Evolution of Computers [Generations of

Computers]
Computer generation is a classification of computers into different
groups according to their manufacturing date, memory device,
software and hardware technologies. There are five generations of
computers. They are as follow:

1. First Generation (1942-1955)

2. Second Generation (1955-1964)
3. Third Generation (1964-1975)
4. Fourth Generation (1975-1989)
5. Fifth Generation (1989-Present)

. The First Generation Computers (1945-1956 AD)

First-generation computers bore little resemblance to today’s
computers, either in appearance or performance. The first generation
of computers occurred from 1940 AD to 1956 AD and was extremely
large in size. The internal workings of the computers at that time were
unsophisticated. These early machines required vacuum tubes that
worked as switches, amplifiers, and magnetic drums for memory. The
paper tapes and punch cards were used for input and printouts for
output.

Vaccum Tube

The vacuum tubes were primarily responsible for the large size of the
devices and the enormous amounts of heat that they released despite
large cooling units. First-generation computers also used a very basic
programming language that is referred to as machine language.

Features of First Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of first generation computers −

• It was a large mainframe built with vacuum tube technology.

• It occupied large space, was low efficiency and unreliable due to
low accuracy.
• The power consumption was very high, and it produced massive
heat.
• The operation of speed was in milliseconds.
• It was used only for scientific or research purposes.
• Low-level programming language was used in computers.
• They were very slow.

Limitations of First Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of first generation computers −

• The computer needed an air conditioner room, and constant

maintenance.
• They were not portable.
• It was expensive commercial product.
• They have minimum programming capabilities.
• The computers have limited uses only.

Examples of First Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the first generation computer are as follows:

1. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator)

2. EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic)
3. UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computers)
4. IBM-701
5. IBM-650

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) (1943-46

AD)
The Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator (ENIAC) was the
first all-electronic computer. It was constructed at the Moore School of
Engineering of the University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A., by a design
team led by Professors J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator)

The team developed ENIAC because of military needs. It was used for
many years to solve ballistic-related problems. ENIAC took up wall
space in a 20 x 40 square feet room and used 18,000 vacuum tubes. It
could add two numbers in 200 microseconds and multiply them in 2000
microseconds.

EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic) (1946-52 AD)

A major disadvantage of ENIAC was that its programs were wired on
boards which made it difficult to change the programs. Dr. John Von
Neumann later introduced the ―stored program concept that aided
overcome this problem. The basic idea after this concept is that a
sequence of instructions and data can be stored in a computer’s
memory to direct operations flow automatically. This feature largely
influenced the development of modern digital computers because of
how various programs can be loaded and executed on the same
computer. Because of this feature, we usually refer to modern digital
computers as stored-program digital computers.
EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic)

The Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC) used

the stored’ program concept in its design. Von Neumann also has a
share of the credit for introducing the idea of storing both instructions
and data in binary form (a system that uses only two digits – 0 and 1 to
represent all characters), instead of decimal numbers or human-
readable words.

UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computers) (1951)

The Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) was the first digital
computer that was not ―one of a kind. Many UNIVAC machines were
manufactured, the first of which was installed in the Census Bureau in
1951 and was used continually for 10 years.
UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computers)

In 1952, the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation

introduced the IBM-701 commercial computer. In quick succession,
improved models of the UNIVAC I and other IBM 700-series machines
were introduced. In 1953, IBM produced the IBM-650 and sold over
1000 computers.

2. Second Generation Computers (1956-1963 AD)

The interest in computer technology got fast after the first-generation
computers. It was the generation of Transistorized
Computers. Transistors replaced vacuum tubes from the first
generation computers. As a result, first-generation computers were
replaced by second-generation computers.

The transistors were more reliable than vacuum tubes, smaller in size,
faster in speed, and cheap[er than first-generation computers.
Magnetic drums are replaced by magnetic disks and magnetic tape for
secondary storage. As a result, the size of the machines began
shrinking.
Transistors

The first transistorized computer was TX-0. The first large-scale

machines that took advantage of the transistor technology were the
early supercomputers, LARC by Sperry Rand and Stretch by IBM.
These machines were specially developed for atomic energy
laboratories. IBM 1400 and IBM 7000 series, General Electric, and
Honeywell 200 were the typical computers of the second generation.

IBM 1401 was accepted throughout the industry, and most prominent
businesses routinely processed financial information using second-
generation computers. The machine language was replaced by
assembly language. Thus the long and challenging binary code was
replaced with abbreviated programming code, which was relatively
easy to understand.

The programming languages and stored program concept gave the

computers flexibility to be cost-effective and productive for business
use. The stored program concept implied that the instructions to run a
computer for a specific task were held inside the computer’s memory
and could quickly be modified or replaced by a different set of
instructions for a different function.

High-level languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, and AL- GOL were

developed. Computers started finding varied and vast applications.
The entire software industry began with second-generation
computers.
Features of Second Generation Computers
Following are some of the features of second generation computers −

• This generation’s most significant feature was introducing

transistors that make the size smaller than the first-generation
computer.
• The computer was much faster, more reliable, and better speed
and could handle enormous data than first-generation
computers.
• The machine-level language was replaced by assembly
language and machine-independent language such as COBOL
FORTRAN to simplify programming.
• The significant change is in speed from millisecond to
microsecond.
• The computer consumes less electrical power than a first-
generation computer.
• The computer is widely used in commercial areas.

Limitations of Second Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of second generation computers
−

• It still used a cooling system to cool down the computer.

• It needs constant maintenance.
• Punch cards are still used for inputs.
• It was still costly and versatile.

Examples of Second Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the second generation computer are as
follows:

1. IBM 1401 (Used in Bussiness Application)

2. IBM 1620 (Used for Scientific Purposes)
3. CDC 3600 (Used for Scientific Purposes)
4. IBM 7000
5. Honeywell 200

3. Third Generation Computers (1964-1971 AD)

Its period was around 1964 to 1971. Third-generation computers were
characterized by the invention of Integrated Circuits (ICs). IC is a
silicon chip made from quartz where multiple transistors were placed
over it. Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby developed IC at Texas Instrument
in 1958-1959. Later, even more components were rigged onto a single
chip, called a semiconductor. It reduced the size even further in the
third generation computers. Computers’ weight and power
consumption decreased, and the speed boosted.

Integrated Circuit

Operating systems were created, allowing the machine to run many

different programs simultaneously. Multiprogramming was made
possible, whereby the device could perform several jobs
simultaneously.

Computers gained the speed of executing millions of instructions per

second. Commercial production became more accessible and
cheaper. Higher-level languages like Pascal and Report Program
Generator (RPG) were introduced. And applications-oriented
languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, and PL/1 were developed.
Keyboards and mouse were introduced for the input of data. The
monitor was introduced for the output of data.

Features of Third Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of third generation computers −

• IC was used in the computer, replacing transistors.

• The mass audience was using computers.
• The computers were highly reliable, relatively inexpensive,
faster, and more accurate.
• It can be operated with low energy, and maintenance cost was
low also.
 • The keyboard and monitor were introduced for data input and
output.
• It had a more prominent space capacity.
• A computer has more high-level computer language such as
ALGOL-68, FORTRAN-II TO IV, BASIC, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1.
• They were produced commercially and was cheaper than both
generations of computer.

Limitations of Third Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of third generation computers −

• Still, the air conditioner is used for cooling purposes.

• Highly sophisticated technology was required for the
maintenance of the ICS chip.
• For third-generation computers, formal training was needed.

Examples of Third Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the third generation computer are as follows:

1. IBM 360 SERIES

2. IBM 370
3. UNIVAC 1108
4. UNIVAC AC 9000
5. PDP-8, PDP-11
6. ICL 2900 series, and so on.

4. Fourth Generation Computers (1971 – Present)

The fourth-generation computers were developed from 1971 to 1990
AD. The present-day computer we see is the fourth generation of
computers. The third generation computers used Integrated Circuits
with 10-20 components on each chip; this was Small Scale
Integration (SSI). The Fourth Generation acknowledged Large Scale
Integration (LSI), which could hold hundreds of components on one
chip, and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), which embraced
thousand of components on one silicon chip.

The Intel 4004 chip hold all the components of a computer (central
processing unit (CPU), input and output controls, memory unit) on a
single chip called a Microprocessor, and microcomputers were
introduced.
Microprocessor

In this generation, the concept of computer networks and CD-ROMS

come into existence. GUI and pointing devices facilitate easy use and
learning on the computer. Many new operating systems like the MS-
DOS and MS-Windows developed during this time. Computer
production became affordable, and the era of Personal Computers
(PCs) began.

In 1981, IBM introduced its personal computer for home, office, and
schools. In direct competition, the Macintosh was introduced in 1984
by Apple. Shared interactive systems and user-friendly environments
were the features of these computers.

Features of Fourth Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of fourth generation computers −

• Computer sizes change from desktop to laptop and from laptop

to palmtop.
• Electronic Mail (E-mail) and the Internet were developed in this
generation.
• The computer is used for all scientific, engineering, and
commercial purposes.
• On the computer, we can perform multiprocessing and
multitasking.
• The computer has GUI (Graphical User Interface) and is user-
friendly.
 • Multiple high-level languages like PASCAL, BASIC COBOL,
FORTRAN, and C language were developed in this generation of
computers.
• They emerged as single-board computers and a single-chip
processor called Microprocessors.

Limitations of Fourth Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of fourth generation computers −

• They were highly sophisticated.

• The manufacturing of a Very Large-Scale Integration Chip
needed very advanced technology.

Examples of Fourth Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the fourth generation computer are as
follows:

1. MAC Notebook
2. IBM-PC
3. Pentium I, II & III
4. Apple II
5. VAX 9000
6. CRAY 1

5. Fifth Generation Computers (Present – Furture)

Defining the fifth generation of computers is tricky because the field is
still in its infancy. Tomorrow’s computers would be characterized by
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ULSI (Ultra Large-Scale Integration)
technology that can store millions of components in a single chip. An
example of Al is Expert Systems. Computers could be developed to
think and sense much the same way as humans. Computers would be
able to accept verbal words as input (voice recognition).

Numerous advancements in the science of computer design and

technology are coming together to enable the creation of fifth-
generation computers. Two such advances are in superconductor
technology that allows electricity flow with little or no resistance,
significantly enhancing the speed of information flow, and advances
in parallel processing, where many CPUs work as one.

Scientists are now working on fifth-generation computers – a promise

but not yet a reality. They seek to bring us machines with genuine I.Q.,
the ability to reason logically, and real-world knowledge.
Features of Fifth Generation Computers
Following are some of the features of fifth generation computers −

• These machines will incorporate ULSI (Ultra Large Scale

Integration).
• It can perform a large number of parallel processing.
• The speed of this generation of computers is going to be very
high.
• Bio-chips and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) are used as memory
devices.
• The concept of AI (Artificial Intelligence) has been introduced.
• This generation of computers can understand human language
and recognize pictures and graphs.

Limitations of Fifth Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of fifth generation computers −

• The major limitation of this generation is that the computer will

overtake all employment, creating unemployment in the country.
• The highly advanced robots can overtake the world, which leads
to destruction for humans.

Conclusion
The history of computing is a remarkable journey that has transformed
the way we live and work. From the earliest mechanical calculators to
the latest advances in computing and artificial intelligence, computing
has pushed the boundaries of what is possible and transformed society
in countless ways. The ongoing evolution of computing presents both
new opportunities and challenges, and it is up to society as a whole to
ensure that these technologies are used for the benefit of all.