Don't Miss! The Difference Between Analog And Digital Computer
Computers are an inevitable part of modern life. From a five-year-old child to an eighty-year-old person, everyone uses computers for day-to-day activities. But did you know there is a long history and evolution of computers behind this? Much before digital and hybrid computers, people used analog computers. It is interesting to learn the key difference between analog and digital computers. Moreover, it will help you compete with others by making your fundamental knowledge of computer science topics stronger.
In this article, we have simplified the history of the digital evolution of computers. The article will briefly describe an analog and a digital computer. Then, you will be introduced to the difference between analog computer and digital computer. Although becoming a computer science guru is tough, we will surely make you capable of understanding how computers evolved and where this evolution might be headed!
From Analog to Digital Computers
Computers are broadly classified into three major categories. These are:
- Analog Computers
- Digital Computers
- Hybrid Computers
Analog computers were widely used during the 1950s-1960s. They basically operate on mathematical variables and were not as efficient in accepting high-level computing problems. On the other hand, the world welcomed digital computers in the 1980s and 1990s, which worked on the binary number system of 0 and 1. They used a simple mechanism of input, processing, and output. Digital computers were also capable of storing large amounts of memory.
Now let’s plunge deeper into analog and digital computers and see how they have come to redefine our interaction with the digital world.
Analog Computer
An analog computer is a device in which continuously variable physical quantities are represented to match the corresponding quantities in the problem to be solved. These variable physical quantities could be fluid pressure, mechanical motion, or electrical potential. To facilitate this, the analog system is organized according to the initial conditions, and a scope is left for these conditions to be changed. In this way, the answer to the problem is determined by measuring the variables in the analog model.
It was first developed by William Thomson in 1873. Later, A.A. Michaelson and S.W. Stratton made further developments by adding more complex features to the prototype. For instance, the harmonic analyzer, developed in 1898, carried 80 components. Each of these components could be used for generating sinusoidal motion, which could be multiplied by constant factors by the adjustment of a fulcrum on levers. Again in the 1930s, Vannevar Bush invented a differential analyzer that could be used for solving differential equations with the help of mechanical integrators. In this way, it can be seen that analog computers could be customized to solve various problems.
Analog computers saw further advancements when they began to be used for critical purposes. By the late 20th century, analog computers began to be used for simulating dynamic systems. Moreover, with the developments in advanced weaponry and the industrial sector, one could find analog computers used in nuclear power plants, aircraft, and industrial chemical processes. This growth was accelerated by electronic analog computers, which used a device called an operational amplifier. The device allowed establishing output current that was proportional to its input potential difference.
Did you know?
Even today, we are familiar with several examples of analog computers. For instance, everyday items such as an analog clock, a speedometer, tide predictors, and flight stimulators, are analog computers. Along with this, we have plainmeters, electrical integrators, operational amplifiers, and nanograms, which are also analog computers.
The era of analog computers came to an end by the 1970s, when there was a need for more powerful and faster computers. This gave birth to digital computers, which could compensate for the shortcomings of analog computers. Let’s learn about digital computers. It will better highlight the difference between analog and digital computers.
Digital Computer
A digital computer is a device that breaks down critical information into discrete units to solve complex problems. The most potent tool of a digital computing device is the binary number system: 0 and 1. Apart from this, it also employs letters, symbols, and magnitudes for executing complex operations. With the help of these methods, digital computers can perform tasks involving controlling heavy machinery, analyzing and organizing data, and even simulating complex systems.
There are four main functional elements in a digital computer. These are:
- Input-output equipment
- Main memory
- Control unit
- Arithmetic-logic unit
Along with these functional elements, there are input devices, such as a keyboard, and mouse. The results are displayed on computer displays. Then, we have the main storage or auxiliary devices. These storage devices are crucial, as it is from them that the control unit retrieves memory and uses it during different units. Hence, a digital computer is an amalgamation of different functional elements and peripheral devices.
The development of a digital computer peaked after 1939 when John V. Atanasoff built the first electronic digital computer. However, it was Howard Aiken’s Harvard Mark 1 that is considered a breakthrough in the world of digital computing. Harvard Mark 1, built at International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, used electric relays to control data-processing operations. It paved the way for more advanced technology, involving complicated procedures.
Did you know?
Today, we have tons of examples of digital computers, such as a calculator, digital clocks, a smartphone, personal computers, weighing machines, digital cameras, and ATM machines.
Now, we know how analog and digital computers evolved. Let us now move on to understanding the difference between analog and digital computer.
Difference Between Analog and Digital Computer
Some major points of difference between analog and digital computer are as follows:
|
Analog Computer |
Digital Computer |
|
Analog computers consist of various individual components, and the overall accuracy of analog devices depends on whether it is a visual observation or output. The accuracy is affected by various factors. |
Digital computing systems use fixed voltage levels, represented by binary numbers so that the accuracy of the whole system is not affected by individual components of the digital device. In other words, the input is converted into digital form to solve the problem. |
|
Analog computers provide continuous values to represent physical quantities in the form of waves or continuous forms. Hence, the analog signal is a continuous signal. |
Digital computers provide discrete values to represent physical quantities using symbols or numbers. Digital signals are time-separated. |
|
These computers have a more complicated interface than digital computers. |
Digital computers have a less complicated interface than analog computers. |
|
When this computer functions, there are no more variations in the input variables. |
When a digital computer functions, receives and calculates data, it converts the data and signals into a binary code of 0 and 1. |
|
Analog computers are used in special applications such as flight computers for airplanes, ships, and submarines. They are also used in refrigerators, speedometers for your bicycle, measurement of water pressure, etc. |
Digital computers are used in spacecraft, factories, healthcare systems, telecommunications, banks, many household works, on-off switches, digital thermometers, etc. |
|
In an analog computer, the data is transmitted and supported by a continuous signal. |
In a digital computer, the data is transmitted in binary form without the help of a discrete signal. |
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This type of computer doesn't have memory capacity. |
This type of computer has a large memory capacity and can store very large amounts of data. |
|
This type of computer needs a constant energy source. |
These computers need discrete energy sources that provide discrete signals of electricity. |
|
Maintenance of these computers is very hard and costly. |
Maintenance of these computers is easy and cheap instead to analog computers. |
|
These computers are very large in size. So, we need a lot of space for its installations. |
Digital computers are small in size. There is no need for a large space for its installation. Even we can carry some of these computers, like a laptop and smartphone, or bag. |
|
These types of computers are special-purpose devices. |
Basically, these computers are general-purpose devices. |
|
In these computers, analog encoding is used. |
In these computers, digital encoding is used. |
|
The results are displayed in the form of a voltage signal that can be read from a connected meter. |
The results are displayed on a screen, monitor, or LCD. |
|
A digital computer stores all data as numbers and performs arithmetical operations on that data. |
Analog computers use certain physical phenomena, such as electrical voltage, to simulate various phenomena and perform operations, directly modifying stored data. |
| Analog computers depend on physical variation. |
Digital computers do not depend on physical variation. |
So here, we tried to present the difference between analog and digital computer. We learned that analog computers were early-age computers that were designed to perform specialized but limited operations. Analog computers use a continuous signal to process information. Moreover, the results from an analog computer are displayed in the form of a voltage signal that can be accessed from a connected meter. As opposed to this, a digital computer uses discrete signals to undertake operations. You need a digital screen to display results on a digital computer.
These were some of the major difference between analog and digital computer. Hope hope you found this article informative. Stay tuned to Unstop for more articles that make your college journey smooth.
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