Types of Computer

1. On the basis of Work

Analog Computer

An analog computer is one that measures physical values such as temperature, pressure. For example a service station gasoline pump contains an analog processor and analog device that converts fuel flow measurement into quantity and price values. The term analog computer is derived from a Greek word analog. Speedometer in cars is another example of an analog computer.

Digital Computer

A digital computer is one that directly counts numbers or digits that present number letter or other special symbol. Digital computer does not measure the distance or does not measure how many liter of petrol are taken or what is the pressure of compression etc. Digital Computers are the most used computer for report, documentations, billing & other graphical work. The entire PC used today on different fields is the microcomputers.

Hybrid Computers

There are the computers, which work on digital as well as analog computer type. Accuracy of hybrid computer are combined on these computers mad the hybrid computer. These are used on Intensive Care Unit of Hospital, jet planes & other data analyst terminal. Hybrid computer transfer the data from analog to digital and digital to analog & vice versa.

Comparison between Analog, Digital & Hybrid Computer

Analog Computer

• A computer that uses analog signal to display information is called analog computer.
• Information in continuous form and displayed in the form of curves. It is used to measure continuous physical quantity like as current flow, temperatures, blood pressure, heartbeats.
• Fast
• Less Accurate
• Special Purpose
• Noisy
• Not use for programming
• No memory storage

Digital Computer

• Computers that use binary digits to display discrete information is called digital computer.
• Information is in discrete form. It displays information in the form of text, graphics and pictures.
• Slow
• Accurate
• General Purpose
• Less Noisy
• Use for Programming
• Storage Memory

Hybrid Computer

• A computer that is able to understand binary as well as analog signal to display information is called Hybrid computers.
• Information depends on operating mode of computers. It can display information in discrete and continuous form because it’s one part is dedicated for digital processing and next part is for analog processing.
• Intermediate in speed
• Intermediate Special Purpose
• Noise depend on computer
• Programming depend on computer
• Memory depend on computer