RESEARCH WORK #1

GENERATION OF COMPUTER

Computer generations are based on when major technological changes in computers occurred,
like the use of vacuum tubes, transistors, and the microprocessor. As of 2018, there are five
generations of the computer.

FIRST GEENERATION (1940-1956)

The first generation of computer used vacuum tubes as a major
piece of technology. A vacuum tube consists of a glass bulb and
wire. The wire is used to carry data in the form of electronic signal.
Vacuum tubes were larger components and resulted in first
generation computers being quite large in size, taking up a lot of
space in a room and required huge amounts of electricity. Some of
the first generation computers took up an entire room.

Examples of First Generation Computer

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculation) is a great

example of a first generation computer. It consisted of nearly 20,000
vacuum tubes, as well as 10,000 capacitors and 70,000 resistors. It
weighed over 30 tons and took up a lot of space, requiring a large
room to house it. It was the first electronic computer used for
general purposes, such as solving numerical problems. It was
invented by John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly at the University of Pennsylvania to calculate
artillery firing table for the United States Army’s ballistic Research Laboratory.
EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) is a
early British computer considered to be the second stored
program electronic computer. It was created at the University of
Cambridge in England, performed its fist calculation on May 6,
1949. It also has the distinction of being the first computer to run
a graphical computer game, an implementation of tic-tac-toe
named “OXO”.
IBM 701 it was known as the Defense Calculator. It was introduced on April 7,
1953, the 701 was IBM’s first electric computer and the first mass produced
computer. The machine has 256 40-bit words of main memory and can perform
2,200 multiplications per second.
MANCHESTER MARK 1 was one of the first computers that could run a
stored program. Built at the Victoria University of Manchester. It was used to
run a program to search for Mersenne primes for nine hours without error.

SECOND GENERATION (1956-1963)

The second generation of computers saw the use of transistors
instead of vacuum tubes. Transistor (short for “transfer resistance”)
made up of semi-conductor. It is a component used to control the
amount of current or voltage or used for amplification/modulation
or switching of an electronic signal. Transistors were smaller than
vacuum tubes and allowed computers to be smaller in size, faster in speed, and cheaper to build.
The first computer to use translators was the TX-O and was introduce in 1956. Other computers
that used translators include the IBM 7070, Philco Transac S-1000, and RCA 501

THIRD GENERATION (1964-1971)

The third generation of computers introduced the use of IC

(Integrated Circuits) in computers. IC was alternatively referred to as
a bare chip, monolithic integrated circuit, or microchip. It is a package
containing many circuits, logic gates, pathways, transistors, and other
components all working together to perform a particular function or a
series of functions. Because the IC is fragile, it’s often encased in a
plastic package with metal pins extending out of it to connect to a
circuit board. Integrated circuits are the building blocks of computer hardware. It is as small as a
transistor but it can work as fast as thousand of them. It also helped reduce the size of computers
even more compared to second-generation, as well as makes them faster.
FOURTH GENERATION (1972-2010)

The fourth generation of computers took advantage of the invention

of the microprocessor, more commonly known as a CPU (Central
Processor Unit). A computer’s CPU handles all instructions it
receives from the hardware and software running on the computer.
The CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer. However,
it is more appropriate to refer to software as the brain and the CPU
as a very efficient calculator. A CPU is really good with numbers, but if it wasn’t for the
software it wouldn’t know how to do anything else.
Microprocessor, along with integrated circuits helped make it possible for computers to fit easily
on a desk and for the introduction of the laptop.
Some of the earliest computers to use a microprocessor include the Altair 8800, IBM 5100, and
Micral. Today’s computer still use a microprocessor, despite the fourth generation being consider
to have ended in 2010.

FIFTH GENERATION (2010 TO PRESENT)

The fifth generation of computers is beginning to use AI (Artificial Intelligence),
an exciting technology that has many potential applications around the world.
Leaps have been made in AI technology and computers, but there is still much
room for improvement.
One of the more well-known examples of AI in computers is IBM’s Watson,
which has been featured on the TV show Jeopardy as a contestant. Other better-
known examples include Apple’s Siri on the iPhone and Microsoft’s Cortana on
Windows 8 and windows 10 computers. The Google search also utilizes AI to
process user searches.
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
Computer is a programmable device that can store, retrieve, and
process data. The term “computer” was originally given to humans
(human computers) who performed numerical calculations using
mechanical calculators, such as the abacus and slide rule. The term was
later given to mechanical devices as they began replacing the human
computers. Today’s computers are electronic devices that accept data
(input), process that data, produce output, and store (storage) the result.
Full Form of Computer:
Commonly Operating Machine Particularly Used for Technical, Education and Research.
Memory
Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information
temporarily like RAM (Random Access Memory), or permanently, like
ROM (Read-Only Memory). Memory devices utilize integrated circuits
and are used by operating systems, software and hardware.
Memory can be either volatile or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory
is a memory that loses its contents when the computer or hardware device
loses power. Computer RAM is an example of a volatile memory and is why if your computer
freezes or reboots when working on a program, you lose anything that hasn’t been saved. Non-
volatile memory, sometimes abbreviated as NVRAM, is a memory that keeps its contents even
of the power is lost. EPROM is an example of a non-volatile memory.

Parts of Computer
Computer is a combination of many parts. Parts of a computer system mainly classified as:
Input Devices
Keyboard – it is used to enter data into the computer by pressing keys. Keyboard has different
types of keys such as alphabets, numbers, symbols and functional keys.
Mouse – is a pointing device. We can give input through mouse by clicking, holding and
dragging mouse buttons. Computer mouse has usually right button, left button and the scroll
button.
Output Devices
Monitor – monitor looks like a TV. It displays result on the screen.
Speaker – produce sound. It helps us to listen to music
Printer – a machine for printing text or picture onto paper, especially one linked to a computer
Storage Devices
Hard Disk
Pen drive/flash drive
System unit

Capabilities of A Computer
These are the following capabilities of a computer:
1. Speed. With a speed reaching up to fifty million operations per second, a computer can
process data faster than any other machine designed to perform a similar task. That is, adding
two numbers is considered as one operation.
2. Repetitiveness. A computer can perform the same operation a million times in exactly the
same way. The various operations are executed automatically by way of stored computer
programs.
3. Accuracy. High-speed processing by a computer is accompanied by high-accuracy results. A
computer can be considered 100% accurate. The electronic circuitry of computers is such that,
when the machines are fed with correct instructions or data and when the incoming data is error-
free, the accuracy of the output is relatively assured
4. Logical operations. The computer can make a decision based on alternative courses of action.
The decisions of a computer are, however, dependent on the programs prepared for it by the
programmer. A decision consists of two steps, namely:
A. Determining if a certain statement is true or false.
B. Based on the result of the first step, choosing one or the other course of action out of the
alternatives provided in the computer program.
5. Compact Storage. A computer has the ability to store large amounts of data in compact and
easily retrievable form. It can store data at a very high speed.
6. Discipline. Discipline means that a computer can self-check and self-operate. A computer self-
checks when it verifies the accuracy of its own work by means of a parity check. In a parity
check, the computer counts the number of characters it has stored to make sure that there will be
no loss of data during processing. In self-operation, a computer is capable of executing
instructions on its own, without human intervention, once the program and the data are fed into
the computer's memory.
LIMITATION OF COMPUTER
No Self Intelligence
Today, a computer is able to do a work which is impossible for man. Computer used to do risky
and dangerous work where sharp actually needed. But it does not have intelligence of its own. It
works according to the instruction only.
No Decision-Making Power
Computer cannot take any decision of its own. It does only those tasks which are already
instructed to it.
No Learning Power
Once you give instruction to a computer how to perform a task, the very task is cannot perform if
you do not give it any instruction for the next time.
Emotionless
They do not have emotion, like dislike feelings. They are simply machines which work as per the
instruction given to them.

USES OF COMPUTER

Education
Getting the right kind of information is a major challenge as is getting information to make
sense. College students spend an average of 5-6 hours a week on the internet. Research shows
that computers can significantly enhance performance in learning. Students exposed to the
internet say they think the web has helped them improve the quality of their academic research
and of their written work. One revolution in education is the advent of distance learning. This
offers a variety of internet and video-based online courses.
Health and Medicine
Computer technology is radically changing the tools of medicine. All medical information can
now be digitized. Software is now able to computer the risk of a disease. Mental health
researchers are using computers to screen troubled teenagers in need of psychotherapy. A patient
paralyzed by a stroke has received an implant that allows communication between his brain and
a computer; as a result, he can move a cursor across a screen by brainpower and convey simple
messages.
Science
Scientists have long been users of it. A new adventure among scientists is the idea of a
“collaborator”, an internet based collaborative laboratory, in which researchers all over the world
can work easily together even at a distance. An example is space physics where space physicists
are allowed to band together to measure the earth’s ionosphere from instruments on four parts of
the world.
Business
Businesses clearly see the interest as a way to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Some
areas of business that are undergoing rapid changes are sales and marketing, retailing, banking,
stock trading, etc. Sales representatives not only need to be better educated and more
knowledgeable about their customer’s businesses, but also must be comfortable with computer
technology. The internet has become a popular marketing tool. The world of cybercast has come
to banking – not only smart cards but internet banking, electronic deposit, bill paying, online
stock and bond trading, etc.
Recreation and Entertainment
Our entertainment and pleasure-time have also been affected by computerization. For example:
 In movies, computer generated graphics give freedom to designers so that special effects
and even imaginary characters can play a part in making movies, videos, and
commercials.
 In sports, computers compile statistics, sell tickets, create training programs and diets for
athletes, and suggest game plan strategies based on the competitor’s past performance.
 In restaurants, almost everyone has eaten food where the clerk enters an order by
indicating choices on a rather unusual looking cash register; the device directly enters the
actual data into a computer, and calculates the cost and then prints a receipt.
Government
Various departments of the Government use computer for their planning, control and law
enforcement activities. To name a few – Traffic, Tourism, Information & Broadcasting,
Education, Aviation and many others.
Defense:
There are many uses computers in Defense such as:
 Controlling UAV or unmanned air-crafts an example is Predator. If you have cable I
would recommend watching the shows “Future Weapons" and “Modern Marvels". The
show future weapon gives an entire hour to the predator.
 They are also used on Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that uses GPS and
Computers to help the missile get to the target.
 Computers are used to track incoming missiles and help slew weapons systems onto the
incoming target to destroy them.
  Computers are used in helping the military find out where all their assets are (Situational
Awareness) and in Communications/Battle Management Systems.
 Computers are used in the logistic and ordering functions of getting equipments to and
around the battlefield.
 Computers are used in tanks and planes and ships to target enemy forces, help run the
platform and more recently to help diagnose any problems with the platforms.
 Computers help design and test new systems.
Sports
In today's technologically growing society, computers are being used in nearly every activity.
Recording Information
Official statistics keepers and some scouts use computers to record statistics, take notes and chat
online while attending and working at a sports event.
Analyzing Movements
The best athletes pay close attention to detail. Computers can slow recorded video and allow
people to study their specific movements to try to improve their tendencies and repair poor
habits.
Writers
Many sportswriters attend several sporting events a week, and they take their computers with
them to write during the game or shortly after while their thoughts are fresh in their mind.
Scoreboard
While some scoreboards are manually updated, most professional sports venues have very
modern scoreboards that are programmed to update statistics and information immediately after
the information is entered into the computer.
Safety
Computers have aided in the design of safety equipment in sports such as football helmets to
shoes to mouth guards