Computer and its Generations

Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is being used. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.

First Generation

The period of first generation was 1946-1959. The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit).

These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and were prone to frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and could be afforded only by very large organisations. In this generation mainly batch processing operating system were used.

Punched cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices. The computers in this generation used machine code as programming language.

The main features of first generation

Vacuum tube technology

Unreliable

Supported machine language only

Very costly

Generated lot of heat

Slow input and output devices

Huge size

Need of A.C.

Non-portable

Consumed lot of electricity

Some computers of this generation

ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM-701, IBM-650.

Second Generation

The period of second generation was 1959-1965. In this generation transistors were used that were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the first generation machines made of vacuum tubes.

In this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices.

In this generation assembly language and high-level programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and multiprogramming operating system.

The main features of second generation

Use of transistors

Reliable in comparison to first generation computers

Smaller size as compared to first generation computers

Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers

Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers

Faster than first generation computers

Still very costly

A.C. needed

Supported machine and assembly languages

Some computers of this generation

IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, UNIVAC 1108.

Third Generation

The period of third generation was 1965-1971. The computers of third generation used integrated circuits (IC's) in place of transistors.

A single IC has many transistors, resistors and capacitors along with the associated circuitry.

The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient. In this generation remote processing, time-sharing, multi-programming operating system were used.

High-level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.

The main features of third generation

IC used

More reliable in comparison to previous two generations

Smaller size

Generated less heat

Faster

Lesser maintenance

Still costly

A.C needed

Consumed lesser electricity

Supported high-level language

Some computers of this generation

IBM-360 series, Honeywell-6000 series, PDP(Personal Data Processor), IBM-370/168, TDC-316.

Fourth Generation

The period of fourth generation was 1971-1980. The computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.

VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements and their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have microcomputers of fourth generation.

Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to personal computer (PC) revolution.

In this generation time sharing, real time, networks, distributed operating system were used. All the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., were used in this generation.

The main features of fourth generation

VLSI technology used

Very cheap

Portable and reliable

Use of PC's

Very small size

Pipeline processing

No A.C. needed

Concept of internet was introduced

Great developments in the fields of networks

Computers became easily available

Some computers of this generation

DEC 10, STAR 1000, PDP 11, CRAY-1(Super Computer), CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)

Fifth Generation

The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, the VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components.

This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of making computers think like human beings.

All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.

AI includes

Robotics

Neural Networks

Game Playing

Development of expert systems to make decisions in real life situations.

Natural language understanding and generation.

The main features of fifth generation

ULSI technology

Development of true artificial intelligence

Development of Natural language processing

Advancement in Parallel Processing

Advancement in Superconductor technology

More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features

Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates

Some computer types of this generation

Desktop, Laptop, NoteBook, UltraBook, ChromeBook.

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Comments ( 4 )

  1. Naveen Kumar
    7 years ago
    quite a interesting fact with lots of good information
  2. MD Arfin
    4 years ago
    Thanks 😊
  3. Jikrul
    3 years ago
    Lots of interesting information.
  4. Tasawar Amin
    6 months ago
    Thanks alot