University of Nigeria

Department of Architecture
ARC 172

GENERATIONS AND CLASSES

OF COMPUTERS

NWOKORO P. N.
ODEH E.
ODOH J. S.
OGBUH K. C.
OHAERI B. D
 UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

(A Term paper submitted in partial fulfilment of the course ARC 172- Computer Application
in Architecture I)

BY
GROUP 10

LECTURERS
Arc. Andy Nkemjika
Arc. Okere Chimene

MAY 2018
 Generations & Classes Of Computers

GROUP 10 MEMBERS
NWOKORO PETER N. 2017/242790

ODEH EMMANUEL 2017/247264

ODOH JOHNSON S. 2017/243880

OGBUH KINGSLEY C. 2017/243876

OHAERI BLOSSOM D. 2017/242788

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 Generations & Classes Of Computers

DEDICATION
We dedicate this work to the Almighty God, who knows the end from the
beginning. We also dedicate it to past inventors who contributed to the
development of computers.

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 Generations & Classes Of Computers

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, we thank God Almighty for inspiration, guidance and
for making this work a reality.

We also appreciate our lectures, Mrs.Andy and Mr. Okere for such
opportunity they have given us to embark on this project.

We also use this medium to thank Charles and Bassey for the little help they
offered. May God bless you all.

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 Generations & Classes Of Computers

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Group 10 members . . . . . . . . i

Dedication . . . . . . . . . . ii

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . iii

Table of contents . . . . . . . . . iv

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . . . . . 1

CLASSES OF COMPUTER . . . . . . . 1

1.1 Based on Size . . . . . . . . . 1

1.2 Based on Usage . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Based on Functions . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Based on Type . . . . . . . . 3
1.5 Based on Number of users . . . . . . . 3
1.6 Based on Area of application . . . . . . 3
1.7 Based on number of microprocessors . . . . . 4
1.8 Based on Generations . . . . . . . 4

CHAPTER TWO: GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER . . . 5

2.1 First Generation of Computer . . . . . . 5

2.2 Second Generation of Computer . . . . . . 6
2.3 Third Generation of Computer . . . . . . 7
2.4 Fourth Generation of Computer . . . . . . 7
2.5 Fifth Generation of Computer . . . . . . 8
CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . 10

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . 11

References . . . . . . . . . . 12

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Computers are devices made up of many parts and each of these can be
considered a separate invention. The Computers we see today are all as a result
of technological advancements/developments. Listed below are some notable
people who made vital contributions to the developments of computers:-

 Von Neumann- Introduced the concept of stored program by around the same
time and the first digital computer using program.
 Herman Hollerith- Invented the punched card.
 Charles Babbage- Invented the analytical engine, a general-purpose
programmable computer.
 Alan Turing- Developed the turing test, a test of a machine's ability to exhibit
intelligent behaviour equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human.
 Konrad Zuse- Invented the first freely programmable computer, Z1.
 John Backus- Along-side with IBM, developed the first successful high level
programming language, FORTRAN.

There are various kinds of computers which serve different purposes due to their
sizes, capabilities and features. Discussed in this work are these various types
according to their classifications.

Classes of Computers
According to TechMits (2017), classification of computers can be done based on
size, usage, functions, number of users, area of application, number of
microprocessors and generations.

1.1 Based on Size

a. Super Computers: Used in scientific research, statistical analysis,

and nuclear simulations.
b. Mainframe Computers: Larger, can handle multiple users at a time and can
access and handle the massive amount of data.
c. Mini Computers: Smaller and handles less multiple users at a time than
Mainframe Computer.

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d. Micro Computers: Known as the personal computer (PC) and widely used
as the single user computer.

1.2 Based on Usage

a. Public Computer: Used basically in cyber cafes, institutions, customer care

or showroom. It contains some essential software that makes it functional.
b. Personal Computer: Most popular and widely used computer. It is medium
performed and can do all types of work which is needed to do from the home.
c. Shared Computer: Used by a set of people who have special username and
passwords to maintain the privacy and security. Mainly, it is used on the
workstation or laboratory.
d. Display Computer: Generally used to display or inform services of a
company. Also used to make slideshow or presentation of the service.

1.3 Based on Functions

a. Server computers: Created to provide some special services including

database server, file server or web server where it performs.
b. Virtual Machines Computers: Used to access different types of application
through some specialized hardware.
c. Workstation computers: Performs special industrial tasks by the use of
some special software.

Fig. 1.1: Workstation computers

(Source: James, 2017)
d. Information Appliances: Has the capability to perform some special tasks
which include text editing, photo editing or playing music.
e. Embedded Computers: Used to do some works and the program are kept
on non-volatile memory. It has no need reset or reboot. It can do the task
simultaneously with the previous program. Example: DVD Player and
Washing machine.

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1.4 Based on Type

a. Digital Computers
b. Analogue Computers
c. Hybrid Computers: Combination of analogue and digital
computers.

1.5 Based on the number of users

The computer can be classified according to the word length

and it depends on the BIT. We range it by making 16-bit and
Fig. 1.2: Analogue
64-bit. At the same time, we can divide the computers Computer
according to the number of users.
a. Single Users
b. Multi-Users

Fig. 1.3: Multi-user system

c. Network: This class works by networking and it is connected to the network;

for workstation or laboratory and even now in the official uses, this system is
used worldwide.

1.6 Based on Area of Application

According to the area of application, we can classify the computer into 2 types:-
a. General-purpose Computers
b. Special-purpose Computers

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Fig. 1.4: A Special purpose Computer

1.7 Based on the Number of Microprocessors

Here the computer is classified according to the number of microprocessors. We

see the single processor computer and multiple processor computers. Let’s see
the reasons.
a. Sequential computers: Uses one microprocessor only. Most of the available
computers are sequential computers.
b. Parallel computers: Uses more than one processor. It is very fast and is used
for the scientific or special purposes.

1.8 Based on Generation

With the passes of time, the generation of computers has changed. Mainly the
changes in technology and hardware bring the next generation computers.
According to Vangie (2010), there are five generation of computers which
include:-
a. First Generation: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)
b. Second Generation: Transistors (1956-1963)
c. Third Generation: Integrated Circuits (1964-1971)
d. Fourth Generation: Microprocessors (1971-Present)
e. Fifth Generation: Artificial Intelligence (Present and Beyond)
In the next chapter we shall discuss elaborately on these generations of computer.

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CHAPTER TWO
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer
is/was being used. (TutorialsPoint, 2018)

Each one of the five generations of computers is characterized by a major

technological development which changed the way computers operate.
Following are the five generations of computer:-

2.1 The First Generation of Computer (1940-1956): Vacuum-

tube-based

Robers (1995) stated that the first generation

computers used Vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic
drums for memory and were often enormous, taking an
entire room. Vacuum tube was invented in 1939 by John
Ambrose Fleming.

They were very expensive to operate so just little

Fig. 2.1: A Vacuum tube
amount of people used it. In addition to using a great deal
(Dhiraj, 2010)
of electricity, it generated a lot of heat, which was often
cause of malfunction. (Vangie, 2010)

These computers used the lowest level of programming language and they
could not solve more than one problem at once. Input was based on punch cards
and paper type, while output was based on printouts. (Robers, 1995)

Examples are:-
1. ENIAC (1946)
2. EDSAC (1949) Fig. 2.2: A First
generation computer
3. EDVAC (1950)
(Source: Umar, 2016)
4. UNIVAC-1 (1951)
5. Manchester Mark I

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2.2 The Second Generation of Computers (1956-1963):

Transistor-based

Vangie (2010) stated that the transistor was invented in 1947 at AT&T Bell
Laboratories but wasn’t seen in computers widespread until the late 1950s. Umme
(2016) specified that it was invented by William Shockley, John Bardeen and
Walter Brattain H.
Vangie (2010) also added that the transistors being far
superior to the vacuum tube allowed computers to be
smaller, faster, cheaper and more energy-efficient than their
first generation predecessors.

Though the computers still generated a great deal of

heat that subjected it to damage and still relied on punch
cards for input and printouts for output, they were the first
Fig. 2.3: A Transistor computers that stored their instructions in their memory
(Dhiraj, 2010) which moved from magnetic drum to magnetic core
technology. (Vangie, 2010)

According to Umar (2016), the characteristics of this generation are:-

1. More reliable than 1st generation computers
2. Used assembly languages
3. Improved accuracy
4. Data calculated in microseconds
5. Costly
6. Air Condition needed
7. Maintenance required
8. Heating issues existed

Examples are:- Fig. 2.4: Second Generation

IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, computer (TutorialsPoint, 2018)
UNIVAC 1108

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2.3 The Third Generation Computers (1964-1971): Integrated

circuit

According to EntranceGeek (2017), the third

generation of computer used integrated circuit (IC)
which had several transistors, mounted through small
scale integration (SSI). This resulted in decrease in
overall size and phenomenal increase in speed. Hasnat
(2017) stated that the integrated circuit was invented Fig 2.5: An Integrated
separately by Jack Kilby while working at Texas circuit (Source: Dhiraj, 2010)
Instruments and Robert Noyce in 1958.

The third generation of computers is less

expensive compared to computers of the
previous generations and thus became
accessible for masses. They used keyboard
and monitor instead of punched cards and
printout. Also they used high level
programming language such as FORTRAN
and COBOL. They were used for database
Fig 2.6: A Third Generation computer management, automatic industrial control,
(TutorialsPoint, 2018) airline reservation, etc. (EntranceGeek, 2017)

Examples of the third generation of computer include:-

IBM 360 series, Honeywell-6000 series, PDP (Personal Data Processor),
IBM-370/168, TDC-316.

2.4 The Fourth Generation Computers (1971-present):

Microprocessor-based

The fourth generation computers were built in

1971. They were the extension of the third
generation technology. Dhiraj (2010) stated that
the fourth generation computers emerged with
development of the VLSI (Very Large Scale
Fig. 2.7: Microprocessor Integration). With the help of VLSI technology,
(Source: Dhiraj, 2010) microprocessor, a silicon chip containing millions

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of transistors came into existence. The very first microprocessor, Intel 4004 was
produced by Ted Hoff in 1971.

Dhiraj (2010) also stated that the computers were designed by using a
microprocessor, as thousands of integrated circuits were built into a single silicon
chip. The computers became more powerful, compatible, reliable and affordable.
As a result, they give rise to PC revolution.

In 1981, IBM introduced its computer for the home user and in 1984, Apple
introduced the Macintosh microprocessor.

Characteristics of the fourth generation

1. Have microprocessor-based systems.

2. Compact design.
3. Improved speed, accuracy and reliability.
4. Many high level languages were developed
such as COBOL, FORTAN, PASCAL,
BASIC and C++.
5. Further refinement of input/output devices
was developed. Fig. 2.8: A Fourth Generation
6. Networking between systems developed.
computer (GeneralNote, 2018)
IBM PC, DEC 10, STAR 1000, VAX 9000 and
APPLE II are the examples of fourth generation computers.

2.5 The Fifth Generation

Computers (Present and beyond)

According to Dhiraj (2010), fifth

generation computers are in developmental
stage which is based on the artificial
intelligence. The goal of the fifth generation
is to develop the device which could respond
to natural language input and are capable of
learning and self-organization.

In this generation, VLSI technology Fig. 2.10: A Fifth Generation

became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) Computer (TutorialsPoint, 2018)
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technology, which led to the creation of microprocessors with ten million

electronic components. (TutorialsPoint, 2018)

Tutorials point (2018) stated that this generation has its foundation on parallel
processing hardware and AI (Artificial intelligence) software. AI is an evolving
branch in computer science, which explains how to make computers think like
humans. C++, Java, Net, etc are all high-level languages used in this generation.
(Tutorials point, 2018)

According to TutorialsPoint (2018), AI include:-

 Neural networks
 Game playing
 Robotics
 Development of expert systems to make
judgements in real-life situations.
 Normal language comprehension and
generation.

Characteristics (TutorialsPoint, 2018)

1. ULSI technology
2. Development of true man-made intelligence.
3. Better user-approachable interfaces with Fig. 2.9: A Robot - AI
multimedia characteristics. (Source: Dhiraj, 2018)
4. Improvement in parallel processing.
5. Powerful compact computer at affordable rates.
6. Aims at being able to solve highly complex problem including decision
making, logical reasoning.

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Conclusion
Over the years, computer has advanced, making things a lot easier for humans.
Each generation is an advancement of the preceding generation thus all the
numerous inventions in the technology world contribute to the computers we
have now. Though there are some speculations about the fifth generation and its
inventions, we have looked at the various features which is the reason for this
work.

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GLOSSARY
AI - Artificial Intelligence
BASIC - Beginners’ All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code
COBOL - Common Business Oriented Language
EDSAC - Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator
EDVAC - Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
ENIAC - Electronic Numerical Integrator and calculator
FORTRAN - Formula Translation
IBM - International Business Machines
PC - Personal Computer
ULSI - Ultra Large Scale Integrator
UNIVAC - Universal Automatic Computer
VLSI - Very Large Scale Integrator

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