2. Generations of Computer
• The history of computer development is often categorized
into different generations, each marked by significant
technological advancements that transformed the nature of
computing. These technological developments led to
computers that were smaller, cheaper, more powerful,
efficient, and reliable.
3. Generations Of Computer
• The computers can be divided into five generations depending upon
the technologies used. These generations differ in size and processing
capacity
• First Generation 1948 — 1958 Vacuum Tube
• Second Generation 1959 — 1967 Transistors
• Third Generation 1968 — 1973 Integrated Circuit (IC’s)
• Forth Generation 1974 — 1982 Microprocessors
• Fifth Generation 1982 — Till now
4. First Generation
• The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes for processing.
They were large, bulky, and consumed a lot of power.
The main features of this generation are:
• Used vacuum tubes for circuitry
• Used magnetic drums for memory
• Used machine language to perform operations
• Able to solve one problem at a time
• Output consisted of punched cards or paper
• The UNIVAC and ENIAC are examples of first-generation computing
devices
5.
6.
7. Disadvantages
• Very expensive to operate
• Very large in size.
• Generate lot of heat.
• Heavy air-conditioning is required.
• Less reliable.
• Consume very high voltage.
• Low storage capacity.
8. Second Generation
Second-generation computers, which used transistors as their primary electronic components,
featured more advanced and user-friendly input/output methods compared to first-generation
computers. These computers typically used punched cards and magnetic tape for data input and
output. The second generation saw the introduction of transistors, which were smaller, more
reliable, and energy-efficient compared to vacuum tubes.
• Used Assembly language instead of binary language.
• Later on used High Level Languages like COBOL, FORTRAN BASIC and PL/I
• Transmission of data from one computer to another was possible.
• More reliable then previous generation.
• Smaller in size as compared to previous generation.
• Produce less heat as compare to previous generation.
• Less power consumption then previous generation.
• High capacity of internal storage.
• Used magnetic core technology
• Stored instructions in memory
• Developed for the atomic energy industry.
10. Third Generation
• Integrated circuits (ICs) instead of individual transistors
• The first commercial operating system of real-time is introduced.
• Smaller in size as compared to the first two generations.
• Keyboards were used as input devices.
• Monitors were used as output devices.
• Higher capacity internal storage.
• The operating system is used to control the computer and its
resources.
• Used High-Level Language (HLL), like RPG and Pascal.
• High speed
• Small in size.
• Power consumption is low.
• Weight has decreased.
11. Fourth Generation
• In this generation microprocessor chip was used. The machines intended
for sharp rise of productivity of work in science, production, management,
public health services, and everyday life
• Contained entire CPU on a single silicon chip.
• Very much reliable as compared to all previous generations.
• Magnetic disks became the primary means of internal storage
• Large internal storage capacity.
• Single chip contains thousands of IC’s.
• The size became very small due to the use of LSI (Large Scale Integrated)
and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated) circuits.
• Less expensive.
• Very fast as compared to all previous generations.
12. Fifth Generation
• Till fourth generation, the major stress was on improving the hardware,
decreasing the size and increasing the speed of computer
• These computers were lacking thinking power.
• In fifth generation, scientists are trying to make computer so intelligent
that it could take decisions by its own self.
• These computers have capacity to think and reason which can be used
to solve problems where human intelligence is required.
• Expert Systems are examples of systems implementing Artificial
Intelligence (AI).
13. What is a Port????
• A Connection Point at which we connect input and output
devices to a computer
14. Types of Port
• Parallel
A parallel port is a type of computer port used for transferring
data in parallel, meaning that multiple bits of data are sent
simultaneously over multiple wires (Printers or Scanners).
• Serial
A serial port is a computer port used for transferring data
sequentially, with one bit of data transmitted at a time over a single
wire ( Mouse, Keyboard)
