The Evolution of Computers, 1st, 2nd, 3rd,

4th Generation, and More to Come

Computers in the form of personal desktop computers, laptops and tablets have become such an important part of
everyday living that it can be difficult to remember a time when they did not exist. In reality, computers as they are
known and used today are still relatively new. Although computers have technically been in use since the abacus
approximately 5000 years ago, it is modern computers that have had the greatest and most profound effect on
society. The first full-sized digital computer in history was developed in 1944. Called the Mark I, this computer was
used only for calculations and weighed five tons. Despite its size and limited ability it was the first of many that would
start off generations of computer development and growth.

First Generation Computers

First generation computers bore little resemblance to computers of today, either in appearance or performance. The
first generation of computers took place from 1940 to 1956 and was extremely large in size. The inner workings of the
computers at that time were unsophisticated. These early machines required magnetic drums for memory and
vacuum tubes that worked as switches and amplifiers. It was the vacuum tubes that were mainly responsible for the
large size of the machines and the massive amounts of heat that they released. These computers produced so much
heat that they regularly overheated despite large cooling units. First generation computers also used a very basic
programming language that is referred to as machine language.

Second Generation Computers

The second generation (from 1956 to 1963) of computers managed to do away with vacuum tubes in lieu of
transistors. This allowed them to use less electricity and generate less heat. Second generation computers were also
significantly faster than their predecessors. Another significant change was in the size of the computers, which were
smaller. Transistor computers also developed core memory which they used alongside magnetic storage.

Third Generation Computers

From 1964 to 1971 computers went through a significant change in terms of speed, courtesy of integrated circuits.
Integrated circuits, or semiconductor chips, were large numbers of miniature transistors packed on silicon chips. This
not only increased the speed of computers but also made them smaller, more powerful, and less expensive. In
addition, instead of the punch cards and the printouts of previous systems, keyboards and monitors were now
allowing people to interact with computing machines.

Fourth Generation Computers

The changes with the greatest impact occurred in the years from 1971 to 2010. During this time technology
developed to a point where manufacturers could place millions of transistors on a single circuit chip. This was called
monolithic integrated circuit technology. It also heralded the invention of the Intel 4004 chip which was the first
microprocessor to become commercially available in 1971. This invention led to the dawn of the personal computer
industry. By the mid-70s, personal computers such as the Altair 8800 became available to the public in the form of
kits and required assembly. By the late 70s and early 80s assembled personal computers for home use, such as the
Commodore Pet, Apple II and the first IBM computer, were making their way onto the market. Personal computers
and their ability to create networks eventually would lead to the Internet in the early 1990s. The fourth generation of
computers also saw the creation of even smaller computers including laptops and hand-held devices. Graphical user
interface, or GUI, was also invented during this time. Computer memory and storage also went through major
improvements, with an increase in storage capacity and speed.
The Fifth Generation of Computers

In the future, computer users can expect even faster and more advanced computer technology. Computers continue
to develop into advanced forms of technology. Fifth generation computing has yet to be truly defined, as there are
numerous paths that technology is taking toward the future of computer development. For instance, research is
ongoing in the fields of nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, as well as quantum computation.

Charles Babbage - was known for his contributions to the first mechanical computers, which
laid the groundwork for more complex future designs.

Charles Babbage was an English mathematician, philosopher and inventor born on December 26, 1791, in London,
England. Often called The Father of Computing, Babbage detailed plans for mechanical Calculating Engines,
Difference Engines, and Analytical Engines. Babbage died on October 18, 1871, in London.

Augusta Ada King-Noel - Countess of Lovelace (ne Byron; 10 December 1815 27

November 1852) was an English mathematician and writer, chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's
proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She was the first to recognize that the
machine had applications beyond pure calculation, and created the first algorithm intended to be carried out by such
a machine. As a result, she is often regarded as the first to recognize the full potential of a "computing machine" and
the first computer programmer.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO SIZE,

TECHNOLOGY AND PURPOSE

According to size
Supercomputers
Mainframe Computers
Minicomputers
Workstations
Microcomputers, or Personal Computers

Supercomputers:
are widely used in scientific applications such as aerodynamic design simulation, processing of geological data.

Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They are used for problems requiring complex calculations.
Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are relatively rare.
Supercomputers are used by universities, government agencies, and large businesses.

Mainframe Computers:
are usually slower, less powerful and less expensive than supercomputers. A technique that allows many people at
terminals, to access the same computer at one time is called time sharing. Mainframes are used by banks and many
business to update inventory etc.
Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of users, handling massive amounts of input, output, and
storage.
 Mainframe computers are used in large organizations where many users need access to shared data and programs.
Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, handling transactions over the Internet.

Minicomputers:
are smaller than mainframe, general purpose computers, and give computing power without adding the prohibitive
expenses associated with larger systems. It is generally easier to use.

Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals.

Minicomputers may be used as network servers and Internet servers.

Workstations
Workstations are powerful single-user computers.
Workstations are used for tasks that require a great deal of number-crunching power, such as product design and
computer animation.
Workstations are often used as network and Internet servers.

Microcomputers or Personal Computers:

is the smallest, least expensive of all the computers. Micro computers have smallest memory and less power, are
physically smaller and permit fewer peripherals to be attached.

Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers. The term PC is applied to IBM-PCs or
compatible computers.
Desktop computers are the most common type of PC.
Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the power of a desktop system, but also portability.
Handheld PCs (such as PDAs) lack the power of a desktop or notebook PC, but offer features for users who need
limited functions and small size.

Hardware

Abbreviated as HW, Hardware is best described as any physical component of a computer system that contains a
circuit board, ICs, or other electronics. A perfect example of hardware is the screen on which you are viewing this
page. Whether it be a computer monitor, tablet or smartphone; it's hardware .

SOFTWARE

Sometimes abbreviated as SW and S/W, software is a collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a
computer, its hardware, or perform tasks. Without software, most computers would be useless. For example, without
your Internet browser software, you could not surf the Internet or read this page and without an operating system, the
browser could not run on your computer. The picture to the right shows a Microsoft Excel box, an example of a
spreadsheet software program.

PEOPLEWARE

A term first coined by Peter G. Neumann in 1977, people ware refers to the role people play in technology and the
development of hardware or software. It can include various aspects of the process such as human interaction,
programming, productivity, teamwork, and other factors.