SD Cooper Road, Paynesville, Monrovia, Liberia

Name: Grace Melissa Jones

Course: Basic Computer

Course #: 101

Trainer: B. Massa Weeks

Date: September 19, 2023
 Direction: Write in details with pictures
on the generations of computers.

Generations of Computers
The history of computer development is often discussed with
reference to the different generations of computing devices. In
computer terminology, the word ‘generation’ is described as a
stage of technological development or innovation. A major
technological development that fundamentally change the way
computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper,
more powerful, more efficient and reliable devices characterize
each generation of computer. According to the ‘processor’
installed machines, there are generations of computers.

 First Generation (1940-1956)

Vacuum Tubes
The first generation period is considered from 1946 to 1959.
During the first generation, computers were developed using
vacuum tubes as the core technology. First-generation computers
used the machine language, the lowest-level programming
language so that it could be easily processed and understood by
computers.
ENIAC, short for Electronic Numeric Integrated and Calculator, is the
most popular example of the first generation computer. Other
examples include UNIVAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, IBM-650, IBM-701,
Manchester Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3, etc.

Advantages of the First General

Computers
The following are the main advantages of first-generation computers:

• Vacuum tubes were used in first-generation computers, and the

generation helped introduce computer devices.

• Due to the use of machine languages, computers of this generation

were faster as early development.

• Computers were able to perform calculations in milliseconds.

 Disadvantages of the First Generation
Computers
The following are the main disadvantages of first-generation
computers:

• First-generation computers were very large and could also cover an

entire room.
• Computers of this generation generated too much heat and required
a large cooling system.
• Storage capacity in computers was very low in this generation.

 Second Generation (1959 –

1965) Transistors
The second generation of computers began with the widespread use of
transistors. In this generation, vacuum tubes were no longer the main
piece of technology. They were replaced by transistors. The second-
generation period is considered from 1959 to 1965. Magnetic cores (as
primary memory devices) and magnetic tapes (as secondary storage
devices) were also used for memory requirements in computers.

During the second generation, computers used assembly languages

instead of binary machine languages. Besides, early versions of high-
level languages, such as COBOL and FORTRAN, were also introduced in
this generation.
The CDC-3600 and IBM-7094 are the most popular first-generation
computers. Other examples include UNIVAC-1108, IBM-7070, CDC-
1604, IBM-1400 series of computers, IBM-1600 series, IBM-7000 series,
Honeywell-400, etc.

Advantages of the Second Generation

Computers
The following are the main advantages of the second generation
computers:

• The transistor helped to make the second generation computer

slightly smaller than the first generation computer.

• Due to magnetic core technology, computers of this generation could

store instructions in memory.

• Computers became faster, reliable, and were able to perform

calculations in microseconds.
 Disadvantages of the Second
Generation Computers
The following are the main disadvantages of the second generation
computers:

• A cooling system was still needed in the second generation.

• Second-generation computers required maintenance at regular
intervals.

• The cost of the computer was still high; however, less than the first
generation computer.

 Third Generation (1965 – 1971)

Integrated Circuit
The third generation of computers was characterized by the use of
integrated circuits (ICs) in computers rather than transistors. The third
generation period is considered from 1965 to 1971. In this generation,
integrated circuits were used as the main piece of technology. The
integrated circuits were very small in size and helped to make the
computer smaller than its predecessor.

Besides, advanced input-output devices, such as a mouse, keyboard,

and monitor were introduced in this generation. Before these devices,
computers used punch cards and printouts. In terms of languages,
third-generation computers used higher-level languages such as
COBOL, BASIC, ALGOL-68, PASCAL PL / 1, FORTRAN-II to IV, etc.
Computers developed under the IBM-360 family series are the best
examples of third-generation computers. Other examples include PDP-
8, PDP-11, TDC-316, Honeywell-6000 series, ICL 2900 etc. Besides,
integrated circuits are still in use in today's generation of computers.

Advantages of the Third Generation

Computers
The following are the main advantages of the third generation
computers:

• Third-generation computers were smaller than previous-generation

computers, making second-generation computers portable and
available for commercial use at relatively low prices.

• Computers were fast, reliable, and could perform calculations in

nanoseconds. They also had more storage availability.
• Computers in the third generation produced less heat and became
more energy efficient than the previous generation.

Disadvantages of the Third Generation

Computers
The following are the main disadvantages of the third generation
computers:

• Third-generation computers also required a cooling system.

• Production and maintenance of integrated circuits were difficult at

that time.

• The price of third-generation computers was still high for personal

needs.

 Fourth Generation (1971 –

Present) Microprocessor
The fourth-generation period is considered from 1971 to 1980. During
this generation, computers were developed using the microprocessor
as the main component of the technology. Microprocessors were also
based on LSI (Large Scale Integration) and VLSI (Very Large Scale
Integration) technologies. They were developed by assembling several
integrated circuits on a single silicon chip.

Microprocessors not only helped make computers smaller but also

made them so powerful and reliable. Due to their compact size,
computers became available for personal use during the fourth
generation. Besides, high-level programming languages such as C, C ++,
DBASE, etc. were used in computers of this generation. Time-sharing,
network-based, distributed operating systems were also used in
computers of this generation.

The IBM-5100, Altair-8800, and Micral are the most popular computers
of the fourth generation computers. Other examples include PDP-11,
DEC-10, IBM-4341, STAR-1000, CRAY-1, CRAY-X-MP etc. Besides,
microprocessors are still in use in today's generation (fifth generation of
computers). However, they are not considered a core technology in the
current generation.

Advantages of the Fourth Generation

Computers
The following are the main advantages of the fourth generation
computers:

• Due to the compact size, the computer became widely available for
commercial and personal use. It also led to the revolutionary use of
personal computers (PCs).
• Fourth-generation computers were faster, smaller, reliable, and more
energy-efficient than their predecessors. Also, fourth-generation
computers had more storage availability.

• The amount of heat in fourth-generation computers was greatly

reduced. The heat produced was almost negligible and hence the air
conditioner system was no longer needed.

Disadvantages of the Fourth Generation

Computers
The following are the main disadvantages of the fourth generation
computers:

• The construction of VLSI circuits, and microprocessors, was complex

and required highly sophisticated technology and advanced technical
skills.

• A cooling fan was included in computers instead of an air conditioning

system. These cooling fans made noises with intense use of computers.

• Fourth-generation computers still used integrated circuits and

therefore high technical skills were required to construct and assemble
these ICs.

 Fifth Generation (Present &

Beyond) Artificial Intelligence
Fifth-generation computers are based on ULSI (Ultra Large Scale
Integration) technology, AI (artificial intelligence) software, and parallel
processing hardware. ULSI has revolutionized the development of
microprocessors. Now, about ten million electronic devices can be
assembled on a single microprocessor chip. On the other hand, AI is
helping computers to react efficiently against natural languages.

The fifth-generation period is believed to have started in 1980 and is

continuing. This means that the current generation is the fifth
generation of computers. Fifth-generation computers are still using
integrated circuits to meet various needs. However, the main
technology is AI where there is still room for improvement.

In the fifth generation, computers are particularly based on logic

programming and massively parallel computing. All high-level
languages are supported in this generation. Some such languages
include C, C ++, Java, .NET, etc. Besides, multi-threaded and distributed
operating systems are in use. Common examples of fifth-generation
computers are Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Chrome book, Ultra book,
Tablet, etc.
 Advantages of the Fifth Generation
Computers
The following are the main advantages of fifth-generation computers:

• Fifth-generation computers are available in different sizes and they

can now fit on the palm as well.

• Computers have become so fast that they can handle multitasking

easily. Also, if the data given by the user is correct, then fifth generation
computers are almost 100% accurate in calculations.

• With the use of AI in the fifth generation, computers have become so

smart that they can understand human language and recognize pictures
of individuals and things. However, all these data are input on the
computer or they do so with the help of the internet. They do not have
the ability to think as human beings.

Disadvantages of the Fifth Generation

Computers
The following are the main disadvantages of the fifth generation
computers:

• With advanced features and accuracy, computers have also replaced

humans in various fields, increasing unemployment. They are also
ruining humans' ability to think and learn.
• Due to the widespread use of computers in the fifth generation, the
amount of wastage of computers and their parts is increasing
significantly. It negatively affects the environment.

• Computers have also become a threat to personal use and businesses

as there are various types of cybercrimes that can cause damage to
personal details as well as financial losses.