Computer:
Computer is an electric device which can process data at very high speed. Computers can be classified into various categories based on their use, size, function and internal processing.
Classification According to Internal Processing:
According to internal processing computers can be classified into three main types namely digital computers, analog computers and hybrid computers.
1. Digital Computers:
A digital computer represents data in the form of discrete numbers and processes data using the standard arithmetic operations. The hand calculator, the adding machine and the punched card data processing equipment are the examples of digital computer.
2. Analog Computers:
An analog computer measures continuous types
of data and uses a physical quantity, such as electric current to represent and process the data. A household thermostat and electricity meter are examples of elementary analog computers.
3. Hybrid Computers:
A hybrid computer is one with both digital and analog devices. The electronic calculating scale as uses in food stores, ECG machine and Photostat machine are the examples of hybrid computers.
Classification According to Use:
According to uses computers can be classified into two categories namely special purpose computers and general purpose computers.
1. Special Purpose Computers: