Historical Evolution of Computers

From Vacuum Tubes

to Transistors to Microchips
Generation of Computer
• The history of computer development is often referred to in reference
to the different generations of computing devices.
• Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological
development that fundamentally changed the way computers
operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful,
efficient and reliable devices.
First Generation - 1940-1956: Vacuum
Tubes
• The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for
memory, and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very
expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated
a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.
• First generation computers relied on machine language to perform operations,
and they could only solve one problem at a time.
• Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on
printouts.
• The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing
devices. The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business
client.
• It was used in the 1951 U.S. Bureau Census.
Advantages
• Vacuum tubes were the only components available during those days.
• Vacuum tube technology made possible to make electronic digital
computers.
• These Computers could calculate data in milliseconds.
Disadvantages
• Very large in size.
• Consumed large amount of energy.
• Heated very soon due to thousand of vacuum tubes.
• Not very reliable.
• Air conditioning was required.
• Non-portable.
• Costly commercial production.
• Very slow speed.
• Used machine language only
• Used punch cards for input
• Not versatile and very faulty.
Second Generation - 1956-1963:
Transistors
• 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
50s.
• The transistor was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become
smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy efficient and more reliable than their first-generation
predecessors.
• Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.
• Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or
assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. High-level
programming languages were also being developed at this time, such as early versions of
COBOL and FORTRAN.
• These were also the first computers that stored their instructions in their memory, which
moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core technology. The first computers of this
generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.
Advantages
• Smaller in size as compared to first generation computers.
• More reliable.
• Used less energy and were not heated.
• Better portability.
• Better speed and could calculate data in microseconds.
• Accuracy improved
Disadvantages
• Air conditioning was required.
• Constant maintenance required.
• Only used for specific purpose.
• Costly and not versatile.
• Punch cards were used for input.
Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated
Circuits
• The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third
generation of computers.
• Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called
semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of
computers.
• Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third
generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with
an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different
applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory.
• Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because
they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.
Advantages
• Smaller in size as compare to previous.
• More reliable.
• Use less energy.
• Produce less heat as compare to previous.
• Better speed could calculate data in nanoseconds.
• Versatile to an extent.
• Used fan for heat discharge.
• Low maintenance cost because hardware failure is rare.
• Totally General purpose.
• Good Storage, Less expansive, better accuracy.
• Key board and mouse for input
Disadvantages
• Air Conditioning was required.
• High sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC
chips.
Fourth Generation - 1971-Present:
Microprocessors
• The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands
of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first
generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand.
• In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple
introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of
desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday
products began to use microprocessors.
• As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked
together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the
Internet.
• Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse
and handheld devices.
Advantages
• More powerful and reliable then previous.
• Very small in size
• Less power consumption.
• Less heat generation.
• Used fan for heat discharge.
• No air condition is required.
• Totally General purpose.
• Less need of repairing.
• Cheapest among all the generations.
• Best speed to read instructions (One million per second).
Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond:
Artificial Intelligence
• Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence,
are still in development, though there are some applications, such as
voice recognition, that are being used today.
• The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make
artificial intelligence a reality.
• Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will
radically change the face of computers in years to come.
• The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that
respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self
organization.