accuracy.
Computer is free tiredness, It can work continuously for hours without creating any
error.
5. Versatility: able to adapt or to be adopted to different functions or activities,
Computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to a
finite series of logical steps
6. Power of Remembering: Computer can store and Recall any amount of information
because of its secondary storage capability. It forgets or loses certain information
only when it is asked to do so
7. No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. Their Judgment is based on the
instructions given to them in The form of programs that are written by us (human
Beings)
8. Storage-bulky data and information can be storage in very small devices
9. Electronic-very minimum number of moving parts of the computer system

ADVANTAGES

 Stores large chunks of information in a limited space.


 Speed: performs tasks in a very short period.
 Efficiency: creates an all round saving on space and time.
 Consistency: gives the same results given the same data and instruction (GIGO).
 Secrecy: information is fairly protected if the computer system is well managed.
 Versatility: can do the same thing over and over without getting worn out.
 Flexibility: can perform a variety of jobs as long as there is a well-defined procedure.

DISADVANTAGES.

 Computer costs are expensive and maintenance is also high.


 Reduce employment opportunity.
 Needs expertise which is expensive to hire and maintain.
 Loss of information if not well managed.
 Social unrest
 Technology: due to change in technology, there is no guarantee that the already bought
machine could become obsolete in a coup of months.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMPUTERS.

Computers can be classified using several criteria such as:

1. Size
2. Purpose
3. Type of Data they process and so on.

SIZE

There are four types of computers according to size. They are:-

Super Computers:

 They are the largest computers to be invented.


 They are very expensive, very fast, and the most powerful computers in the world. They
are quite rare as they are mainly used in scientific research stations i.e. nuclear stations
and weather forecasting stations.

Mainframes:

 They are of medium size.


 They are less expensive as compare to super computers.
 Stores data on magnetic media.
 They are used in places like insurance companies and airline reservations.

Mini-Computers:

 These are smaller and less powerful than mainframes.


 They are multitasking i.e. several people can also use them from different locations at the
same time.

Microcomputers (Personal Computers):

These are the smallest machines in the range of computers made to fit on desktop for an
individual person’s use, while some are portable. They are the latest machines to be developed.
An individual at work or home can use them.

They can be classified into two categories;

1. Desktop-Designed to be placed on the desk.


2. Laptops –Are Portable computers powered by rechargeable batteries and are smaller than
desktop PCs. They range in size and can be called laptops, Notebooks and Sub-
notebooks. Palmtops are the smallest PCs and are only about the size of a calculator.

DATA THEY PROCESS

We have three basic types of computers classified according to the way they produce data:-
i)Analog Computers

They are used to measure physical magnitudes such as temperature, pressure etc.The are used for
scientific and engineering purposes. They are also commonly used in ICU;s in hospitals.

ii)Digital Computers.

They are used for commercial data processing. They function by taking discrete numbers and
perform mathematical calculation on them.

iii)Hybrid Computers.

These types of computers have both the characteristics of the analog and digital computers e.g.
computers used in the petrol stations

PURPOSE

Here they can be classified into two:-

Special Purpose Computers

As suggested by the name, are computers designed for a particular work or job only, to solve
problem of a restricted nature. Examples are computers designed for air traffic control or weapon
guidance system.

General Purpose Computers.

These are designed to solve a wide variety of problems. Within the limitation imposed to their
particular design capabilities, they can be adopted to perform particular task or solve problem by
means of special written programs

COMPUTER GENERATION.

The first electronic computers were produced in the 1940s.Since then, radical changes in
electronics have occurred. With each major break through, the computers based upon the older
form of electronics have been replaced with the new form of electronics thus forming the
generation of computers.

First Generation-(1940-1959)

 These were earliest computers using vacuum tubes as their key electronic devices.
 They had the biggest size.
 They used punch-card as their input device.
 They had an operation speed of 40,000 operation /sec
 They produced a lot of heat, thus had a higher chance of breaking down.
 They only required an expert to operate and were the most expensive.

Second Generation-(1959-1965).

 These were more reliable than the first generation.


 The key electronic device was the transistor.
 They were smaller in size than first generation.
 Their speed was 200,000 operation /sec.
 They were less expensive than the 1st
 Their internal memory was in a form of magnetic tape.

Third Generation-(1965-1971)

 These were more powerful and reliable computers using simple integrated circuits.
 Their size was smaller than the first and second generation.
 A single IC has many transistors, resistors, and capacitors along with the associated
circuitry.
 Their processing speed was higher, 1,000,000 operation /sec
 They were multitasking in nature.
 They had a higher internal storage.

Fourth Generation-(1971-1980)

 They used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits


 VLSI circuits had many transistors and other elements on a single chip thus giving rise to
microcomputers.
 They are the smaller in size, have higher processing speed.
 They have a higher internal storage capacity.
 They are very cheap as compared to the other.
 They allow time sharing, real time networks and distributed operating systems to be used.
 They brought about Personal Computer (PC) revolution.

Fifth Generation-(1980 onwards)

 They use ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of
microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components.
 This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
software which enables computers to converse with people in human –like manner and
mimic human sense and intelligence e.g Siri, Cortana, Google search engine

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy