According to online sources, there are three types of computers, which can be identified by the type of data that they manage. The types are analogue, digital and hybrid computers.
• Analogue computers
Analogue computers handle types of data that are similar to each other. For example, they are useful in establishing and measuring the relationship between two variables. This means that analogue computers are frequently used in science and scientific studies. Analogue computers can produce graphs and charts, and can also work with any number - meaning that they can perform using fractions and huge or irrational numbers. Analogue computers can also perform simulations of the data they are handling - for example, analogue computers can show a bouncing ball if that is related to the data the computer is processing.
• Digital computers
Digital computers allow data to be created, stored and recalled over an indefinite period of time. They work with data in the form of addition - that is, they take two separate values and add them together, whereas analogue computers work with continual values, like those on a sliding scale. As a result, digital computers produce more accurate results and are favored in environments such as business management. Everything within a digital computer is represented through a binary code, meaning that the presence or absence of a particular symbol is representative of an aspect of data within the computer.
• Hybrid computers
Hybrid computers were designed in order to combine the best aspects of analogue and digital computers, hence the name "hybrid". Hybrid computers can provide accuracy like that of a digital computer, but can also allow for measurement and projection like an analogue computer can. Hybrid computers are also very fast, as they are able to compute and complete even the most complicated of equations on a time-scale measured in nano-seconds.
• Analogue computers
Analogue computers handle types of data that are similar to each other. For example, they are useful in establishing and measuring the relationship between two variables. This means that analogue computers are frequently used in science and scientific studies. Analogue computers can produce graphs and charts, and can also work with any number - meaning that they can perform using fractions and huge or irrational numbers. Analogue computers can also perform simulations of the data they are handling - for example, analogue computers can show a bouncing ball if that is related to the data the computer is processing.
• Digital computers
Digital computers allow data to be created, stored and recalled over an indefinite period of time. They work with data in the form of addition - that is, they take two separate values and add them together, whereas analogue computers work with continual values, like those on a sliding scale. As a result, digital computers produce more accurate results and are favored in environments such as business management. Everything within a digital computer is represented through a binary code, meaning that the presence or absence of a particular symbol is representative of an aspect of data within the computer.
• Hybrid computers
Hybrid computers were designed in order to combine the best aspects of analogue and digital computers, hence the name "hybrid". Hybrid computers can provide accuracy like that of a digital computer, but can also allow for measurement and projection like an analogue computer can. Hybrid computers are also very fast, as they are able to compute and complete even the most complicated of equations on a time-scale measured in nano-seconds.