Assignment # 1
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Subject: IT
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Date: 22-03-2021
Q. Differentiate between Microcomputers, Midrange computers, Mainframes and
Supercomputers.
Ans: Microcomputers are sometimes referred to as PCs. They are small in size and reasonably
priced. They are based on microprocessor technology, which is a silicon chip that contains the
necessary circuitry to carry out operations. They are highly adaptable and intended for smallscale personal and enterprise use e.g. DELL and Apple MacBook’s. Midrange computers are
smaller, more compact, and less costly than high-end computers. These machines support
timesharing, batch processing, and internet processing. Midrange computers are
multiprocessing systems that can support up to 200 users at once, but their processing power is
not as high as that of mainframes and supercomputers. An example of midrange computer is
IBM System/3. Large amounts of data can be stored on mainframe computers. They are
massive in stature, memory, power, and cost. These machines can run multiple operating
systems concurrently and support time sharing and virtual memory. The primary distinction
between supercomputers and mainframes is that supercomputers have faster computation
speeds and are primarily used for space science and engineering challenges, i.e. data crunching,
while mainframe servers are used for transaction processing. Examples of mainframe
computers are IBM zSeries, System z9 etc. Supercomputers are the most powerful machines in
terms of processing and performance. They are difficult to design and necessitate collaborative
research and development. They are capable of performing complex mathematical calculations
and solving scientific problems e.g. CDC 6600 (the first ever supercomputer).
Q. Explain major uses of each type of computers
Ans: Microcomputers are primarily used in the business world for word processing, desktop
publishing, inventory management, and accounting software such as QuickBooks and
spreadsheets. Users at home use it to surf the internet or to play video games. A midrange
computer is often used as a server, which means it offers storage, processing power, and other
services to users connected to it through a network. They are intended for use in data
computerization, scientific research, industrial processes, data collection, and telephone
switches. Universities, banking institutions, stock exchanges, and insurance firms are some of
the organisations that use mainframe servers to store student data, ATM transactions, financial
transactions, and client and employee records. Large businesses largely use mainframe
computers for critical applications and bulk data processing. Supercomputers are capable of
solving massive mathematical calculations and science problems, which is why they are
referred to as number crunchers. They play an important role in computational science, and are
used for a broad range of computationally intensive tasks in a variety of fields such as quantum
mechanics, weather forecasting, and so on.
References:
https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/microcomputer#:~:text=In%2
0the%20workplace%2C%20microcomputers%20have,communications%20and%20datab
ase%20management%20systems.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/midrange-computers-definition-software.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainframe_computer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer#:~:text=Supercomputers%20play%20an%
20important%20role,the%20structures%20and%20properties%20of
http://studylecturenotes.com/types-ofcomputer/#:~:text=Mainframe%20computers%20can%20store%20huge%20amount%20
of%20data.&text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20supercomputer,are%20u
sed%20for%20transaction%20process.
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