8/28/24, 11:56 AM Generations of Computers - Computer Fundamentals

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Generations of Computers – Computer

Fundamentals
Last Updated : 29 Nov, 2023
Generations of Computer: The modern computer took its shape with the
arrival of your time. It had been around the 16th century when the evolution of
the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for
the betterment. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accuracy, size,
and price to urge the form of the fashionable day computer.

Basic Terms Related to Computers

The basic terms related to generations of computers are listed below.

1. Vacuum Tube: Vacuum tubes have the functionality of controlling the flow
of electronics in a vacuum. Generally, it is used in switches, amplifiers,
radios, televisions, etc.
2. Transistor: A transistor helps in controlling the flow of electricity in devices,
it works as an amplifier or a switch.
3. Integrated Circuit (IC): Integrated circuits are silicon chips that contain their
circuit elements like transistors, resistors, etc.
4. Microprocessors: Microprocessors are the components that contain the CPU
and its circuits and are present in the Integrated Circuit.
5. Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is called the brain of the
computer. CPU performs processing and operations work.
6. Magnetic Drum: Magnetic Drum is like a cylinder that stores data and
cylinder.
7. Magnetic Core: Magnetic cores are used to store information. These are
arrays of small rings.
8. Machine Language: Machine Language is the language that a computer
accepts (in the form of binary digits). It is also called low-level programming
language.

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9. Memory: Memory is used to store data, information, and program in a

computer.
10. Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence deals with creating intelligent
machines and behaviors.

Phases of Computer Generations

This long period is often conveniently divided into the subsequent phases
called computer generations.

First Generation Computers (1940-1956)

Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)
Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)
Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present)
Fifth Generation Computers (Present and Beyond)

Generations of Time-Period Evolving Hardware

Computer

First Generation 1940s – 1950s Vacuum Tube Based

Second Generation 1950s – 1960s Transistor Based

Third Generation 1960s – 1970s Integrated Circuit Based

Fourth Generation 1970s – Present Microprocessor Based

Artificial Intelligence
Fifth Generation Present – Future
Based

Before the generation of computers, we used calculators, spreadsheets, and

computer algebra systems, mathematicians and inventors searched for
solutions to ease the burden of calculation.

Below are the 8 Mechanical Calculators before modern computers were

invented.

1. Abacus (ca. 2700 BC)

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2. Pascal’s Calculator (1652)

3. Stepped Reckoner (1694)
4. Arithmometer (1820)
5. Comptometer (1887) and Comptograph (1889)
6. The Difference Engine (1822)
7. Analytical Engine (1834)
8. The Millionaire (1893)

First Generation Computers

The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass
device, which was called a vacuum tube. These computers were very heavy
and really large. These weren’t very reliable and programming on them was a
tedious task as they used low-level programming language and used no OS.
First-generation computers were used for calculation, storage, and control
purpose. They were too bulky and large that they needed a full room and
consume a lot of electricity. Punch cards were used for improving the
information for external storage. Magnetic card used . Machine and assembly
language is developed.

Examples of some main first-generation computers are mentioned below.

ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper

Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been
cumbersome, and large, and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes.
EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was designed by
von Neumann. It could store data also as instruction and thus the speed was
enhanced.
UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computer was developed in 1952 by Eckert
and Mauchly.

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Vacuum Tube

Characteristics of First-Generation Computers

Characteristics Components

Main electronic component Vacuum tube.

Programming language Machine language.

Main memory Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums.

Input/output devices Paper tape and punched cards.

Very slow and very large (often taking

Speed and size
up an entire room).

IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1,

Examples of the first generation
etc.

Second Generation Computers

Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than

bulky vacuum tubes. Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be

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a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a sign or opens or

closes a circuit.

Transistors were invented in Bell Labs. The use of transistors made it possible
to perform powerfully and with due speed. It reduced the dimensions and price
and thankfully the warmth too, which was generated by vacuum tubes. Central
Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language, and input, and output
units also came into the force within the second generation.

The programming language was shifted from high level to programming

language and made programming comparatively a simple task for
programmers. Languages used for programming during this era were
FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959).

Transistor

Characteristics of Second-Generation Computers

Characteristics Components

Main electronic component Transistor.

Machine language and assembly

Programming language
language.

Memory Magnetic core and magnetic tape/disk.

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Characteristics Components

Input/output devices Magnetic tape and punched cards.

Smaller in size, had low power

consumption, and generated less heat
Power and size
(in comparison with the first-generation
computers).

PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 and

Examples of the second generation
7094, UNIVAC 1107, CDC 3600, etc.

Third Generation Computers

During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors
to integrated circuits, also referred to as IC. Here a variety of transistors were
placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors. The most feature of this era’s
computer was speed and reliability. IC was made from silicon and also called
silicon chips.

The computer programs was designed to make the machine work. Operating
system was a program designed to handle a machine completely. Because of
the operating system machine could execute multiple jobs simultaneously.
Integrated circuits were used to replace many transistors used in the second
generation.

A single IC has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on one thin
slice of silicon. The value size was reduced and memory space and dealing
efficiency were increased during this generation. Programming was now wiped
out Higher level languages like BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic
Instruction Code). Minicomputers find their shape during this era.

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Integrated Circuit

Characteristics of Third-Generation Computers

Characteristics Components

Main electronic component Integrated circuits (ICs).

Programming language High-level language.

Large magnetic core, magnetic

Memory
tape/disk.

Magnetic tape, monitor, keyboard,

Input/output devices
printer, etc.

IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, NCR 395,

Examples of the third generation
B6500, UNIVAC 1108, etc.

Fourth Generation Computers

In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large-scale of integration LSI

circuits built on one chip called microprocessors. The advantage of this
technology is that one microprocessor can contain all the circuits required to

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perform arithmetic, logic, and control functions on one chip. LSI placed
thousands of transistors onto a single chip.

The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation

provided even smaller size of computers, with larger capacities. That’s not
enough, then Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced LSI circuits.
The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the pc
from the central processing unit and memory to input/ output controls on one
chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce drastically. VLSI placed several
hundred thousand transistors on a single silicon chip. This silicon chip is known
as the micro processor.

Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating

speed, and virtual memory made it a more user-friendly and customary device.
The concept of private computers and computer networks came into being
within the fourth generation.

Microprocessor

Characteristics of Fourth-Generation Computers

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Characteristics Components

Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) and

the microprocessor (VLSI has
Main electronic component
thousands of transistors on a single
microchip).

semiconductor memory (such as RAM,

Memory
ROM, etc.).

pointing devices, optical scanning,

Input/output devices
keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.

IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple

Examples of the fourth generation
Macintosh, Alter 8800, etc.

Fifth Generation Computers

The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows

computers to behave like humans. It is often seen in programs like voice
recognition, area of medicine, and entertainment. Within the field of game
playing also it’s shown remarkable performance where computers are capable
of beating human competitors.

The speed is the highest, size is the smallest and area of use has remarkably
increased within the fifth generation computers. Though not a hundred percent
AI has been achieved to date but keeping in sight the present developments, it
is often said that this dream also will become a reality very soon.

To summarize the features of varied generations of computers, it is often said

that a big improvement has been seen so far because of the speed and
accuracy of functioning care, but if we mention the dimensions, it’s been small
over the years. The value is additionally diminishing and reliability is increasing.

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AI-Based Computers

Characteristics of Fifth-Generation Computers

Characteristics Components

Based on artificial intelligence, uses the

Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI)
technology and parallel processing
method (ULSI has millions of
Main electronic component
transistors on a single microchip and
the Parallel processing method use two
or more microprocessors to run tasks
simultaneously).

Understand natural language (human

Language
language).

Size Portable and small in size.

Trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen,

pen, speech input (recognize
Input/output device
voice/speech), light scanner, printer,
keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc.

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