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Computer Generations

Computer generation

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Raji Majeed
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42 views

Computer Generations

Computer generation

Uploaded by

Raji Majeed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NAME:RAJI MAJEED OLANREWAJU

MATRIC NO:200404078
DEPARTMENT:COMPUTER SCIENCE

EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER
COMPUTER GENERATIONS
There are five generations of computer,each generation of computer is
designed based on a new technological development resulting in
better,cheaper and smaller computers that are more powerful, faster and
efficient than their predecessors.The computer has evolved from a large size
simple calculating machine to a smaller but much more powerful
machine.There are five generations of computer namely:
1. First generation
2. Second generation
3. Third generation
4. Fourth generation
5. Fifth generation
FIRST GENERATION
The period of first generation was 1942-1954.First generation of computer 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 organisations.In this generation mainly batch processing operating
system were used.In this generation punched cards,paper tape,magnetic tape input and output were used. There were machine code 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
• Consumed lot of electricity
Some computer of this generation were:
• ENIAC
• EDVAC
• UNIVAC,etc.
SECOND GENERATION
The period of second generation was 1952-1964.This generation using the transistor 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
primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. In this generation assembly and high level
programming language like FORTRAN,COBOL were used.There were batch processing and multiprogramming operating system used.
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.
Some computer of this generation were:
• IBM 1620
• IBM 7094
• CDC 3600,etc.
THIRD GENERATION
The period of third generation was 1964-1972.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 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,etc) were used during this generation.
The main features of third generation are:
• IC used
• More reliable
• Smaller size
• Generate less heat
• Faster
• Lesser maintenance
• Still costly
• A.C needed
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Support high level language
Some computer of this generation were:
• IBM-360 series
• Honeywell-6000 series
• PDP(Personal Data Processor),etc.
FOURTH GENERATION
The period of fourth generation was 1972-1990.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++,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
Some computer of this generation were:
• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super computer),etc.
FIFTH GENERATION
The period of fifth generation is 1990-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 method of
making computers think like human beings. All the Higher level languages like C and C++,Java,etc are used in this generation. All 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.
Some computer types of this generation are:
• Desktop
• Laptop
• NoteBook
• UltraBook, etc.

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