Generations of

Computer

Mr. Dadan Khan

Generations of Computer
The history of computer development is often
referred to in reference to the
different generations of computing devices.
Each of the five generations of computers is
characterized by a major technological
development that fundamentally changed the
way computers operate, resulting in
increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful
and more efficient and reliable computing
devices.
 As early as the seventeenth century,
mathematicians were trying to create a machine
that could perform basic mathematical functions
such as, addition, subtraction, division and
multiplication.
1804 British inventor, Charles
Babbage, designed an all-purpose
problem-solving machine, the
difference engine, which had a
mechanical memory to store the
results of calculations.
Generations of Computer

• First Generation
• Second Generation
• Third Generation
• Fourth Generation
• Fifth Generation
First Generation
• The period of first generation was 1946-1959.
• First generation of computers started with using 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 were prone to
frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very
expensive and could be afforded only by very large
organizations.
• In this generation, mainly batch processing operating
systems were used. In this generation, Punched cards,
Paper tape, Magnetic tape Input & Output device were
used.
• There were machine codes and electric wired board
languages used
The main features of First
Generation are:
• Vacuum tube technology
• Unreliable
• Supported Machine
language only
• Very costly
• Generate lot of heat
• Slow Input/output device
• Huge size
• Need of A.C.
• Non-portable
Second Generation

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered

in the second generation of computers. The
transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see
widespread use in computers until the late 1950s.
The transistor was far superior to the vacuum
tube, allowing computers to become smaller,
faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more
reliable than their first-generation predecessors.
Though the transistor still generated a great deal
of heat that subjected the computer to damage, it
was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube.
Second-generation computers still relied on
punched cards for input and printouts for output.
The main features of Second Generation
are:
• Use of transistors
• Reliable as compared to First
generation computers
• Smaller size as compared to First
generation computers
• Generate 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
• A.C. needed
• Support machine and assembly
languages
 Third Generation

• The period of third generation was 1965-1971.

• The third generation of computer is marked by the use of
Integrated Circuits (IC's) 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, Real-
time, Multi-programming Operating System were used.
• High-level language (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 and Faster
• Smaller size
• Generate less heat
• Lesser maintenance
• Still costly
• A.C. needed
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Support high-level language
Fourth Generation

• The period of Fourth Generation was 1971-1980.

• The fourth generation of computers is marked by the use
of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI
circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit
elements and 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 higher level languages like C and 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 PC's
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No A.C. needed
• Concept of internet was
introduced
• Great developments in
the fields of networks
• Computers became
easily available
Fifth Generation

• The period of Fifth Generation is 1980-till date.

• In the fifth generation, the 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 means and methods of making
computers think like human beings.
• All the higher level languages like C and C++,
Java, .NET, etc., are used in this generation.
• AI includes:
• Robotics
• Neural networks
• Game Playing
• Development of expert systems to make
decisions in real life situations.
• Natural language understanding and
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
THE
END