Types of Digital Computer

What is Digital Computer ?

Digital Computer is a machine or a device that helps to process any kind of information.

These are the devices through which we provide some input and get the output within a fraction of seconds.

The operations that are conducted internally in the device happen using the binary number system since the computer understands only digits ie 0’s and 1’s.

All the content that is written in English will be converted to binary language and thus computers and humans communicate with each other.

Some of the basic examples of digital devices are Personal computers, Desktops, Laptops, Smartphones, and Mobile.

There are mainly three parts in a digital computer and it consists of –

1. Input: The user normally provides the data to the device that is known as input.
2. Processing: The input that is provided by the user is processed internally using some defined sequence.
3. Output: Once the processing is completed, based on the input, the output is displayed to the user.

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Different types of Digital Computer

1. Supercomputer
2. Mainframe computer
3. Minicomputer
4. Microcomputer

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Supercomputer

Supercomputers are very expensive and the world’s fastest computers are available.

These computers have thousands of processors that perform trillions of calculations per second and hence the fastest known ever.

Supercomputers are used extensively in enterprises and organizations that require massive calculations.

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Mainframe computer

Mainframe computers are generally large size computers mainly used for storing large amounts of data and processing. It is known for its high level of reliability.

These machines are used by an organization that requires crucial applications such as census, customer statistics for large calculations which require a high volume of data processing.

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Mini Computer

Minicomputers are known as mid-range computers that contain one or more processors.

They support multiprocessing which means these multiple processors share the same computer memory and other required peripheral devices to perform the given task.

Minicomputers are generally used for processing transactions, file handling, managing database.

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Micro Computer

A Microcomputer is not really expensive and it comes with a microprocessor as its Central processing unit and input/output devices.

These computers are generally called personal computers and a few of the examples are IBM pc, Apple, Dell.

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Advantages and disadvantages of Digital/Analog computer

The main advantage of Digital computers is that they can store loads of data and it is very accurate.

Analog computer is quick and hence fastest. Digital computers are comparatively slower than Analog and this is the main disadvantage.

Analog computers store fewer data and hence digital computers are great for memory is considered.

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Features of Digital computer

1. Good Memory – Digital computers can store a large number of data and can retrieve data in a fraction of second. The data can be stored for any duration and retrieved anytime.
2. Very Flexible – These computers can perform multi-tasking without any human interference and hence they are very flexible and versatile.
3. Automatic – These devices once started are automatic. They do not need any intervention until required by the task specifically.
4. Good Speed – Digital computers are high in speed and carry out all the operations with very fast speed.
5. Accurate – These devices help in storing all the information which helps in retrieving accurate data at any point in a given time.

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Components of Digital Computer

A digital computer has the following basic components –

Input device

C.P.U

Output Device