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Computer Generations

The document outlines the evolution of computers from the First Generation (1942-1955) using vacuum tubes to the Fifth Generation, which focuses on future intelligent systems utilizing Artificial Intelligence. Each generation is characterized by advancements in technology, size, power consumption, and programming languages, with notable examples provided for each. The progression highlights a trend towards smaller, faster, and more efficient computing systems over time.

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3 views2 pages

Computer Generations

The document outlines the evolution of computers from the First Generation (1942-1955) using vacuum tubes to the Fifth Generation, which focuses on future intelligent systems utilizing Artificial Intelligence. Each generation is characterized by advancements in technology, size, power consumption, and programming languages, with notable examples provided for each. The progression highlights a trend towards smaller, faster, and more efficient computing systems over time.

Uploaded by

ezratioty
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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First Generation Computers (1942-1955)

i. They used vacuum tubes as their main electronic component.


ii. Used punched cards for input
iii. Used magnetic drum memories for storage
iv. They were slow
v. Consume more power.
vi. Generated a lot of heat
vii. Brock down more frequently
viii. They were heavy and large in size.
ix. They were very expensive.
x. Examples: (ENIAC - Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator, EDSAC –
Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator, EDVAC – Electronic Discrete Variable
Automatic Computer, UNIVAC – Universal Automatic Computer IBM 701)

Second Generation Computers (1956-1964)


i. Used transistors as their main electronic component
ii. Used magnetic tapes for storage
iii. Used magnetic core memories.
iv. Consumed less power and generated les heat
v. They were smaller in size than first generation computers.
vi. More reliable
vii. Cheaper and faster than First Generation.
viii. High level languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL etc were used - Compilers were
developed to translate high-level program into corresponding assembly language program
which was then translated into machine language.
ix. Examples: ENIAC 1401, CDC 160, IBM 700, – IBM 7030, Digital Data Corporation’s
PDP 1/5/8 Honeywell 400

Third Generation Computers (1965-1971)


i. Used Integrated Circuits (ICs) instead of Transistors.
ii. Used magnetic disks for storage as their secondary memory
iii. Used magnetic core memories and semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM)
iv. They were smaller and cheaper than second generation computers
v. They were faster and more accurate than second generation computers.
vi. Comparatively cheaper
vii. High level languages were standardized by ANSI e.g. ANSI FORTRAN, ANSI COBOL
etc
viii. Cache and virtual memories were introduced (Cache memory makes the main memory
appear faster than it really is. Virtual memory makes it appear larger)
ix. Operating system software were introduced
x. Microprogramming, parallel processing (pipelining, multiprocessor system etc),
multiprogramming, multi-user system (time shared system) etc were introduced.
xi. Examples: VAX-750, IBM 360, ICL 1900, System 360 Mainframe from IBM, PDP-8
Mini Computer from Digital Equipment Corporation

Fourth Generation Computers -Microprocessors (1972 onwards)


i. All present day computers come under this category.
ii. Used Large Scale Integrated Circuits (Tens of thousands of transistors) and Very Large
Scale Integrated Circuits (Millions of thousands transistors) embedded on a single silicon
chip were used as their main electronic component.
iii. Microprocessors were introduced as CPU
iv. Used magnetic disks (eg hard disks, floppy disks) and magnetic tapes for storage
Secondary memory
v. Semiconductor memory chips were used as the main memory.
vi. They are smaller in size.
vii. They are cheaper and faster.
viii. CRT screen, laser & ink jet printers, scanners etc were developed.
ix. Parallelism, pipelining cache memory and virtual memory were applied in a better way
x. LAN and WANS were developed (where desktop work stations interconnected)
xi. Introduced Graphical User Interface
xii. Less power consumption
xiii. High performance, lower cost and very compact
xiv. Much increase in the speed of operation
xv. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple
introduced the Macintosh.

Fifth Generation Computers (Future Computers)


i. They are the current and future computers
ii. They will be intelligent like human beings, and will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for
working.
iii. They will be able to think and take decisions like us.
iv. They will be used in areas such as robotics, designing, defense.
v. Object oriented language like JAVA suitable for internet programming has been
developed.
vi. Portable note book computers introduced
vii. Storage technology advanced – large main memory and disk storage available
viii. Introduced World Wide Web. (And other existing applications like e-mail, e Commerce,
Virtual libraries/Classrooms, multimedia applications etc.)
ix. New operating systems developed – Windows 95/98/XP/LINUX, etc.
x. IBM notebooks, Pentium PCs-Pentium 1/2/3/4/Dual core/Quad core... SUN work
stations, Origin 2000, PARAM 10000, IBM SP/2).

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