the generations of computers

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The Generations of Computers

INTRODUCTIONComputers have become one of the most important parts of modern society.Nearly everything that is modern required or uses computer related technologyin some way. But how did computers as we know them come to exist? Didsomeone sitting in his lab just one day say, Aha! Ive got it! The computer!?Well, no, that is not how this happened. Rather, many years of brilliant ideasand research from many different individuals contributed to modern computing.The field is constantly evolving at a pace unlike anything before it as techniquesare polished and new breakthroughs are made.

The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to thedifferent generations of computing devices. Each generation of computer ischaracterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changedthe way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, morepowerful and more efficient and reliable devices.

PREPARED BY-

ANUSHA BATRA

ROLL NO. 535

B.COM (HONS) Ist Year


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First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes

First generation computers relied on machine language, the lowest-level

programming language understood by computers, to perform operations, and

they could only solve one problem at a time. Input was based on punched cardsand paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.

Characteristics of First Generation Computers These first generation computerswere based on vacuum tube technology. These first generation computers were the fastest computing devices of their

times (computation time was in Milli-Seconds).

These first generation computers were very large, and required a lot of spacefor installation.

Since thousands of vacuum tubes were used, they generated a large amount ofheat. Therefore, air conditioning was essential.

These first generation computers were non-profitable and very slowequipments.

They lack in versatility and speed. They were very expensive to operate and used a large amount of electricity.


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ExamplesThe UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing

devices. The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business

client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors


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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

The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy

industry.

Main Characteristics of a second generation computer are..1. Second generation computer machines were based on transistor technology.2. Second generation computers were smaller as compared to the first generation

computers

3. The computational time of Second generation computers was reduced tomicroseconds from milliseconds.

4. Second generation computers were more reliable and less prone to hardwarefailure. Hence, such computers required less frequent maintenance.

5. Second generation computers were more portable and generated less amount ofheat.

6. Assembly language was used to program Second generation computers. Hence,programming became more time-efficient and less cumbersome.

7. Second generation computers still require air conditioning.8. Manual assembly of individual components into a functional unit was still

required.

EXAMPLESIBM 7000, NCR 304, IBM 650, IBM 1401, ATLAS and Mark III are the examplesof second generation computers
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Third Generation (1964-1971) IntegratedCircuits

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 smallerand cheaper than their predecessors.

Characteristics of Third Generation Computers in comparison with that ofprevious generation computers are

1. Third Generation Computers were based on integrated circuit (IC) technology.2. Third Generation Computers were able to reduce computational time from

microseconds to nanoseconds

3. Third Generation Computers devices consumed less power and generated lessheat. In some cases, air conditioning was still required.


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4. The size of Third Generation Computers was smaller as compared to previouscomputers

5. Since hardware of the Third Generation Computers rarely failed, themaintenance cost for it was quite low.

6. Extensive use of high-level language became possible in Third GenerationComputers.

7. Manual assembling of individual components was not required for ThirdGeneration Computers, so it reduced the large requirement of labor & cost.

However, for the manufacture of IC chips, highly sophisticated technologies

were required

8. Commercial production became easier and cheaper.

EXAMPLESPDP-8, PDP-11, ICL 2900, IBM 360 and IBM 370 are the examples of third

generation computers.

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. The Intel

4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the computerfrom

the central processing unit and memory to input/output controlson a singlechip.


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In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple

introduced the Macintosh.

Characteristics of Fourth Generation Computers1. Fourth generation computers are microprocessorbased systems.2. Fourth generation computers are very small.3. Fourth Generation computers are the cheapest among all other computer

generations.

4. Fourth generation computers are portable and quite reliable.5. Fourth generation computers do not require air conditioning since they

generate negligible amount of heat.

6. Minimum maintenance is required for Fourth generation computers sincehardware failure is negligible for them.

7. The production cost of Fourth generation computers is very low8. GUI and pointing devices enables users to learn to use the computer quickly.9. Interconnections of computers leads to better communication and resource

sharing.

10.Fourth generation computers are very powerful than previous generations andcan easily do more calculation or can run more programs at a time and for more

hours.

EXAMPLESIBM 4341, DEC 10, STAR 1000, PUP 11 and APPLE II are the examples

of fourth generation computers.

Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) ArtificialIntelligence
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Many advances in the science of computer-design and technology are coming

together to enable the creation of fifth generation computers. Two such

engineering advances are give below

1. parallel processing, which replaces von Neumanns single central processingunit design with a system harnessing the power of many CPUs to work as one.

2. the technology of superconductors which is another great advantage, allows theflow of the electricity with very less or even no resistance, greatly improving the

information flow speed.

CONCLUSIONThis is a very exciting time to be alive since we all get to see

how quickly computer technology is evolving, and how much it ischanging all of our lives for the better.Nothing epitomizes modern life better than the computer. For better or worse,

computers have infiltrated every aspect of our society. Today computers do much

more than simply compute: supermarket scanners calculate our grocery bill

while keeping store inventory; computerized telephone switching centers play

traffic cop to millions of calls and keep lines of communication untangled; and

automatic teller machines let us conduct banking transactions from virtually

anywhere in the world. But where did all this technology come from and where isit heading? To fully understand and appreciate the impact computers have on

our lives and promises they hold for the future, it is important to understand

their evolution.

the generations of computers

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