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In this fast-paced world, computers have become a necessity. We are dependent on computers
to a great extent. Their invention has made our lives easier as they help us carry out several tasks, CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS
be it making an airline reservation or paying electricity bills, making railway reservations, online
bank transactions, etc. Nowadays, different types of computers are used that can be categorised on their type, size,
speed, processing power and price. Let us learn about these categories in detail.
In this chapter, we will learn about categories of computers. Let us recall the journey of computers
through different generations. 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.
EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS
Analog Computer
The evolution of computers has been classified into generations. Let us learn about them in detail.
It refers to a computer that operates by measuring instead of counting.
FIRST GENERATION (VACUUM TUBE-BASED COMPUTERS) It measures the continuously changeable physical quantities like voltage,
The first generation computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry, and magnetic drums for pressure, water flow, etc. This type of computer generally displays the
memory. They were as large in size as the space of a room. output in the form of a graph. Examples of analog computers are
mercury thermometers, speedometers in cars, old radios, etc.
SECOND GENERATION (TRANSISTOR-BASED COMPUTERS)
Digital Computer
In the 1960s, transistor-based computers replaced vacuum tubes, marking them the second
generation of computers. The transistors were far superior to vacuum tubes which allowed the It refers to a computer that uses digits (binary numbers 0’s and 1’s) to generate,
computer to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more efficient and reliable. These were also the process and display data. The results produced by digital computers are
first computers that stored instructions in their memory which moved from a magnetic drum to more accurate than that of analog computers. All the modern computers
magnetic core technology. that we use like desktops, laptops and smartphones are examples of digital
computers. Some other examples of digital computers are digital watches,
THIRD GENERATION (INTEGRATED CIRCUIT-BASED COMPUTERS) digital thermometers, electricity meters, etc.
This generation of computers weres built using integrated circuits. Small transistors were placed on Hybrid Computer
silicon chips called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
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
FOURTH GENERATION (MICROPROCESSOR-BASED COMPUTERS)
speed of an analog computer and the accuracy of a digital computer. This
In this generation, computers used components like the microprocessor, where micro refers to type of computer is generally used in scientific research and specialised
the physical size of the component. A microprocessor is an integrated chip on which the entire applications. The heartbeat measuring machine is a common example of
CPU (Control Unit and ALU) is fabricated.
a hybrid computer.
PURE SIZE, SPEED, PROCESSING AND COST
FACT The first microprocessor chip Intel 4004 was introduced by Intel in 1971. On the basis of size, speed, processing and cost, computers can be categorised as follows:
Microcomputers
FIFTH GENERATION (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE)
Microcomputers were earlier termed personal computers. A personal computer consists of a
The development of fifth generation computers is underway. What sets this generation of computers CPU, computer memory (primary and secondary), input and output devices. There are various
apart is the infusion of artificial intelligence. Developers are aiming at building computers that microcomputers available nowadays. Let us discuss about them.
are capable of organising themselves.
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