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Intro To Computing

There are five generations of computers defined based on the underlying hardware technology used. The first generation used vacuum tubes, the second used transistors, the third used integrated circuits, the fourth used very large scale integrated circuits, and the fifth generation uses ultra large scale integrated circuits and focuses on parallel processing and artificial intelligence. Each generation saw improvements in reliability, size, cost, and performance of computers.

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51 views

Intro To Computing

There are five generations of computers defined based on the underlying hardware technology used. The first generation used vacuum tubes, the second used transistors, the third used integrated circuits, the fourth used very large scale integrated circuits, and the fifth generation uses ultra large scale integrated circuits and focuses on parallel processing and artificial intelligence. Each generation saw improvements in reliability, size, cost, and performance of computers.

Uploaded by

Jacob Frost
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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KIMBERLY G.

QUITIL
CCS 1B
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

Computer Generations
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.
There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in
detail along with their time period, characteristics. We've used approximate dates against each generations
which are normally accepted.

First Generation
The period of first generation was 1942-1954.

First generation of computer started with using vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory
and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes like electric bulbs produced a lot of heat and were
prone to frequent fusing of the installations, 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.

The main features of First Generation


are:
Vacuum tube technology
Unreliable
Supported Machine language only
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 1952-1964.

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 vacuum 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.

The main features of Second Generation are:


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 assembly 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 1964-1972.

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.

The main features of Third Generation are:


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 1972-1990.

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.

The main features of Fourth Generation are:


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 1990-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.
AI includes:
Robotics
Neural networks
Game Playing
Development of expert systems to make decisions in real life situations.
Natural language understanding and generation.

The main features of Fifth Generation are:


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 types of this generation are:


Desktop
Laptop
NoteBook
UltraBook

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