Theory question 103
Classification of ComputersPaper 2, Section A: Short-structured questions
(a) (i) State three ways of classifying computers. (ii) Differentiate between digital and analog computers. (b) List three positive impacts of ICT on the society. (c) Give two types of information transmission medium.
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(a)(i) By size (super, mainframe, mini, micro); by type/data handled (analogue, digital, hybrid); by purpose (general purpose, special purpose).
(ii) A digital computer works with discrete values (digits 0 and 1) and gives exact results; an analogue computer works with continuously changing quantities (e.g. temperature, speed) and measures rather than counts.
(b) Any three: faster and cheaper communication; e-learning; e-banking and e-commerce; better health care; job creation; easy access to information; entertainment.
(c) Wired (guided), e.g. cables, fibre optics; wireless (unguided), e.g. radio waves, satellite.
Digital counts, analogue measures.