This document summarizes the five generations of computers from the first generation in 1946 to the current fifth generation. It provides details on the defining technologies of each generation including vacuum tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and artificial intelligence. It also describes the characteristics of different types of computers such as microcomputers, mini computers, mainframes, and supercomputers.

1. COMPUTER GENERATION

2. CONTENTS:
Introduction
Brief History of Computer.
Generation of Computer
Advantages anddisadvantages of Computers
Computer Types

3. INTRODUCTIO
N:
Computer word is derived from “Computing”. As the s
the modern science that we call "Computer Science" c
traced back to a long ago age where man still dwelled
in the forest, and lived in groups for protection and su
from the harsher elements on the Earth.
Computing becoming more and more complicated th
the first computing device came in to being that is A
invented by Chinese about 500 years ago.

4. Acomputer is an electronic device that can
process data and produce output as per a set of
instructions called as program and display output
through various output devices such as printer and
monitor etc.
•
In business and industry the primary function of a
computer is processing of data. Afactory converts raw
materials in to finish products. In this case the raw
materials are the inputs and finished products are the
outputs.

5. BRIEF HISTORY OF
COMPUTER

Pascal’s Adding Machine.

Leibniz's Reckoning Machine.

Colmar’s multiplying Machine.

Babbage’s Difference Engine.

Babbage’s Analytical Engine.

The first Computer.
contd…

6. Dr. Howard Aiken of Harvard university in
association with IBM in 1944,constructed an electro
mechanical machine capable of processing a series of
instructions in the form of a program. It was named as
Mark-I. This is considered to be the first operational
computer .It was around 15.24m long and 2.44m high
compromising of more than 750,000 parts. It can
complete one arithmetic operation on 23 digit
numbers in around3 seconds.

7. GENERATION OF
COMPUTER
Since the evolution of 1st computer in 1944,the size of
computer has decreased whereas the speed, capacity and
reliability have increased with the passage of time. Some
notable landmarks in technology
responsible for this
development aregiven below.

Invention of Transistor

Invention of IC’s

Development of Microprocessor

8. Generations Period Technology
First Generation 1946-1955 Vacuums Tube
Second Generation 1955-1965 Transistors
Third Generation 1965-1975 Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Forth Generation 1976-1988 Microprocessor/Large Scale
Integration
Fifth Generation Since 1988 Artificial Intelligence

9. FIRST GENERATION(1946-
1955)
The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and
magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking
up entire rooms. First generation computers relied on machine
language to perform operations, and they could only solve one
problem at a time.
The Mark-I, EDSAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC-I and ENIAC computers
are examples of first-generation computing devices.
IBM-650 was another first generation computer by IBM
corporation.

10. 
the 1Gcomputers were able to process any tasks in milliseconds.

The hardware designs are functioned and programmed by machine
languages.

Vacuum tube technology is very much important which opened the
gates of digitalworld communication.
Disadvantages:

Size of that machines are very big.

Required large amount of energy for processing.

Heat generated and need air conditioning.

Expensive.

In order to get proper processing, maintenance is required
continuously.

11. SECOND GENERATION(1955-
1965)
•
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes in the second generation
computer. Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor
material that amplifies a signal or opens or closes a circuit.
Invented in 1947 at Bell Labs, transistors have become the key
ingredient of all digital circuits, including computers.
•
Today's latest microprocessor contains tens of millions of
microscopic transistors.
•
The first computers of this generation were developed for the
atomic energy industry.
•
Ex-IBM 7074 series, CDC 164, IBM 1400 Series.

12. 
less expensive and smaller in size as compared to first generation
computers.

Fast in speed.

Low power consumption and less heat generated.

Vacuum tube technology is very much important which opened the gates
of digital world communication.

Language after machine language for programming, in G2 assembly
language (COBOL, FORTRON) is introduced forprogramming.
Disadvantages:

Maintenance of Machine isrequired.

Air conditioning required still as heat causes to process slowly.

These computers are not used as personal system.

Preferably usedfor commercial purposes.

13. THIRD GENERATION(1965-
1975)
The development of the Integrated Circuit was the hallmark of
the third generation of computers. 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, which allowed the
device to run many different applications at one time with a
central program that monitored the memory.
Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass
audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors.
Ex- IBM System/360 &IBM 370, PDP-8, DEC, UNIVAC 1108,
UNIVAC 9000.

14. 
Smaller in size.

Low cost thenprevious.

Low power consumption and easy to operate.

Less computation time.

High reliability.

Multitasking Environment.

OS for user interactions.
Disadvantages:

IC chips are still difficult to maintain.

Need complex technology.

15. FOURTH
GENERATION(1976-1988)
Use of microprocessor in mid seventies marked the advent of
fourth generation computers. Medium to very large scale IC’s
technology packed about 1,00,000 transistors in a single chip.
The Intel corporation in 1971packed the complete CPU in a
single chip. This is known as microprocessor.
Another significant development of this generation was graphic
devices. This has significantly contributed to the use of
computers in design, drawing, commercial arts and
entertainment.
What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit
in the palm of the hand.
Ex-Intel processors, AMD processor basedmachines

16. 
Smaller in size.

Microprocessor based Technology.

Semiconductor Memory.

Low cost ofproduction.

High speed.

High reliability.

Efficient OS. More external storage mediums are introduced like CD-
ROM, DVD-ROM.

GUIs developed forinteraction

17. FIFTH GENERATION(1988
ONWARDS)
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.
Ex-ULAIC Technology, Artificial intelligence etc.

18. Program independent.
Have thinking and analysis by its own.
Voice reorganization &biometric devices.
Self organization and learning.

19. COMPUTER
TYPES:
Computer
Digital
Micro Mini Mainframe Super
Analog Hybrid

20. MICRO COMPUTER
Amicrocomputer is one whose CPU is a microprocessor.
These are small machines designed for individual users. Average
people who have basic knowledge of computers can use this
computer.
It can perform tasks such as Word processing, Desktop
publishing, Accountings, Word processing, spreadsheets and
database,etc.
Also useful for playing games, listening music and watching
movies.
Ex-IBM PC, Panel PC, eBox-Embedded PCseries.

21. MINI COMPUTER
It is a midsized multiprocessing and multiuser computer.
Multiprocessing is the process of running multiple programs
simultaneously.
Used in business organizations for the maintenance of accounts
and finance data applications.
More powerful and compatible with micro computer.
Also useful for manufacturing processes and scientific research.
Ex-Open mini PC, Fit-PC, MSI Mini PC.

22. MAINFRAME COMPUTER
A mainframe computer is a large and powerful system
with a vast amount of storage and memory space. The
word length of mainframe computers is generally 64
bit.
They were designed to serve the purpose of
centralized computing instead of the
distributed computing.
They now serve distributed users and small servers in a
computer network.
Also known as enterprise servers.
It can perform millions of transactions every day and it
is mostly used in government organizations .
Ex-IBM system Z10 mainframes.

23. SUPER COMPUTER
The Super computer consists of a number of processors that can
process variety of jobs in parallel.
Today's super computers can process billions of instructions per
second.
It is the fastest and most expensive type of computer.
Some of the major applications of super computer are molecular
chemistry, nuclear research, weather reports and advanced physics.
Major disadvantages of super computer is that it generates a large
amount of heat during their operations and hence effective cooling
required.
Ex-Cray Jaguar, IBM Roadrunner, IBM NORC,PARAM,ANURAG.