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How many generations of the computer?

A computer is an electronic machine that operates information; it accepts raw data as an

input and provides a meaningful result after processing. It can be used to edit or create
spreadsheets, presentations, type documents, browse the Web, play games, send an
email, and more.

The generation of computers is based on when major technological changes occur

within the computer, like the employment of the microprocessor, vacuum tubes, and
transistors. The primary generation of this complex system began about 1940, and there
are five generations of the computer till 2020.

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First-generation (1940 - 1956)
The first electronic computer used vacuum tubes as a serious piece of technology that
was ENIAC, which stands for Electronic Numeric Integrated And Calculator, invented by
J.W.Mauchy and J.P.Eckert. From 1940 through 1956, vacuum tubes were widely
employed in computers. The first-generation computers were very large in size and took
up much space in the room because vacuum tubes were larger components used in the
computers. Even some of the first-generation computers were such large in size; they
took up an entire room. It weighed more than 30 tons and included 70,000 resistors,
10,000 capacitors, additionally as approximately 20,000 vacuum tubes. The below picture
is of the vacuum tubes. Some samples of the primary generation of computers are given
below:

UNIVAC

IBM-701

ENIAC

EDVAC

IBM-650

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Advantages of the first-generation computer
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1. These computers were in no time in terms of calculating. They might calculate in

milliseconds.
2. Vacuum tubes are the electronic components available at that time, which were used by
these computers.

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Disadvantages of the first-generation computer
1. These computers' weight was about 30 tones and took up a lot of space as they were very
big in size.
2. These computers were very costly and based on vacuum tubes.
3. Due to the presence of magnetic drums, they were only able to store a small amount of
information.
4. As the first generation of computers were used vacuum tubes, which need a large cooling
system.
5. They consumed a large amount of energy and had less work efficiency.
6. They needed punch cards to give input and had limited programming capabilities.

Second generation (1956 - 1963)

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Instead of vacuum tubes, the second generation of computers was supported

transistors. From 1956 through 1963, transistors were widely utilized within the second
generation of computers. As compared to the primary generation of computers, these
computers were small in size because they used transistors in these generations of
computers that were smaller than vacuum tubes. Also, in terms of speed, the second
generation of computers was faster. And they were cheaper to create. In 1956, computer
TX-0 was introduced, which was the primary computer that used transistors. Some
samples of the second generation of computers are given below:

CDC 3600

Honeywell 400

UNIVAC 1108

IBM 7094

CDC 1604, and many more 

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Advantages of the second generation of computers

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1. The dimensions of the electron component decreased thanks to the existence of

transistors rather than vacuum tubes. Hence, the scale of those computers was small in
size as compared to the previous generation of computers.
2. These computers consumed less energy and did not produce the maximum amount of
heat because of the first generation of computers. 
3. In these computers, punch cards and Assembly language were used to give input.
 4. As compared to the first generation, it had better portability and low cost.
5. Furthermore, these computers were faster in speed as could calculate data in
microseconds.

Disadvantages of the second generation of computers

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1. It required a cooling system and constant maintenance.

2. Also, these computers were used only for a particular objective.

Third generation (1964 - 1971)

The third generation of computers was supported Integrated circuits. In 1958-1959, Jack
Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the IC (Integrated circuit), which was a signal
component that could have a number of transistors. The utilization of Integrated circuits
within the computers made them faster and helped reduce the scale of computers as
compared to second-generation computers.

In the mid to late 1960s, almost all computers have used Integrated circuits. Although
many people considered the time period of the third-generation computer is from 1964
to 1971. Today's computers are still using Integrated circuits. Below, some examples of the
third generation of computers are given:

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 IBM 370

PDP-8

ICL 2900

IBM 360

PDP-11, and many more

Advantages of the third generation of computers

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1. As compared to the second-generation computer, these computers were cheaper in cost.

2. This generation's computers used Integrated circuits that made them small in size. Also,
they were reliable and faster in speed.
3. The use of an Integrated circuit was not only beneficial for reducing the size of the
computer; it also enhances the performance of the computer comparing the second-
generation computer.
4. The third generation of computers introduced a big storage capacity.
5. In these computers, keyboard and mouse were used to give the input rather than punch
cards.
6. These generation computers were much fast in terms of calculation; they decrease the
computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds. 
 7. Furthermore, for better performance, these computers used operating systems and used
multiple programming and the concept of time-sharing.

Disadvantages of the third generation of computers

1. Air conditioning was required by these computers.
2. The manufacturing of IC chips required a highly sophisticated technology; also, IC chips
are not easy to maintain.

Fourth generation (1972 - 2010)

The Microprocessor, commonly called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), was used by the
fourth generation of computers. A microprocessor is used in a computer that led to
makes a computer more powerful and small in size as well as fits easily on a desk. Also,
microprocessors, along with integrated circuits, helped to introduce the laptop. For
providing users more comfort, GUI (Graphics User Interface) technology was exploited.
The IBM 5100, Altair 8800, Micral, and some others are older computers that used a
microprocessor. Although the fourth generation is considered to have ended in 2010, in
modern times, the microprocessor is still in use in computers. The below is of the
microprocessor. Some examples of the fourth-generation computers are given below:

STAR 1000

PUP 11

IBM 4341

DEC 10

Advantages of the fourth generation of computers

1. The first advantage of this generation computer is that the size gets reduced and fastest in
computation, comparing to the previous generation of computer.
2. Its heat generated is negligible and required less maintenance.
3. In these types of computers, all kinds of high-level language can be used.

Disadvantages of the fourth generation of computers

1. The fabrication and design of the microprocessor are not simple. 
 2. In many cases, air conditioning is needed due to the occurrence of Integrated circuits.
3. For making the Integrated circuit, advanced technology is required.

Fifth-generation (2010 to present)

The fifth generation of computers is predicated on artificial intelligence. AI is an
advanced technology that contains various possible applications all over the world. The
primary purpose of this generation of computers is to make a device more capable of
self-organization and learning, including could respond to natural language input. The
ten million electronic components have consisted of the production of a microprocessor
as this generation is based on Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI). Although AI made
computers more powerful, there is still a need for some improvement in the computer.

IBM's Watson is a common example of computers used AI, which was featured as a
contestant on the TV show Jeopardy.Microsoft's Cortana on Windows 8 and Windows 10
computers and. Apple's Siri on the iPhone are some other examples of computers that
used AI. Furthermore, AI is also used in a search engine like Google to process user
searches. Some more examples are:

UltraBook

Chromebook

Desktop

Laptop

NoteBook

Advantages of the fifth generation of computers

1. It has unique features and is available in several sizes.
2. It is more reliable and has the ability to work much faster.
3. It offers computers that have a more friendly UI (User Interface), including multimedia
features.

Disadvantages of the fifth generation of computers

1. In these computers, very low-level languages are required.
2. They may be harmful in terms of making human brains doomed and dull. 
How can be defined as the term generation?

The term "generation" means that the new components and computers are released
with the latest technology. For instance, the two different generations of computer
processors are the Intel Pentium and Intel Pentium II, are both IBM compatible
processor. The Apple II and ENIAC are another example of generations of computers. The
updated generation may include the latest feature and capabilities that make devices
more appropriate as compared to previous generations or make previous generations
incompatible or obsolete.

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