COMPUTER GENERATIONS

The history of the computer goes back several decades however and there are five definable
generations of computers. Each generation is defined by a significant technological development
that changes fundamentally how computers operate – leading to more compact, less expensive,
but more powerful, efficient and robust machines.
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.
Types of Computer Generation and examples

1940 – 1956: First Generation – Vacuum Tubes

The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as a major piece of technology. Vacuum
tubes were widely used in computers from 1940 through 1956. 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. Some of the first generation computers took up an entire room.

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 ENIAC 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. Other examples of first generation computers
include the EDSAC, IBM-650, IBM 701, and Manchester Mark 1.
The two notable machines of this era were the UNIVAC and ENIAC machines – the UNIVAC is
the first ever commercial computer which was purchased in 1951 by a business – the US Census
Bureau.
1956 – 1963: Second Generation – Transistors
The second generation of computers saw the use of transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
Transistors were widely used in computers from 1956 to 1963. Transistors were smaller than
vacuum tubes and allowed computers to be smaller in size, faster in speed, and cheaper to build.

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.

The first computer to use transistors was the TX-0 and was introduced in 1956. Other computers
that used transistors include the IBM 7070, Philco Transac S-1000, Honeywell 400, IBM 7094,CDC
1604 and RCA 501.

1964 – 1971: Third Generation – Integrated Circuits

The third generation of computers introduced the use of IC (integrated circuits) in computers.
Using IC's in computers helped reduce the size of computers even more compared to second-
generation computers, as well as make them faster.

By this phase, transistors were now being miniaturized(reduced) 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(rise) 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.

Nearly all computers since the mid to late 1960s have utilized IC's. While the third generation is
considered by many people to have spanned from 1964 to 1971, IC's are still used in computers
today. Over 45 years later, today's computers have deep roots going back to the third generation.

As a result of these advances which again made machines cheaper and smaller, a new mass
market of users emerged during the ‘60s. Some examples are: PDP-8, PDP-11, ICL 2900, IBM 360
and IBM 370.
1972 – 2010: Fourth Generation – Microprocessors
The fourth generation of computers took advantage of the invention of the microprocessor,
more commonly known as a CPU. Microprocessors, 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 computers still use a microprocessor, despite the fourth generation being
considered to have ended in 2010.
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

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.

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.
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 engine also utilizes AI to process user searches.

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. Some Basic examples of 5th Generation computers include; Desktop, Laptop,
NoteBook, UltraBook, Chromebook, etc.
The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.

2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not
paid.
7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without
authorization or proper compensation.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are
writing or the system you are designing.
10. Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and
respect for your fellow humans.
TYPES OF COMPUTER SOFTWARES
Software is the language of a computer. And like human language, there are many
different computer languages. Essentially, computer software can be divided into
three main groups depending on their use and application. These are system
software or operating system referred simply as the OS, application software and
programming languages. Usually most of us interact with a computer using
application software.
1. System Software: System software or operating system is the software used by
the computer to translate inputs from various sources into a language which a
machine can understand. Basically, the OS coordinates the different hardware
components of a computer. There are many OS in the market. The most popular
OS are from the stable of Microsoft. We have all heard, used and wondered at the
Windows software, which is an OS. Starting with Windows, Microsoft has migrated
to Vista, its latest offering in the market. It may come as a surprise to some that
there are other operating systems used by others. Among these UNIX is used for
large office setups with extensive networking. XENIX is software which has now
become redundant. HP -UX and AIX are some operating systems used by HP
computers. Apache OS is quite popular with web servers. IBM still uses proprietary
operating systems for its main frames. Proprietary systems are generally built with
the help of a variant of UNIX operating system.

2. Application software: A normal user rarely gets to see the operating system or
to work with it. But all of us are familiar with application software which we must
use to interact with a computer. Popular examples of application software are the
Microsoft office suite which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. We have used
these applications extensively. Internet explorer, Mozilla Firefox is two applications
used to access the internet. E-mail software like Outlook express is used to manage
Emails. It is obvious that all software utilized for working on a computer is classified
as application software. In fact, all user interfaces are an application. The anti-virus
is an application and so is the Media player.