GeGENGENERATION

S OF COMPUTERS

Generation Of
Computers
- J. FEBI REENA

What is a computer?
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as an input from
the user and processes it under the control of a set of instructions (called
program), produces a result (output), and saves it for future use. This tutorial
explains the foundational concepts of computer hardware, software, operating
systems, peripherals, etc. along with how to get the most value and impact from
computer technology.

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CONTENTS

 Functionalities of a Computer -3

 Advantages & Disadvantages of Computers -4

 Advantages of computers -4

 Disadvantages of computers -6

 Generations of Computers -7

 First generation of computer -8

 Second generation of computer -9

 Third generation of computer - 10

 Fourth generation of computer - 11

 Fifth generation of computer -12

 Application of Computers in Various Fields - 13

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Functionalities Of A Computer

There are three basic functionalities of a Computer System and

they are:
1. Input
2. Process
3. Output

But if we look at it in a very broad sense, any digital computer carries out the following five
functions:
Step 1 - Takes data as input.
Step 2 - Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.
Step 3 - Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
Step 4 - Generates the output.
Step 5 - Controls all the above four steps.

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Advantages & Disadvantages Of Computers

Advantages of Computers

Following are certain advantages of computers.

1. High Speed
• Computer is a very fast device.
• It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
• The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the
picosecond.
• It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who
will spend many months to perform the same task.

2. Accuracy
• In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
• The calculations are 100% error free.
• Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is
correct.

3. Storage Capability
• Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
• A computer has much more storage capacity than human
beings.
• It can store large amount of data.
• It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.

4. Diligence
• Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
• It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
• It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.

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5. Versatility

• A computer is a very versatile machine.

• A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.

• This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.

• At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next

moment it may be playing a card game.

6. Reliability

• A computer is a reliable machine.

• Modern electronic components have long lives.

• Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.

Automation

• Computer is an automatic machine.

• Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the

computer receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory,
then the program and instruction can control the program execution without
human interaction. Reduction in Paper Work and Cost.

• The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in

paper work and results in speeding up the process.

• As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of

maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.

• Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially

reduces the cost of each of its transaction.

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Disadvantages of Computers
Following are certain disadvantages of computers.

1. No I.Q.

• A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.

• Each instruction has to be given to the computer.

• A computer cannot take any decision on its own.

2. Dependency

• It functions as per the user’s instruction; thus, it is fully dependent on

humans.

3. Environment

• The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.

4. No Feeling

• Computers have no feelings or emotions.

• It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge

unlike humans.

Generations of Computers
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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 known till date. Each generation has been
discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics. In the following
table, approximate dates against each generation have been mentioned, which are
normally accepted.

Following is the main five generations of computers.

First Generation Computers

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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
• Generates lot of heat
• Slow input and output devices
• Huge size
• Need of AC
• Non-portable
• Consumes lot of electricity

Some computers of this generation were:

• ENIAC
• EDVAC
• UNIVAC
• IBM-701
• IBM-750

Second Generation Computers

The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this
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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
• Generates 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 Computers

The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The

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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, multi-programming 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 Computers

The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers of

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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 Computers

The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation,

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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.

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

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Application of Computers in Various Fields

Business

A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence, accuracy,

reliability, or versatility which has made it an integrated part in all

business organizations.

Computer is used in business organizations for:

• Payroll Calculations

• Budgeting

• Sales Analysis

• Managing Employee Database

• Maintenance of stocks, etc.

Banking

Today, banking is almost totally dependent on computers.

Banks provide the following facilities:

• Online accounting facility, which includes checking current balance, making deposits

and overdrafts, checking interest charges, shares, and trustee records.

• ATM machines which are completely automated are making it even easier for
customers to deal with banks.

Insurance
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Insurance companies are keeping all records up-to-date with the

help of computers. Insurance companies, stock broking firms are widely using

computers for their concerns.

Insurance companies are maintaining a database of all clients with information showing:

• Procedure to continue with policies

• Starting date of the policies

• Next due installment of a policy

• Maturity date

• Interests due

• Survival benefits

• Bonus

Education

The computer helps in providing a lot of facilities in the education system.

• The computer provides a tool in the education system known as CBE (Computer
Based Education).

• CBE involves control, delivery, and evaluation of learning.

• Computer education is rapidly increasing the graph of number of computer

students.

• There are a number of methods in which educational institutions can use a

computer to educate the students.

• It is used to prepare a database about performance of a student and analysis is

carried out on this basis.

Marketing

In marketing, uses of the computer are following:

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• Advertising - With computers, advertising professionals create art and

graphics, write and revise copy, and print and disseminate ads with the

goal of selling more products.

• Home Shopping - Home shopping has been made possible through the use of
computerized catalogues that provide access to product information and permit
direct entry of orders to be filled by the customers.

Healthcare

Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs, and dispensaries. They
are being used in hospitals to keep the record of patients and medicines. It is also used in
scanning and diagnosing different diseases. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc. are
also done by computerized machines.

Following are some major fields of health care in which computers are used:

• Diagnostic System - Computers are used to collect data and identify the cause of

illness.

• Lab-diagnostic System - All tests can be done and the reports are prepared by

computer.

• Patient Monitoring System - These are used to check the patient's signs for
abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG, etc.

• Pharma Information System - Computer is used to check drug labels, expiry dates,

harmful side effects, etc.

• Surgery - Nowadays, computers are also used in performing surgery.

Engineering Design

Computers are widely used for Engineering purpose. One of

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the major areas is CAD (Computer Aided Design) that provides creation

and modification of images.

Some of the fields are:

• Structural Engineering - Requires stress and strain analysis for design of

ships, buildings, budgets, airplanes, etc.

• Industrial Engineering - Computers deal with design, implementation, and

improvement of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment.

• Architectural Engineering - Computers help in planning towns, designing buildings,

determining a range of buildings on a site using both 2D and 3D drawings.

Military

Computers are largely used in defense. Modern tanks, missiles, weapons, etc. Military also

employs computerized control systems.

Some military areas where a computer has been used are:

• Missile Control

• Military Communication

• Military Operation and Planning

• Smart Weapons

Communication

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Communication is a way to convey a message, an idea, a picture, or

speech that is received and understood clearly and correctly by the person for

whom it is meant.

Some main areas in this category are:

• E-mail

• Chatting

• Usenet

• FTP

• Telnet

• Video-conferencing

Government

Computers play an important role in government services.

Some major fields in this category are:

• Budgets

• Sales tax department

• Income tax department

• Computation of male/female ratio

• Computerization of voters’ lists

• Computerization of PAN card

• Weather forecasting

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