TYPES OF COMPUTER AND THEIR APPLICATIONS AND IMPACTS

Types of Computer

Since the advent of the first computer different types and sizes of computers are offering different services. Computers can be as big as occupying a large building and as small as a laptop or a micro controller in mobile & embedded systems. Computer are classified in two categories which areBased on Technology and Based on Performance and Capacity.

There are three different types of computers based on Technology. Those three types of computers are :

• Analog Computers  
• Digital Computers  
• Hybrid Computers

Analog Computers

Analog Computer is a computing device that works on continuous range of values. The results given by the analog computers will only be approximate since they deal with quantities that vary continuously

Digital Computers

On the other hand a digital computer operates on digital data such as numbers. It uses binary number system in which there are only two digits 0 and 1. Each one is called a bit. 

Hybrid Computers

A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and digital 
computers. It is mostly used for automatic operations of complicated physical 

processes and machines.

The four basic types of computers are as under based on Performance and Capacity

• Supercomputer
• Mainframe Computer
• Minicomputer
• Microcomputer

Supercomputer

The most powerful computers in terms of performance and data processing are the Supercomputers. These are specialized and task specific computers used by large organizations. These computers are used for research and exploration purposes, like NASA uses supercomputers for launching space shuttles, controlling them and for space exploration purpose.

The supercomputers are very expensive and very large in size. It can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms; some super computers can span an entire building.

Uses of a Supercomputer

In Pakistan Supercomputers are used by Educational Institutes like NUST for research purposes. Pakistan Atomic Energy commission & Heavy Industry Taxila uses supercomputers for Research purposes. 

Space Exploration

Supercomputers are used to study the origin of the universe, the dark-matters. For these studies scientist use IBM’s powerful supercomputer “Roadrunner” at National Laboratory Los Alamos.

Earthquake studies

Supercomputers are used to study the Earthquakes phenomenon. Besides that supercomputers are used for natural resources exploration, like natural gas, petroleum, coal, etc.

Weather Forecasting

Supercomputers are used for weather forecasting, and to study the nature and extent of Hurricanes, Rainfalls, windstorms, etc.

Nuclear weapons testing

Supercomputers are used to run weapon simulation that can test the Range, accuracy & impact of Nuclear weapons.   

Popular Supercomputers

• IBM’s Sequoia, in United States
• Fujitsu’s K Computer in Japan
• IBM’s Mira in United States
• IBM’s SuperMUC in Germany
• NUDT Tianhe-1A in China

Mainframe computer

Although Mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are quite expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government organizations uses Mainframes to run their business operations. The Mainframe computers can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms because of its size. Super-computers are the fastest computers with large data storage capacity, Mainframes can also process & store large amount of data. Banks educational institutions & insurance companies use mainframe computers to store data about their customers, students & insurance policy holders.

Popular Mainframe computers

• Fujitsu’s ICL VME
• Hitachi’s Z800

Minicomputer

Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms. Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange Computers”. These are small machines and can be accommodated on a disk with not as processing and data storage capabilities as super-computers & Mainframes. These computers are not designed for a single user. Individual departments of a large company or organizations use Mini-computers for specific purposes. For example, a production department can use Mini-computers for monitoring certain production process.

Popular Minicomputers

• K-202
• Texas Instrument TI-990
• SDS-92
• IBM Midrange computers

Microcomputer

Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets & smartphones are all types of microcomputers. The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest growing computers. These computers are the cheapest among the other three types of computers. The Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment, education and work purposes. Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony & Toshiba.

Desktop computers, Gaming consoles, Sound & Navigation system of a car, Netbooks, Notebooks, PDA’s, Tablet PC’s, Smartphones, Calculators are all type of Microcomputers.

Computer Impacts and Applications

Everyone knows that this is the age of computer and vast majority of people are using computer. Development of science and technology has direct effect on our daily life as well as in our social life. Computer technology has made communication possible from one part of the world to the other in seconds. They can see the transactions in one part of the world while staying in the other part. Computer development is one of the greatest scientific achievements of the twentieth century.

Application of Computer

Computers play a great role in the society. Whether at home, in school, at the mall or in the

office, computers significantly help in the accomplishment of various tasks. Be it at work or at

play, computers have undeniably been utilized to perform general or specific activities that enable life to be more convenient and worry-free. Some of the major computer application fields are listed below.

Computers in Business

In the field of business, computers are very useful. They are used in keeping records of daily sales and profits. Computers are also used to prepare materials to promote the products of the business establishments.

Computers in Engineering

Engineers use computers to create the design of a complex object using a computer program

for Computer-Aided Drafting.

Computers in the Government

Computers are used to keep records of the people that the government serves. Several

government agencies use computers to facilitate the task they are required to give to the

people.

Computers at Home

Computers are used at home for recreational purposes. You can listen to music, watch movies

and play games. Children use their computers at home to do their schoolwork. Parents use

computers to assist them in doing their daily tasks. If your computer at home has internet access, then you can explore the amazing features of the Internet in the comfort of your home.

Computers in Manufacturing

Computers are used in manufacturing to manipulate machine that perform dangerous tasks or

tasks that are repeatedly done.

Computers in School

Computer Education is one subject taught in schools today. Teachers use computers in

classroom instruction, in computing grades and in preparing visual aids. Students use

computers to study various computer applications. Libraries are connected to the Internet and

students access the internet to do research.

Computers in Science

Computers are used in science to stimulate experiments, which are dangerous to perform in

real life. Computers are also used to record data and information derived from experiments.

Computer in Air Travel

Small computers are installed as a part of the plane's equipment.

In addition computers are also used for recording and film studios, research, military, banking, telephones, medicine etc.

Impact of Computers

Computers have both positive and negative impact in our daily life as well as in our social life. But the gross development of the nation is faster with the application of computers in industries and education. The both positive and negative impacts of computers are listed below.

Positive Impact of Computer ;

• Any professional individual like doctors, engineers, businessmen etc. undergo a change in their style or working pattern after they get the knowledge of computer.
• An individual becomes more competent to take a decisions due to the computer because all the information required to take the decision is provided by the computer on time. As a result, any individuals or institutions get success very fast. 
• The person working at the managerial level becomes less dependent on low level staff like clerks and accountants. Their accessibility to the information increases tremendously. This improves their working patters and efficiency, which benefit the organization and ultimately affects the society positively. 
• In common life also, an individual gets benefited with computer technology. When airports, hospitals, banks, departmental stores have been computerized, people get quick service due to the computer system. 
• Computers have created new fields of employment. These employments are in the field of designing, manufacturing, teaching, etc.

Negative Impact of Computer ;

• Due to any reasons, if the data stored in the computer is lost, the person responsible for handling the computer will have to tolerate a lot. 
• People do not use their mind for common arithmetic, which gradually results in loss of their numerical ability. 
• Today, any person who does not have the knowledge of computer is considered the second class citizens. 
• People have fear that growing children may lose their common sense abilities like numerical ability due to total dependence on computers. 
• Due to the computerization workload for the employees reduces many times. As a result, many organization may require to remove some of its employees. It produces the dissatisfaction and lack of security among the employees. Due to this, employees do not corporate the organization. As a result, the output can be disastrous. 
• As a result of introduction of new technology in an organization, the organization may need to spend a tremendous amount on the training of its employees.