Types of Computer

 On the basis of data handling capabilities, the computer is of three types:

• Analogue Computer
• Digital Computer
• Hybrid Computer

 Analogue Computer

Analogue computers are designed to process analogue data. Analogue data is continuous data that changes continuously and cannot have discrete values. We can say that analogue computers are used where we don't need exact values always such as speed, temperature, pressure and current.

Digital Computer

Digital computer is designed to perform calculations and logical operations at high speed. It accepts the raw data as input in the form of digits or binary numbers (0 and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to produce the output. All modern computers like laptops, desktops including smartphones that we use at home or office are digital computers.

Hybrid Computer

Hybrid computer has features of both analogue and digital computer. It is fast like an analogue computer and has memory and accuracy like digital computers. It can process both continuous and discrete data. It accepts analogue signals and convert them into digital form before processing. So, it is widely used in specialized applications where both analogue and digital data is processed. For example, a processor is used in petrol pumps that converts the measurements of fuel flow into quantity and price. Similarly, they are used in airplanes, hospitals, and scientific applications.

Advantages of using hybrid computers:

• Its computing speed is very high due to the all-parallel configuration of the analogue subsystem.
• It produces precise and quick results that are more accurate and useful.
• It has the ability to solve and manage big equation in real-time.
• It helps in the on-line data processing.

Difference between Analog Computer and Digital Computer :

S.No.	ANALOG COMPUTER	DIGITAL COMPUTER
01.	Analog computers works with continuous values or these types of systems process continuous data.	Digital computers works with discrete values or these types of systems process discrete data.
02.	Speed of analog computers is less than the digital computers.	Speed of digital computers is more than the analog computers.
03.	Analog computer has very low or limited memory and it can store less amount of data.	Digital computer has very big memory it can store large amount of data.
04.	Analog computer has no state.	Digital computer h .as On and Off these 2 steps.
05.	Analog computers are less reliable than digital computers.	Digital computers are more reliable than analog computers.
06.	Its performance is comparatively low.	Its performance is very high.
07.	Its speed of processing is not so high.	Its speed of processing is very high.
08.	Analog computers depends upon physical variations.	Digital computers does not depend upon physical variations.
09.	It provides results with less accuracy as compared to digital computers.	It provides results with higher accuracy as compared to analog computers.
10.	Analog computers are difficult to use.	Digital computers are not so difficult to use.
11.	Analog computers have complex architecture.	Digital computers do not have so complex architecture like analog computers.
12.	Readability of analog computer is low.	Readability of digital computer is high.
13.	Analog computers show the result in terms of voltage signals.	Digital computers show the result in computer display screen.
14.	Analog computers employs analog encoding.	Digital computers employs digital encoding.
15.	Power consumption is high.	Power consumption is low.
16.	They are usually special purpose devices.	It can be general purpose devices.
17.	Examples includes analog clock and thermometer etc.	Examples includes Digital laptop, digital camera, digital watches etc.