Three Types of Computers

There are three types of computers: digital, analog and hybrid. They differ from one another in terms of operating principles, equipment design and application.

The analog computer operates on data represented by continuously varying qualities. The following principal units make up an analog computer: a calculating device, a controlling device, a generator, a plug board, an output device. Capable of solving ordinary differential equations, the analog computer is well suited for use in systems engineering. Another common application is the analysis of networks, such as those for electric-power distribution. This type of computers is widely used in automation. Although common in engineering since the 1920s analog computers are not general-purpose computers

The whole class of analog computers may be simply divided into differential analyzers and simulators. A differential analyzer is a device for solving differential equations. A simulator is an electrical or electro-mechanical model of a dynamic system so designed that measurement on the model gives useful information about the system. The analog computer is designed to process data in which the variable quantities vary continuously. Because of this feature analog computers were especially useful in the simulation and evaluation of dynamic situations such as the flight of a space capsule or the changing weather patterns over a certain area.

Unlike the analog computer the digital computer works with data as the digits of the binary code. It counts, lists, compares, and rearranges these binary digits or bits of data in accordance with very detailed program instructions stored within its memory.

Modern digital computers are made up of the following components:a central processing unit (CPU), input devices, memorystorage device, output devices, a communication network, called a “ bus ” that links all the elements of the system and connects the system to the external word.

Digital computers can be programmed to perform electronic data processing. They are widely used in the solution of the problems of science, engineering, business. This use is based on their ability to operate at a great speed, to produce accurate results, to store large quantities of information and to carry out a long sequence of operations without human intervention.

The hybrid computer combines the characteristics and advantages of analog and digital systems; it offers greater precision than the former and more control capability than the latter. Equipped with special conversion devices it utilizes both analog and discrete representation of data.

Words to be remembered:

application – застосування

analog computer – аналоговий комп’ютер

differential equation – диференціальне рівняння

network – мережа

distribution – розподіл

digital computer – цифровий комп`ютер

to rearrange – переставляти

external world – зовнішній світ

1. Read and translate into Ukrainian the following English phrases:

Mainframe computer, memory capacity, to perform calculations, to process information, input-output devices, software and hardware, to solve equations, analog computer, digital computer, external world, character of a text.

2. Read and translate into English the following Ukrainian phrases:

Як наслідок, універсальна обчислювальна машина, цифровий комп’ютер, розв’язувати рівняння, аналоговий комп’ютер, програмне та апаратне забезпечення, символ тексту, обсяг пам’яті, пристрої вводу-виводу, зовнішній світ.

3. Make up sentences using the given words:

1. Through, analog, performs, the, varying, interaction, an, computer,

physical, of, continuously, quantities, calculations.

2. In, similar, calculus, analog, and, computers, specialize, problems,

mathematical, differential.

3. Be, main, special-purpose, and, all, classified, computers, may,

two, general-purpose, into, types, analog.

4. Computers, is, digital, of, the, one, computer, the, electronic, types, of.

5. To, analog, designed, in, variable, continuously, which, computer,

the, vary, data, the, quantities, is, process.

W R I T I N G

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30