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Computer Generations: 1940 - 1956: First Generation - Vacuum Tubes

The document outlines the 5 generations of computers: [1] First generation (1940-1956) used vacuum tubes, were room-sized, and relied on punched cards. Notable machines included UNIVAC and ENIAC. [2] Second generation (1956-1963) replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, making computers smaller, faster, and more efficient. Programming languages evolved from machine language to symbolic languages like assembly. [3] Third generation (1964-1971) used integrated circuits, enabling interaction via keyboards and monitors instead of punch cards. This allowed running multiple applications simultaneously.

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Muhammed Afnan
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333 views

Computer Generations: 1940 - 1956: First Generation - Vacuum Tubes

The document outlines the 5 generations of computers: [1] First generation (1940-1956) used vacuum tubes, were room-sized, and relied on punched cards. Notable machines included UNIVAC and ENIAC. [2] Second generation (1956-1963) replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, making computers smaller, faster, and more efficient. Programming languages evolved from machine language to symbolic languages like assembly. [3] Third generation (1964-1971) used integrated circuits, enabling interaction via keyboards and monitors instead of punch cards. This allowed running multiple applications simultaneously.

Uploaded by

Muhammed Afnan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer Generations

There are basically 5 Generations of computers, given below:

1940 – 1956:  First Generation – Vacuum Tubes:

These early computers used vacuum tubes as circuitry and magnetic drums for
memory. As a result they were enormous, literally taking up entire rooms and costing a
fortune to run. These were inefficient materials which generated a lot of heat, sucked
huge electricity and subsequently generated a lot of heat which caused ongoing
breakdowns.

These first generation computers relied on ‘machine language’ (which is the most basic
programming language that can be understood by computers). These computers were
limited to solving one problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper
tape. Output came out on print-outs. The two notable machines of this era were the
UNIVAC and ENIAC machines – the UNIVAC is the first every commercial computer
which was purchased in 1951 by a business – the US Census Bureau.

1956 – 1963: Second Generation – Transistors:

The replacement of vacuum tubes by transistors saw the advent of the second
generation of computing. Although first invented in 1947, transistors weren’t used
significantly in computers until the end of the 1950s. They were a big improvement over
the vacuum tube, despite still subjecting computers to damaging levels of heat.
However they were hugely superior to the vacuum tubes, making computers smaller,
faster, cheaper and less heavy on electricity use. They still relied on punched card for
input/printouts.

The language evolved from cryptic binary language to symbolic (‘assembly’) languages.
This meant programmers could create instructions in words. About the same time high
level programming languages were being developed (early versions of COBOL and
FORTRAN). Transistor-driven machines were the first computers to store instructions
into their memories – moving from magnetic drum to magnetic core ‘technology’. The
early versions of these machines were developed for the atomic energy industry.

1964 – 1971: Third Generation – Integrated Circuits:

By this phase, transistors were now being miniaturised and put on silicon chips (called
semiconductors). This led to a massive increase in speed and efficiency of these
machines.  These were the first computers where users interacted using keyboards and
monitors which interfaced with an operating system, a significant leap up from the
punch cards and printouts. This enabled these machines to run several applications at
once using a central program which functioned to monitor memory.
As a result of these advances which again made machines cheaper and smaller, a new
mass market of users emerged during the ‘60s.

1972 – 2010: Fourth Generation – Microprocessors:

This revolution can be summed in one word: Intel. The chip-maker developed the Intel
4004 chip in 1971, which positioned all computer components (CPU, memory,
input/output controls) onto a single chip. What filled a room in the 1940s now fit in the
palm of the hand. The Intel chip housed thousands of integrated circuits. The year 1981
saw the first ever computer (IBM) specifically designed for home use and 1984 saw the
MacIntosh introduced by Apple. Microprocessors even moved beyond the realm of
computers and into an increasing number of everyday products.

The increased power of these small computers meant they could be linked, creating
networks. Which ultimately led to the development, birth and rapid evolution of the
Internet. Other major advances during this period have been the Graphical user
interface (GUI), the mouse and more recently the astounding advances in lap-top
capability and hand-held devices.

2010-  : Fifth Generation – Artificial Intelligence:

Computer devices with artificial intelligence are still in


development, but some of these technologies are beginning to emerge and be used
such as voice recognition.

AI is a reality made possible by using parallel processing and superconductors. Leaning


to the future, computers will be radically transformed again by quantum computation,
molecular and nano technology.

The essence of fifth generation will be using these technologies to ultimately create
machines which can process and respond to natural language, and have capability to
learn and organise themselves.

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