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Topmark Section 2 (page 1 of 2) - Types of Computer System
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| There are different types of computers used for different purposes. There are also various ways of setting up a computer system. This is known as configuring the system. Configuration means the working arrangement of the hardware |
| Mainframes are very large computers. They need lots of space, sometimes a whole room, and cost many hundreds of thousands of pounds to purchase. Major organisations like government departments, banks, supermarkets, health and utility bodies are the main users of mainframe computers. |
mainframe computer |
| These large computers can be used by many people at the same time. The processing is done at one location, the mainframe computer, and users can be at different locations. Each users' workstation is known as a terminal. Terminals are linked to the mainframe computer via a network. Thus a retail chain may have a mainframe to which all its EPOS terminals in each branch store are connected. The terminals are usually "dumb". That means they are merely input and output devices and have no processing power of their own. Sometimes terminals have additional local processing capabilities. These terminals are "intelligent." | |
| The largest mainframes, used for complicated computations in scientific work, are known as supercomputers. Such a computer is used in space programs. |
| Mini-computersare smaller versions of mainframes. Such a computer could support several terminals on a network. Users can multi-task. Mini-computers can also support several printers, and have large storage capacity. | network |
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This page was last revised 19 November 2001 |
