This document discusses the generations and types of computers. It begins by acknowledging the origins of the modern computer in Charles Babbage's analytical engine design in the 19th century. It then summarizes the five generations of computers: 1) Vacuum tubes, 2) Transistors, 3) Integrated circuits, 4) Microprocessors, and 5) Artificial intelligence. It also outlines the four main types of computers based on processing power: supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers. Specific examples are provided for each generation and type.

1. SSM COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
PARIHASPORA, PATTAN, BARAMULLA
“Computer Fundamentals”
GENERATIONS AND TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Submitted to: Submitted by:
Mr. Arif Ahmad Arif Hamid Shah
(Asst. Prof. of b school of Enrollment No. 519
Roll No. 19260302
Commerce and Management) MBA 1ST
Sem. Batch 2019

2. ACKNOLODGEMENT
We would like to express our special thanks of gratitude to our
Teacher Mr. Arif Ahmad as well as our HOD Sir who gave us the
golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic
“MASLOLOW NEET HEIRARCHY THEORY AND DUAL
NATURE THEORY OF MOTIVATION”, which also helped us in
doing a lot of Research and we came to know about so many new
things. We are really thankful to them. Secondly we would also
like to thank our parents and friends who helped us a lot in
finishing this project within the limited time. We are also making
this Assignment not only for marks but also to increase our
knowledge. THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO HELPED US.

3. HISTORY OF COMPUTER
The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a
19th century English mathematics professor name Charles
Babbage. He designed the Analytical Engine and this was the
Design that is the basic framework of the computer. Each
generation lasted for a certain period of time, and each gave us
either a new and improved computer or an improvement to the
existing computer.
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.
EXAMPLE: The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of
first-generation computing devices.

4. Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors: Transistors replace
vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. The
transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in
computers until the late 1950s. The transistor was far superior to the
vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper,
more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generation
computers. Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards
for input and printouts for output. Second-generation computers
moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or assembly.
EXAMPLES: In the early 1960s, the IBM 1401 and Honeywell 400 were
examples.
Third Generation(1964 -1971) Integrated Circuits: The
development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third
generation of computers. Computer programming Transistors were
miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which
drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Instead of
punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation
computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an
operating system. Computers for the first time became accessible to a
mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their

5. predecessors. EXAMPLE: The LILLIAC IV is an example of a third
generation computer.
Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors: The
microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as
thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip.
What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the
palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all
the components of the computer—from the central processing unit and
memory to input/output controls—on a single chip. Microprocessors
also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas
of life as more and more everyday products began to use
microprocessors.
As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked
together to form networks. EXAPLES: This has resulted in new classes
of machines such as personal computers

6. Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence:
Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are
still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice
recognition, that are being used today. The use of parallel processing
and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality.
Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically
change the face of computers in years to come. The goal of fifth
generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural
language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
TYPES OF COMPUTER
Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing power. The main four types are:
I. Supercomputer
II. Mainframe Computer
III. Minicomputer
IV. Microcomputer
Supercomputer: The most powerful computers in terms of
performance and data processing are the Supercomputers. These
are specialized and task specific computers used by large
organizations. These computers are used for research and
exploration purposes, like NASA uses supercomputers for
launching space shuttles, controlling them and for space
exploration purpose. Uses of Supercomputers: In Pakistan

7. Supercomputers are used by Educational Institutes like NUST for
research purposes. Pakistan Atomic Energy commission.
Popular Supercomputers:-
IBM’s Sequoia, in United States
Fujitsu’s K Computer in Japan
IBM’s Mira in United States
Mainframe computer: Although Mainframes are not as
powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are quite
expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government
organizations uses Mainframes to run their business operations.
The Mainframe computers can be accommodated in large air-
conditioned rooms because of its size. Super-computers are the
fastest computers with large data storage capacity, Mainframes
can also process & store large amount of data. Banks educational
institutions & insurance companies use mainframe computers to
store data about their customers, students & insurance policy
holders Popular Mainframe computers:
Fujitsu’s ICL VME
Hitachi’s Z800.

8. Minicomputer: Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms.
Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange Computers”. These are
small machines and can be accommodated on a disk with not as
processing and data storage capabilities as super-computers &
Mainframes. These computers are not designed for a single user.
Individual departments of a large company or organizations use
Minicomputers for specific purposes.
For example, a production department can use Minicomputers for
monitoring certain production process.
Popular Minicomputers: K-202
Texas Instrument TI-990
SDS-92
IBM Midrange computers.
Microcomputer: Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital
assistant (PDA), tablets & smart phones are all types of
microcomputers. The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest
growing computers. These computers are the cheapest among the
other three types of computers. The Micro-computers are specially
designed for general usage like entertainment, education and work
purposes. Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell,

9. Apple, Samsung, and Sony & Toshiba. Popular Micro-computers:Desktop computers,
Gaming consoles, Sound & Navigation system of a car, Net books, Notebooks, PDA’s,
Tablet PC’s, Smartphone’s, Calculators are all type of Microcomputers.