In order to define what an electronic computer is, it is necessary to classify all computing devices. The following sections introduce several different classification methods. These classifications must be used together to accurately describe a specific electronic computer.
[edit] Classification by purpose
This is the most obvious classification. Manufacturers of electronic computers often use this method to describe their products; users use the same method to describe the machines with which they communicate. For example:
Supercomputer
Small Supercomputer
Supercomputer
Mainframe Computer
Enterprise Application Server< /p>
Small Computer
Workstation
Personal Computer or Desktop
Laptop or Notebook
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
Wearable Computer
The classification by use is very popular, but it also leads to its uncertainty, because only currently widely used devices are included. The rapid development of electronic computers means that new uses are constantly emerging and current definitions quickly become obsolete. Many types of electronic computers that are no longer in use, such as differential analyzers, are not usually classified. Therefore, other classification methods must be used to clearly define the term electronic computer.
Minicomputer is a traditional name for Chinese users (refers to a high-performance computer whose operating principle is similar to PC (personal computer) and server, but whose performance and uses are different from them. It It is a high-performance computing product first developed by DCE (Digital Equipment Corporation) in the 1970s. Generally refers to server products that are between PC servers and mainframes and have 8-way to 32-way processor capabilities.
A minicomputer is a closed dedicated computer system. Generally, the processor, I/O bus, network card, display card, SCSI card and software of each manufacturer's minicomputer are specially designed, as well as various Manufacturer's patented technology. So generally it cannot be used universally.
Minicomputer users generally want to take advantage of the security and reliability of the minicomputer's Unix operating system and the high-speed computing capabilities of dedicated servers.
The CPU used in minicomputers is generally based on RISC (such as IBM's POWER), which is different from CISC-based CPUs (such as Intel's x86).
Minicomputers generally use Unix-based operating systems. Such as IBM's AIX, SUN's Solaris
The main manufacturers of minicomputers are IBM, HP, SUN, Inspur, Sugon, etc. Specific models include RS/6000, AS/400, etc.