Hybrid Computer

Definition - What does Hybrid Computer mean?

A hybrid computer is a type of computer that offers the functionalities of both a digital and an analog computer. It is designed to include a working analog unit that is powerful for calculations, yet has a readily available digital memory. In large industries and businesses, a hybrid computer can be used to incorporate logical operations as well as provide efficient processing of differential equations.

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Techopedia explains Hybrid Computer

Hybrid computers are well known for their ability to blend analog and digital features of computers. Advantages include the availability of both analog and digital computations within a single unit and an efficient processing speed. A hybrid computer is individually designed and integrated, taking into consideration the field of its application and processing requirements. A hybrid computer is constructed in such a way that its components make the device fast and accurate.

However, a hybrid system is not the same as a hybrid computer; it is the physical machinery that defines whether a computer unit is hybrid or not, and hybrid systems typically only use analog-to-digital converters.