This document discusses the five generations of computers. It provides details on the key characteristics and technologies of each generation including the computers used, languages developed, and common applications. The 1st generation (1951-1958) used vacuum tubes and were large, slow and unreliable. The 2nd generation (1959-1963) used transistors and were smaller and more efficient. The 3rd generation (1964-1979) used integrated circuits and were smaller and faster. The 4th generation (1979-) used microprocessors and were more powerful and portable. The 5th generation (present) is based on artificial intelligence and future technologies.

2. THE GENERATION OF
COMPUTER
• The characteristics of modern age computers are
based on this generation. Each generations of
computer is characterized by a major technological
development that improves the speed, power and
efficiency of a computer. The computers in modern
age are categorized in five generations.

3. GENERATION OF COMPUTER
1ST GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1951-1958)
2ND GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1959-1963)
3RD GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1964-1979)
4TH GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1979)
5TH GENERATION OF COMPUTER

4. 1ST GENERATION OF COMPUTER
(1951-1958)
• First generation computers were used vacuum tubes as electronic
component.
• These magnetic drums were used for memory.
• These computers relied on machine language to perform
operations.
• The input was based on punched card, and output was printed on
paper.
• These computers were the fastest calculating devices of their time.
• The size of computers was very large i.e. non portable computers.
• The speed of these computers was very slow.
• Vacuum tubes required great amounts of energy
• They generated much heat i.e. unreliable.
• They required air conditioning.

5. APPLICATIONS:
THESE COMPUTERS WERE USED FOR RECORD KEEPING AND PAYROLL
PROCESSING.
Computers of First Generation:
ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC, IBM etc.
EDSAC

6. 2ND GENERATION OF COMPUTER
(1959-1963)
• This generation computers are used transistors instead of vacuum
tube.
• The magnetic core technology was used for memory at that time
• Assembly language and high level languages were used for
programming.
• These computers are still relied on punched card for input and print
out for output.
• These computers smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable and
energy efficient as compare of their time.
• The transistors still generated a great amount of heat.
• They required air conditioning.
• They required frequent maintenance.
• These computers were the fastest calculating devices of their time.
• The commercial production was difficult and costly.

7. APPLICATIONS:
THESE COMPUTERS WERE USED FOR KEEPING PAYROLL PROCESSING,
UPDATING FILES ETC.
Computers of Second Generation:
IBM-1401, IBM-1600 series, UNIVAC III etc

8. 3RD GENERATION OF COMPUTER
(1964-1979)
• This generation computers used integrated circuits (ICs)
• The main memory increased in the form of PROM and D-ROM and
magnetic disc used as storage device.
• High level languages were developed including BASIC, PASCAL etc.
• These computers used keyboard for input and monitor for output.
• These computer smaller, faster, cheaper, more reliable and energy
efficient than previous generations.
• These computers didn’t generate a great amount of heat.
• The hardware, failure was very rare.
• The commercial production was easier and cheaper.
• They required air conditioning.
• Highly sophisticated technology was required for the manufacturing
of ICs.

9. APPLICATIONS:
THESE COMPUTERS WERE USED FOR RECORD KEEPING, AIRLINE
RESERVATIONS, WEATHER FARE CASTING ETC.
Computers of Third Generation:
IBM 360, IBM 370, INTEL 4004 etc.
IBM 360

10. 4TH GENERATION OF COMPUTER
(1979)
• This generation computers used microprocessor which contains thousands
of ICs on a single silicon chip.
• These computers are more powerful, which could be linked together to
forms networks.
• Floppy disk (8 and 5.25 inches) and hard disk were used as storage
devices.
• The graphics user interfaces (GUIs), the mouse and hand held devices
were developed.
• These computer smaller, faster, cheaper, more reliable and energy
efficient than previous generations.
• The first portable computer (Osborne I) was developed.
• Heat generation and hardware, failure was negligible.
• Much easier high level languages were developed. Example: C language.
• Much sophisticated technology was required to fabricate ICs.

11. APPLICATIONS:
THESE COMPUTERS ARE USED IN MANY FIELDS SUCH AS BUSINESS,
ELECTRONIC FUNDS, TRANSFER, CAD SYSTEM ETC.
Computers of Fourth Generations:
INTEL-8008, IBM-3033, IBM system 36 etc.

12. 5TH GENERATION OF COMPUTER
• This generation computers are based on artificial
intelligence which is still in development.
• The quantum computation and molecular nano technology
will change the face of computer in future.
• More improve microprocessor are develop.
• Natural languages were developing for programming such
as SQL, PROLOG etc.
• The main memory is now in the form of EEPROM, SIMM,
and DIMM.
• CDS,DVDS, and USBS ARE USED as storage devices.
• These generation computers are smaller, cheaper, more
reliable and faster than previous generations.

13. APPLICATIONS:
THESE COMPUTERS ARE USED IN ALL FIELDS OF LIFE SUCH AS
HOME, EDUCATION, BUSINESS ETC.
Computers of Fifth Generations:
INTEL Pentium series, Diary computer, Palmtop etc.

14. 1stGeneration 2ndGeneration 3rdGeneration 4thGeneration 5thGeneration
Duration 1940-1956 1956-1964 1964-1971 1971-1981 1981-present
Internal
component
Vacuum tubes Transistors
Integrated circuit
(ICS)
Micro-processor
Artificial
intelligence
Size of computer Very huge
Smaller than
1stgeneration
Much smaller than
previous
generations
Micro- computers Tiny computers
Storage devices Magnetic tape Magnetic tape Magnetic tape
Hard disk &
floppy disk
Hard disk, floppy
and optical storage
Programming
languages
Machine language
Assembly
language
High level
languages such as
BASIC, PASCAL
Very high level
languages C,
C++ etc
Natural language
like SQL,
PROLOG etc
Famous computers
ENIAC,
UNIVAC, IBM
705 etc
IBM-400, IBM-
1600, UNIVAC III
etc
IBM 360, IBM
370, UNIVAC
9000 etc
IBM 3033, IBM
system 36, CRAY-
I etc
Pentium series,
LAPTOP,
PALMTOP etc
GENERATION TABLE

15. Types Of
Computer
Based on
purpose
General
purpose
computer
Special
purpose
computer
Based on
capacity
Mainframe
computers
Mini
computers
Micro
computer
Handheld
Devices
Laptop
Desktop
Super
computers
Based on data
handling
Analog
computer
Digital
computer
Hybrid
computer

16. Based on purpose
General purpose computer
• These computers are designed to handle a variety
of problems in different fields of life.
• Examples: Inventory control, Budgeting etc
Special purpose computer
• These computers are designed to handle a
specific problems or specific task.
• Examples: Satellite tracking, Air traffic and
industrial processing control.Atm.

17. Based on capacity
• Mainframe computers
• Mini computers
• Super computers
• Micro computer

18. Mainframe computers
• Mainframe computers are the biggest and the most protective
general purpose systems that are made to model large
dynamic computing needs of a big organization that serves
hundreds of terminals all at the same time. A terminal
consists of a monitor and keyboard that allow a person to
enter information and retrieve it form the computer.
• Uses:
• These computer are used in large organization banks, airline
reservation etc.
• Examples: IBMS/390, HP9000 etc.

19. Mini computers
• Mini computer are referred to as mid level computers. A mini
computer is a multiprocessing system having terminals
attached to it and is capable of supporting 4 to 200 users
simultaneously.
• Uses:
• These computers are used in small companies where capacity and speed
of operations is not highly critical.
• Examples: DEC, VAX and IBM As/400 etc.
IBM As/400

20. Super computers
• Super computer are very sophisticated machines designed to
perform complex calculation at fastest speed BIPS (Billions
of Instructions per Second). These computers are based on the
principle of parallel processing in which several processors
connected in parallel. These computers work on a single
problem at a time.
• Uses:
• These computers are used in satellite tracking, nuclear weapons,
weather for casting etc.
• Examples: Cray research, Cyber 205, Intel etc. PARAM 8000
• PARAM 8600,PARAM 9900/SS, PARAM Padma,
•
•
•

21. Micro computer
• A micro computer consists of a single chip processor
as it CPU, memory unit, I/O devices and storage
devices. These computers are designed to be used
by individual.
• Uses:
• These computers are widely used in home computing,
education, media etc.
• Example: Personal computers (PC), Laptop, Palmtop computers etc.

22. Based on data handling
• Analog computer
• Digital computer
• Hybrid computer

23. Analog computer
• Analog computers are designed to process continuous data.
They produce their results very fast but results are
approximately correct. In general, they are measuring devices
used to measure continuously variable quantities.
• Uses:
These computers are used in chemical industries, electric power
plants etc
• Examples: Thermometer, Speedometer, Voltmeter, Barometer etc.

24. Digital computer
• Digital computers are designed to process
discontinuous or digital data. They have less speed
then analog computers but results are much
accurate. It handles values that are in discrete (0 and
• Uses:
• These computers are used in government offices, educational
institutes, and business organization etc.
• Examples: Personal computer (PC), Digital diary, Calculator etc

25. Hybrid computer
• Hybrid computers are designed by the combination of analog
and digital computers. They have speed of analog computers
and have the accuracy of digital computers. It uses analog to
digital conversation and digital to analog conversion.
• Uses:
• These components are used in space vehicle simulation, training of
astronauts, robotics etc.
• Examples: Modern petrol pump, Electronic weight balance, Digital speedometer.

26. Internet Citations
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type ofComputer
2. http://www.slideshare.net/FRKNIAZI/143517-
291150thefivegenerationsofcompute
3. http://www.slideshare.net/looksvivek/the-5-generations-of-
computers#
4. http://www.khinotes.net/INTRODUCTION-TO-
COMPUTER.html