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Computer Generations

Generations of computer. Different stages of evolution of computer as a more capable machine as compared to its predecessors. History of computers. Computers in early age.

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Rishabh Vashistha
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48 views

Computer Generations

Generations of computer. Different stages of evolution of computer as a more capable machine as compared to its predecessors. History of computers. Computers in early age.

Uploaded by

Rishabh Vashistha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMPUTER

GENERATIONS
INTRODUCTION

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.

DIGITAL COMPUTER IS A COMBINATION OF MANY INVENTION AND THOUGHTS


WHICH WERE BY MADE BY MANY PEOPLE IN PAST THOUSANDS OF YEARS. WE
MEASURE TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENT BY GENERATIONS. AN EXPLICIT SYSTEM
IS SAID TO BELONG TO AN EXPLICIT “GENERATION.” EACH GENERATION
INDICATES A MAJOR CHANGE IN COMPUTER DESIGN.
There are totally five computer
generations till date.

S. Generation & Description


no.
 1 First Generation
The period of first generation : 1940-1956. Vaccum tube based.
 2 Second Generation
The period of second generation : 1956-1963. Transistor based.
 3 Third Generation
The period of third generation : 1964-1971. Integrated Circuit based.
 4 Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation : 1971-Present. VLSI microprocessor
based.
 5 Fifth Generation
The period of fifth generation : Present-onwards. ULSI
microprocessor based.
FIRST GENERATION
• The period of the generation was 1940-1956.
• Computers of these generation used vacuum tubes as the basic
components for the memory and circuitry for CPU.
• These tubes like electric bulbs produced a lot of heat and were
prone to frequent fusing of the installation, therefore , were very
expensive and could be afforded only by very large organisations.
• In this generation mainly batch processing operating system
were used
• In this generation Punched cards, Paper tape, Magnetic tape
Input & Output device were used.
• There were Machine code and electric wired board languages
used.
Features of First Generation
• Vaccum tube technoogy
• Unreliable
• Supported machine language obly
• Very costly
• Generate lot of heat
• Slow Input/Output device
• Huge size
• Need of A.C.
• Non portable
• Consumed lot of electricity
Some computer of this
generation were:
 ENIAC
 EDVAC
 UNIVAC
 IBM-701
 IBM-650
SECOND GENERATION

• The period of second generation was 1956-1963.


• This generation using the transistor were cheaper, consumed
less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster
than the first generation machines made of vaccum tubes.
• In this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary
memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as
secondary storage devices.
• In this generation assembly language and high level
programming language like FORTRAN, COBOL were used.
• There were Batch processing and Multiprogramming
Operating system used.
Features of Second Generation
• Use of transistors
• Reliable as compared to First generation
computers
• Smaller size as compared to First generation
computers
• Generate less heat as compared to First
generation computers
• Consumed less electricity as compared to First
generation computers
• Faster than first generation computers
• Still very costly
• A.C. needed
• Support machine and assmebly languages
Some computer of this generation
were:

 IBM 1620
 IBM 7094
 CDC 1604
 CDC 3600
 UNIVAC 1108
THIRD GENERATION
• The period of third generation was 1964-1971.
• The third generation of computer is marked by the use of
Integrated Circuits (IC's) in place of transistors.
• A single I.C has many transistors, resistors and capacitors
along with the associated circuitry.
• The I.C was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made
computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient.
• In this generation Remote processing, Time-sharing, Real-
time, Multi-programming Operating System were used.
• High level language (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1,
BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.
Features of Third Generation
• IC used
• More reliable
• Smaller size
• Generate less heat
• Faster
• Lesser maintenance
• Still costly
• A.C needed
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Support high level language
Some computer of this generation were:

• IBM-360 series
• Honeywell-6000 series
• PDP(Personal Data Processor)
• IBM-370/168
• TDC-316
FOURTH GENERATION
• The period of Fourth Generation was 1971-Present.
• The fourth generation of computers is marked by the use of Very
Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
• VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit
elements and their associated circuits on a single chip made it
possible to have microcomputers of fourth generation.
• Fourth Generation computers became more powerful, compact,
reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to personal computer
(PC) revolution.
• In this generation Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed
Operating System were used.
• All the Higher level languages like C and C++, DBASE etc. were used
in this generation.
Features of Fourth Generation
• VLSI technology used
• Very cheap
• Portable and reliable
• Use of PC's
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No A.C. needed
• Concept of internet was
introduced
• Great developments in the fields
of networks
• Computers became easily
available
Some computer of this generation were:

• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super Computer)
• CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
FIFTH GENERATION
• The period of Fifth Generation is Present-till date.
• In the fifth generation, the VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra
Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production
of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic
components.
• This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI
(Artificial Intelligence) software.
• AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets
means and method of making computers think like human
beings.
• All the Higher level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc.
are used in this generation.
Features of Fifth Generation
• Robotics
• Neural networks
• Game Playing
• Development of expert systems to make decisions in real
life situations.
• Natural language understanding and generation.
• ULSI technology
• Development of true artificial intelligence
• Development of Natural language processing
• Advancement in Parallel Processing
• Advancement in Superconductor technology
• More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features
• Availability of very powerful and compact computers at
cheaper rates
Some computer of this generation
were:

• Desktop
• Laptop
• NoteBook
• UltraBook
OVERVIEW
Overview of the features of the
FIVE GENERATIONS OF THE COMPUTERS
Criterian First Second Third Fourth Fifth
Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation
Computer Computer Computer Computer Computer

Technology Vaccum Tube Transistor Integrated Microprocessor Artificial


Circuit Intelligence
Speed Slowest Slow Medium Faster Fastest

Size Largest Large Medium Smaller Smallest

Reliability Unreliable Less Reliable More Reliable More Reliable Most Reliable

Operating None None Yes Yes Yes


System
Language Machine Assembly High level High level High level

Period 1940-1956 1956-1963 1964-1971 1971-present Present-beyond

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