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Generations of Computers

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67 views19 pages

Generations of Computers

Uploaded by

fm821309
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GENERATIONS OF

COMPUTERS
Introduction to Computing
Applications
Generations of Computers
• The computer generations indicate the types of technology used in
the construction of the computer. As new technology was
emerging, it was being used in the construction of computers.
• Thenew technology improved the speed, accuracy and storage
capacity of computers.
• Different
technologies have been used for computers at different
times. Therefor, computers can be divided into five generations
depending upon the technologies used. A brief description of
these generations as follows:
First Generation Computers (1942-1955)
• The Vacuum Tube technology was used in the first generation
computers. These computers could perform simple calculations.
• Thesecomputers were very big in size and very costly. Their
processing speed was slow and they had small internal storage.
• These computers consumed more electric power and generated a
lot of heat during their operations. So, air conditioning was
compulsory to operate these computers. These computers were
not reliable and required constant maintenance. The failure rate of
these computers was also very high.
First Generation Computers (1942-1955)
• In
first-generation computers, machine language was used to
perform different kinds of operations(or for writing programs).
• The magnetic drums were used for memory. The input was given
to these computers through punched cards and paper tapes. The
output was obtained as printouts. Examples UNIVAC,ENIAC.
First Generation Computers
Second Generation Computers(1955-1964)

• Theperiod 1955 to 1964 is roughly considered as the period of


Second Generation of Computers.
• The second generation computers were developed by using
transistor technology.
• In
comparison to the first generation, the size of second
generation was smaller.
• Incomparison to computers of the first generation, the computing
time taken by the computers of the second generation was lesser.
Second Generation Computers
• The second generation computers required less maintenance than
first generation computers.
• They were less expensive, had more internal storage, Consumed
less electric power, generated less heat, were more reliable and
accurate in calculations etc.
• Thesecomputers also required less maintenance than first
generation computers.
• Inthe second generation computers, assembly language was used
to writing the programs.
Second Generation Computers
• It
is easier to write the program in assembly language as compare the
machine language.
• Highlevel programing languages such as COBOL and FORTRON were
developed during this period and also used in the second-generation
computers.
• So,
these computers were easier to program and use than the first generation
computers.
• Insecond generation computers , magnetic core technology was used for
primary memory.
• Theinput to these computers was still given through punched cards and the
output was obtained as printouts.
• Examples : UNIVAC 1108 IBM 7094 series, CDC 1604, Honeywell 400.
Second Generation Computers
Third Generation Computers(1964 to
1975)
• Theperiod from 1964 to 1975 is roughly considered as the period
of Third Generation Computers.
• The
IC (Integrated Circuits) technology was in third generation
computers.
• The first IC was invented and used in 1961.
• Ina small IC chip (5 mm square size) a circuit is designed having
a large number of electronic components like transistors,
capacitors, diodes, resistors etc.
Third Generation Computers
• In comparison to the computers of the second generation, the size
of the computers of the third generation was smaller.
• In comparison to the computers of the second generation, the
computing time taken by the computers of the third generation was
lesser.
• The third generation computer consumed less power and also generated less heat.
• The maintenance cost of the computers in the third generation was also low.
• The computer system of the computers of the third generation was easier for
commercial use.
Third Generation Computers
• The
high level languages were commonly used in third generation
computers for writing computer programs.
• The semiconductor memories RAM and ROM were used for
internal storage in third generation computers.
• Many input and output devices like keyboard and monitor were
used in third generation computers.
• Examples IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108, etc.
Third Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers(1975-
present)
• Theperiod 1975 to present is roughly considered as the fourth
generation of computers.
• Thefourth generation computers were developed by using
microprocessor technology.
• By coming to fourth generation, computer became very small in
size, it became portable.
• The
machine of fourth generation started generating very low
amount of heat.
Fourth-Generation Computers
• It is much faster and accuracy became more reliable.
• Theproduction cost reduced to very low in comparison to the
previous generation.
• It became available for the common people as well.
Fourth-Generation Computers
Fifth-Generation Computers(Present to
Beyond)
• The period 2010 to till date and beyond, roughly considered as the period of fifth
generation of computers.
• By the time, the computer generation was being categorized on the basis of
hardware only, but the fifth generation technology also included software.
• The computers of the fifth generation had high capability and large memory
capacity.
• Working with computers of this generation was fast and multiple tasks could be
performed simultaneously.
• Some of the popular advanced technologies of the fifth generation include
Artificial intelligence, Quantum computation, Nanotechnology, Parallel
processing, etc.
Fifth-Generation Computers
• The Scientist are working to design fifth generation computers
that will have the following features:
• Having their own thinking power.
• Making decision themselves.
• Having capabilities of learning.
• Havingcapabilities to communicate with the user in natural
spoken language.
• Having extra high processing speed.
Fifth-Generation Computers

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