A computer may be defined as an electronic device that accepts data as input, processes the data into information, stores and allows the retrieval of the processed data, and outputs those results in a form that is usable by humans or other computers.
The computer performs four (4) basic operations:
Microcomputers also called personal computers (PC) are single-user systems. This category ranges in size from the small palmtop to the considerably larger super-microcomputers (workstations).
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Minicomputers are more powerful than microcomputers and can support a number of users performing different tasks. They are sometimes called mid-range computers because their capabilities lie between those of the mainframes and personal computers. They were originally developed to perform specific tasks such as engineering calculations. The most powerful �minis� are called super-minicomputers.
Mainframe computers are large systems that can handle numerous users, store large amounts of data and process transactions at a very high rate. They are used in large organizations where many people must access the same data, often simultaneously. Each user accesses the mainframe through a terminal that consists of a monitor and at least one input device. Mainframes usually require a specialized environment including a separate air conditioning and electrical power.
Supercomputers are the largest, most powerful category of computers and consequently the most expensive. These systems are able to process hundreds of millions of instructions per second. They are used for such applications s weather forecasting, space exploration, genetic engineering and other jobs requiring long, complex calculations.
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