Analog Computers Analog Computer is a computing device that works on
continuous range of values. The results given by the analog computers will only be
approximate since they deal with quantities that vary continuously. It generally
deals with physical variables such as voltage, pressure, temperature, speed, etc
On the other hand a digital computer operates on digital data such as numbers. It
uses binary number system in which there are only two digits 0 and 1. Each one is
called a bit. The digital computer is designed using digital circuits in which there are
two levels for an input or output signal. These two levels are known as logic 0 and
logic 1. Digital Computers can give more accurate and faster results. Digital
computer is well suited for solving complex problems in engineering and technology.
Hence digital computers have an increasing use in the field of design, research and
data processing.
A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and digital computers.
It is mostly used for automatic operations of complicated physical processes and
machines. Now-adays analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are used for
transforming the data into suitable form for either type of computation. For exaŵple,
iŶ hospital’s ICU, aŶalog devices ŵight ŵeasure the patients temperature, blood
pressure and other vital signs. These measurements which are in analog might then
be converted into Numbers and supplied to digital components in the system. These
coŵpoŶeŶts are used to ŵoŶitor the patieŶt’s vital sigŶ aŶd seŶd signals if any
abnormal readings are detected. Hybrid computers are mainly used for specialized
tasks
