Definition and types of Computer

 COMPUTER

The word "computer" comes from the word compute which means to calculate. A computer is an electronic device that can perform a variety of operations according to a set of instructions called program. It then displays or print the result. A computer is an equipment designed to automatically accept and store data, manipulate them, and produce output results under the direction of a detailed step-by-step stored program of instructions.

The two basic types of computers are the following:
(a) Analog Computers
(b) Digital Computers

 Analog Computers

Analog computers handle or process information which is of a physical nature, for example, temperature, pressure, etc. These are based on the measuring of analog or equivalent physical value.

Types of Computers

Digital Computers

Digital computers process information which is essentially in a binary or two-state form, namely zero and one. When talking about computers, we mostly refers to the digital type of electronic machines.

 Digital computers fall into ranges called microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes and supercomputers, classified in ascending order of size-small, medium, large and very large.