Computer
Generations
First
Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes
The
first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking up
entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a
great deal of electricity, the first computers generated a lot of heat, which
was often the cause of malfunctions. They relied on machine language, the lowest-level
programming language understood by computers, to perform operations. They could
only solve one problem at a time, and it could take days or weeks to set-up a
new problem Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was
displayed on printouts. The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of
first-generation computing devices.
· Vacuum
tubes were the only electronic component available during
those days.
· Vacuum tube technology
made possible to make electronic digital computers.
·
These computers could calculate data in
millisecond.
· The computers
were very large in size.
· They consumed a
large amount of energy.
· They were heated
very soon due to thousands of vacuum tubes.
· They were not
very reliable.
· Air conditioning
was required.
· Constant
maintenance was required.
· Non-portable.
· Costly commercial
production.
· Very slow speed.
· Limited
programming capabilities.
· Used machine
language only.
·
Used magnetic drums which provide very less data storage.
Second
Generation (1956-1963) Transistors
The period of
second generation was from 1956-1963. In this generation, transistors were used
that were cheaper, consumed less power, were 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 the 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.
· Smaller in size
as compared to the first-generation computers.
· The 2nd
generation Computers were more reliable.
· Used less energy
and were not heated.
· Wider commercial
use.
· Better
portability as compared to the first-generation computers.
· Better speed and
could calculate data in microseconds.
· Used
faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks,
printer etc.
· Used Assembly
language instead of Machine language.
·
Accuracy was improved.
· Cooling system
was required.
· Constant
maintenance was required.
· Commercial
production was difficult.
· Only used for specific
purposes.
· Costly and not versatile.
·
Punch cards were used for input.
Third
Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits
The period of
third generation was from 1965-1971. The computers of third generation used
Integrated Circuits (ICs) 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,
multiprogramming operating system were used. High-level languages (FORTRAN-II
TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this
generation.
· Smaller in size
as compared to previous generations.
· Used less energy.
· Produced less
heat as compared to the previous two generations of computers.
· Better speed and
could calculate data in nanoseconds.
· Used fan for heat
discharge to prevent damage.
· Totally general
purpose.
· Could be used for
high-level languages.
· Good storage.
· Less expensive.
· Better accuracy.
· Commercial
production increased.
·
Used mouse and keyboard for input.
· Air conditioning
was required.
· Highly
sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.
Fourth
Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors
Fourth
generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable
which 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.
· More powerful and
reliable than previous generations.
· Small in size.
· Fast processing
power with less power consumption.
· Fan for heat
discharging and thus to keep cold.
· No air
conditioning required.
· Totally general
purpose.
· Commercial
production.
· Less need of
repair.
· Cheapest among
all generations.
·
All types of High-level languages can be used
in this type of computers.
· The latest
technology is required for manufacturing of Microprocessors.
Fifth
Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence
The period of
fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, 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, which interprets the 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