Capacity of a computer refers to the volume of data that a computer system can process. Previously a computers size was an indication of its capacity. With the current state of miniaturization, measurement of capacity is based on throughput of the computer. Throughput is the amount of processing that can be performed in a given amount of time based on throughput computer systems can be divided into four major categories.
1) Microcomputers
2) Minicomputers
3) Mainframe computers and
4) Supercomputers
Microcomputers are microprocessor based small laptop or desktop or notebook systems with varying capability. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are very small portable computers. PDAs are also known as palouns computers. The brain of a microcomputer is the microprocessor. It is a silicon chip containing necessary circuits to perform arithmetic/logic operations and to control input/output operations. A microprocessor is an integrated circuit (ic) which generally contain millions of transistors squeezed onto a tiny chip of silicon. A microcomputer system is formed by adding input/output capability and memory to the microprocessor.
Early microcomputers had limited processing power and limited choice of input/output devices. Present day microcomputers have wider processing capabilities and they support a wife range of input/output devices. Today microcomputers are available with a selection of input/output devicesq varying from a cassette recorder to a voice synthesizer. In addition to general-purpose computations, microcomputers are also used for special purpose applications in automobiles, airplanes, toys, clocks, appliances etc.
Workstation :
High end microcomputers are known as workstations. The workstation represents the bridge between the microcomputers and minicomputers. It is a microcomputer with many of the capabilities of larger minicomputers but costing much less. Initially it was designed for use by engineers and designers who need exceptionally powerful processing and output capabilities. Present day microcomputers have wider processing capabilities and they support a wife range of input/output devices. Today microcomputers are available with a selection of input/output devicesq varying from a cassette recorder to a voice synthesizer. In addition to general-purpose computations, microcomputers are also used for special purpose applications in automobiles, airplanes, toys, clocks, appliances etc.
Servers:
Servers are not designed to be used directly. They make programs and data available for users having access to a computer network. A computer network is a collection of computers connected together.
Clients :
To use servers, users run desktop programs called clients, which know how to contact the server and obtain information from the server. Use of desktop clients and centralized servers iq called client computing.
Terminals :
Although terminals look like the personal computers, they have some limitations when compared whith personal computers. Terminals have only a screen and a keyboard and the electronics that allow them to communicate with the computer to which they are connected. Because they lack the ability to process data on their own, they are called dumb terminals. There is a variety of dumb terminals that can perform limited processing. These are called smart terminals. A personal computer is an example of a smart terminal.
Minicomputers :
A minicomputer system performs the basic arithmetic and logic functions and supports some of the programming languages used with large computer systems.
They are physically smaller, less expensive, and have small storage capacity compared to mainframes. Minicomputers are ideally suited for processing tasks that do not require accesss to huge unutodr of stored data. As a result of low cost, ease of operation and versatility, minicomputers have gained rapid acceptance since their introduction in the mid-sixties. Some of the larger and expensive minicomputers are capable of supporting a number of terminals in a time shared mode. Use of minicomputers are gradually being diminished with the rapid development of microcompuers.
Mainframe Computers :
A larger computer generally consists of modules mounted on a chassis and is known as a mainframe computer. They vary in size, from those slightly larger than a minicomputer to supercomputers. Mainframe computers. Some of these are : greater processing sped, greater storage capacity, a larger variety of input/output devices, support for a number of high-speed storage devices.
multiprogramming, and time sharing. Owing to tremendous expense, a mainframe computer system must be operated efficiently. Operating a mainframe at the required level of efficiency requiredr a very large and highly trained staff. Mainframe computers are generally used by a large businesses, universities, governmental agencies, and the military. These systems are often coupled with other computer systems in a large network to provide enormous computing power. This is referred to as a distributed data processing system.
Supercompuers :
A very large and very powerful mainframe computer is called a supercomputer. The astronomical cost of supercomputers has limited their development to only a few hundred worldwide. The cray x -mp is an example of a supercomputer. Such supercomputers are applied to the solution of very complex and sophisticated scientific problems and for national security purposes of some advanced nations.
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