The document summarizes the generations of computers from the first to fifth generation. The first generation used vacuum tubes, were very large in size, and had slow processing speeds. The second generation used transistors and were smaller with faster processing. The third generation used integrated circuits, were smaller than the second generation with faster processing speeds. The fourth generation used microprocessors, were small enough to fit in the palm of the hand with very fast processing speeds. The fifth generation uses technologies like VLSI, ULSI, and nanotechnology, are very small in size with very fast processing speeds and capabilities like artificial intelligence.
Computers can be classified into five types according to the generations i.e. time period:
First Generation Computers: vacuum tubes
Second Generation Computers: transistors
Third Generation Computers: integrated circuits (ICs)
Fourth Generation Computers: large scale integration (LSI)
Fifth Generation Computers: very large scale integration (VLSI)
Computers can be classified into five types according to the generations i.e. time period:
First Generation Computers: vacuum tubes
Second Generation Computers: transistors
Third Generation Computers: integrated circuits (ICs)
Fourth Generation Computers: large scale integration (LSI)
Fifth Generation Computers: very large scale integration (VLSI)
The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of your time. It had been around 16th century when the evolution of the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for the betterment. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accuracy, size, and price to urge the form of the fashionable day computer. This long period is often conveniently divided into the subsequent phases called computer generations:
First Generation Computers (1940-1956)
Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)
Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)
Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present)
Fifth Generation Computers (Present and Beyond)
Before there are graphing calculators, spreadsheets, and computer algebra systems, mathematicians and inventors searched for solutions to ease the burden of calculation.
Below are the 8 mechanical calculators before modern computers were invented.
1. Abacus (ca. 2700 BC)
2. Pascal’s Calculator (1652)
3. Stepped Reckoner (1694)
4. Arithmometer (1820)
5. Comptometer (1887) and Comptograph (1889)
6. The Difference Engine (1822)
7. Analytical Engine (1834)
8. The Millionaire (1893)
First Generation Computers: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)
The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device, which was called vacuum tubes. These computers were very heavy and really large in size. These weren’t very reliable and programming on them was a really tedious task as they used low-level programming language and used no OS. First-generation computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purpose. They were too bulky and large that they needed a full room and consume rot of electricity.
Main first generation computers are:
ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been very heavy, large, and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes.
EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was designed by von Neumann. It could store data also as instruction and thus the speed was enhanced.
UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computer was developed in 1952 by Eckert and Mauchly.
Main characteristics of first generation computers are:
Main electronic component Vacuum tube.
Programming language Machine language.
Main memory Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums.
Input/output devices Paper tape and punched cards.
Speed and size Very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire room).
Examples of the first generation IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc.
Second Generation Computers: Transistors (1956-1963)
Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes. Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit.
Transistors were invented in Bell Labs. The use of transistors made it possible to perform powerfully and with due speed.
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. But nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.
2. GENERATION OF
COMPUTERSGeneration of computer is characterized by a major
technological development that fundamentally
changed the way computers operate, resulting in
increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful and
more efficient and reliable devices.
4. FIRST GENERATION
Time period: 1940 - 1956
Technology: Vacuum Tubes
Size: Very large system
Processing: very slow
Characterized By:- Magnetic Drums •
Magnetic Tapes • Difficult to program
• Used machine language &
assembly language First Generation
ComputersENIAC
5. SECOND GENERATION
Time period: 1956 - 1963
Technology: Transistors
Size: Smaller
Processing: Faster
Characterized By:- Magnetic Drums •
Magnetic Tapes • Difficult to program
• Used machine language &
assembly language First Generation
Computers
NCR 304
6. THIRD GENERATION
Time period: 1964 - 1971
Technology: Integrated Circuits(IC)
Size: Small as compared to 2nd
Generation
Processing: Faster than 2nd Generation
Characterized By:- • Magnetic Cores
• Magnetic Disk • Used high level
language • Easier to program than
Second Generation Computers
IBM 360
7. FOURTH GENERATION
Time period: 1972 - 2010
Technology: Microprocessors
Size: Fit in the palm of the hand
Processing: Very fast
Characterized By:- • Micropocessor•SSD •
Used High level language • Easier to program
than third Generation Computers .Language
used C/C++,Java,Python etc.
IBM 5100
8. FIFTH GENERATION
Time period: 2010-present
Technology: VLSI technology became
ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration)
technology and Nanotechnology
Size: Very small
Processing: Very Fast
Characterized By:- • Artificial intelligence•
Superconductor • High level language •
Natural language processing. Easy to
program and manage.
iMAC
