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GENARATION OF COMPUTER 1

The document outlines the five generations of computers, detailing the technological advancements from vacuum tubes in the first generation to artificial intelligence in the fifth generation. Each generation is characterized by significant improvements in size, speed, efficiency, and user interaction, evolving from batch processing to modern computing capabilities. The fifth generation is focused on developing computers that can process natural language and utilize advanced technologies like quantum computation.

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sanket47sharma
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26 views11 pages

GENARATION OF COMPUTER 1

The document outlines the five generations of computers, detailing the technological advancements from vacuum tubes in the first generation to artificial intelligence in the fifth generation. Each generation is characterized by significant improvements in size, speed, efficiency, and user interaction, evolving from batch processing to modern computing capabilities. The fifth generation is focused on developing computers that can process natural language and utilize advanced technologies like quantum computation.

Uploaded by

sanket47sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Q: Explain the generation of computer?

Generations of Computers
• Generation in computer terminology is a change
in technology a computer is/was being used.
• Initially, the generation term was used to
distinguish between varying hardware
technologies.
• Nowadays, generation includes both hardware
and software, which together make up an entire
computer system.
• There are five computer generations known till
date.
Sl. No Generation & Description

1 First Generation
The period of first generation: 1940-1956. Vacuum tube based.

2 Second Generation
The period of second generation: 1956-1963. Transistor based.

3 Third Generation
The period of third generation: 1964-1971. Integrated Circuit
based.

4 Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation: 1971-Present. VLSI
microprocessor based.

5 Fifth Generation
The period of fifth generation(Present and Beyond)
ULSI microprocessor based.
First Generation Computers
• The period of first generation was from
1940-1956.
• 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 the installations used to fuse
frequently.
• Therefore, they were very expensive and
only large organizations were able to afford
it.
• In this generation, mainly batch processing
operating system was used.
• Punch cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape
was used as input and output devices.
• The computers in this generation used
machine code as the programming language
• The main features of the first generation are:
• Vacuum tube technology
• Unreliable
• Supported machine language only
• Very costly
• Generates lot of heat
• Slow input and output devices
• Huge size
• Need of AC
• Non-portable
• Consumes lot of electricity
• Some computers of this generation were:
• ENIAC
• EDVAC
• EDSAC
• UNIVAC
Second Generation Computers
(1956-1963)
• The replacement of vacuum tubes by transistors saw
the advent of the second generation of computing.
• Although first invented in 1947, transistors weren’t
used significantly in computers until the end of the
1950s.
• They were a big improvement over the vacuum tube,
despite still subjecting computers to damaging levels of
heat.
• However they were hugely superior to the vacuum
tubes, making computers smaller, faster, cheaper and
less heavy on electricity use.
• They still relied on punched card for input/printouts.
• The language evolved from cryptic binary language to
symbolic (‘assembly’) languages. T
• his meant programmers could create instructions in
words. About the same time high level programming
languages were being developed (early versions of
COBOL and FORTRAN).
• Transistor-driven machines were the first computers to
store instructions into their memories – moving from
magnetic drum to magnetic core ‘technology’. The early
versions of these machines were developed for the
atomic energy industry.
• The main features of second generation are:
• Use of transistors
• Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
• Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
• Generates 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
• AC required
• Supported machine and assembly languages

• Some computers of this generation were:


• IBM 1620
• IBM 7094
• CDC 1604
• CDC 3600
Third Generation Computers(1964-71)
• By this phase, transistors were now
being miniaturised and put on silicon
chips (called semiconductors).
• This led to a massive increase in spee d
and efficiency of these machines.
• These were the first computers where
users interacted using keyboards and
monitors which interfaced with an
operating system, a significant leap up
from the punch cards and printouts.
• This enabled these machines to run
several applications at once using a
central program which functioned to
monitor memory.
• As a result of these advances which
again made machines cheaper and
smaller, a new mass market of users
emerged during the ‘60s.
• The main features of third generation are:
• IC used
• More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
• Smaller size
• Generated less heat
• Faster
• Lesser maintenance
• Costly
• AC required
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Supported high-level language

• Some computers of this generation were:


• IBM-360 series
• Honeywell-6000 series
• PDP (Personal Data Processor)
• IBM-370/168
• TDC-316
Fourth Generation Computers
(1971-Present)

• This revolution can be summed in one word: Intel. The chip-maker


developed the Intel 4004 chip in 1971, which positioned all computer
components (CPU, memory, input/output controls) onto a single chip.
• What filled a room in the 1940s now fit in the palm of the hand.
• The Intel chip housed thousands of integrated circuits.
• The year 1981 saw the first ever computer (IBM) specifically designed for
home use and 1984 saw the MacIntosh introduced by Apple.
• Microprocessors even moved beyond the realm of computers and into an
increasing number of everyday products.
• The increased power of these small computers meant they could be
linked, creating networks.
• Which ultimately led to the development, birth and rapid evolution of the
Internet.
• Other major advances during this period have been the Graphical user
interface (GUI), the mouse and more recently the astounding advances in
lap-top capability and hand-held devices.
• The main features of fourth generation are:
• VLSI technology used
• Very cheap
• Portable and reliable
• Use of PCs
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No AC required
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great developments in the fields of networks
• Computers became easily available

• Some computers of this generation were:


• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super Computer)
• CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
Fifth Generation Computers
(Present and beyond)

• Computer devices with artificial intelligence are still


in development, but some of these technologies are
beginning to emerge and be used such as voice
recognition.
• AI is a reality made possible by using parallel
processing and superconductors. Leaning to the
future, computers will be radically transformed again
by quantum computation, molecular and nano
technology.
• The essence of fifth generation will be using these
technologies to ultimately create machines which can
process and respond to natural language, and have
capability to learn and organise themselves.

ES-TECH COMPUTER EDUCATION

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