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    FIFTH GENERATION (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE)

                     The development of fifth generation computers is underway. What sets this generation
                     of computers apart is the infusion of artificial intelligence. Developers are aiming at
                     building computers that are capable of organising themselves.

                               CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS

                     Nowadays, different types of computers are used that can be categorised on their type,
                     size, speed, processing power and cost. Let us learn about these categories in detail.

                     TYPE
                     On the basis of their type, computers can be classified into three categories, which are

                     analog, digital and hybrid computers. Let us learn about them.

                     Analog Computer

                     It refers  to  a computer  that  operates  by  measuring  instead  of
                     counting.  It measures the continuously  changeable  physical
                     quantities  like  voltage,  pressure, water flow,  etc.  This type  of

                     computer  generally displays  the  output  in the  form of a graph.
                     Examples  of  analog computers  are mercury thermometers,
                     speedometers in cars, analog radios, etc.

                                             Digital Computer
                                             It refers to a computer that uses digits (binary numbers 0’s and

                                             1’s) to generate, process  and display  data.  The results produced
                                             by digital  computers  are more accurate  than that  of analog
                                             computers. All the modern computers that we use, like desktops,
                                             laptops and smartphones are examples of digital computers. Some

                                             other examples of digital  computers  are digital  watches, digital
                                             thermometers, electricity meters, etc.

                     Hybrid Computer
                     It refers to a computer that provides the functionality of both an
                     analog and a digital  computer  while processing and displaying

                     data. It uses the speed of an analog computer and the accuracy
                     of a digital  computer.  This type  of computer  is generally used  in
                     scientific research and specialised applications. The ECG or medical
                     diagnostic machine is a common example of a hybrid computer.

                                                                                             Fundamentals of Computer  9

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