AFRICA MEDICAL COLLEGE

NAME : BEAKAL TSEGAI

DEPARTMENT: DDM
ID NUMBER: DNT/DGR/145/20
IT ASSIGNMENT
Generations of Computer
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. Nowadays, generation includes both
hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.

There are five computer generations. 

First Generation
The period of first generation was from 1946-1959. The computers of first
generation used 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 the installations used to fuse frequently. Therefore,
they were very expensive and only large organizations were able to afford it.

In this generation, mainly batch processing operating system was used.

Punch cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape was used as input and output
devices. The computers in this generation used machine code as the
programming language.
The main features of the first generation are −

 Vacuum tube technology

 Unreliable
 Supported machine language only
 Very costly
 Generated a lot of heat
 Slow input and output devices
 Huge size
 Need of AC
 Non-portable
 Consumed a lot of electricity
Some computers of this generation were −

 ENIAC
 EDVAC
 UNIVAC
 IBM-701
 IBM-650

Second Generation
The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this generation,
transistors were used that 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 the
primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary
storage devices.
In this generation, assembly language and high-level programming
languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch
processing and multiprogramming operating system.

The main features of second generation are −

 Use of transistors
 Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
 Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
 Generated 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
 AC required
 Supported machine and assembly languages
Some computers of this generation were −

 IBM 1620
 IBM 7094
 CDC 1604
 CDC 3600
 UNIVAC 1108

Third Generation
The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The computers of third
generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) in place of transistors. A single IC
has many transistors, resistors, and capacitors along with the associated
circuitry.
The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers
smaller in size, reliable, and efficient. In this generation remote processing,
time-sharing, multiprogramming operating system were used. High-level
languages (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 in comparison to previous two generations
 Smaller size
 Generated less heat
 Faster
 Lesser maintenance
 Costly
 AC required
 Consumed lesser electricity
 Supported high-level language
Some computers 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 from 1971-1980. Computers of fourth
generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits
having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements with 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 high-level languages like C, 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 PCs
 Very small size
 Pipeline processing
 No AC required
 Concept of internet was introduced
 Great developments in the fields of networks
 Computers became easily available
Some computers 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 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, 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 the means and method of making computers think like human
beings. All the high-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
 ChromeBook
Use of computers in Dentistry
1.  collecting, sorting and searching of data- computers have made it really
easy and convenient for collecting sorting and searching the various data they
encounter through their field.

2.  computer appointments and recall- computers increased productivity and

efficiency by appointments and recall systems provided by computers.

3.  computer graphics- has enabled simulation of cosmetic changes to be

presented to the patient with before and after possibilities.

4. Dental cad/cam system-

CAD/CAM refers to the integration of Computer-aided design (CAD) and
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). Both of these require powerful
computers.During the past couple of decades, many advanced chair side and
laboratory CAD/CAM systems were introduced
The CAD/CAM systems consist of three components:
-A digitization tool/scanner that transforms geometry of a real world object
into digital data to enable processing by a computer.
-Software for data processing.
-A technology, which manufactures the desired product from the digitized
data set

5. Computers used in dental radiography- The digital images can be stored

on the computer easily & they can be transferred to different dentists or
orthodontists for referrals,You can enhance the digital image (such as alter
brightness & contrast) with a series of processing techniques, Digital
Radiography helps you in Digital archiving, It produces larger photos to better
source hard-to-see cavities.

Applications of computers in Dentistry

Application of cad/cam system in dentistry include

Prosthodontics
Fabrication of crown and bridge frameworks
Fabrication of custom made abutments for implants
Designing and manufacturing of implant surgical splints
Designing and manufacturing RPD metal frameworks
Designing complete dentures
Virtual articulator which used in many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

Maxillofacial Surgery
Making maxillofacial prosthesis
Orthodontics
Diagnosis and treatment planning
Determining the position of impacted maxillary canines

Administrative application of computers-

Patient appointments & recalls, Correspondence, Billing &
Accounting, Inventory controls & supply orders, Dental insurance
claims, Document preparation & word processing, Referral
information, Missed appointments & follow-ups.