Generation of Computer
First Generation: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)
The first computer systems used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory,
and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. These computers were very expensive to
operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, the first computers generated a lot of
heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.
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. It would take operators days or even weeks to set-up a new problem. 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, the U.S. Census
Bureau in 1951.
The period of first generation was from 1946-1959. The computers of first generation used
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 the installations used to fuse
frequently. Therefore, they were very expensive and only large organizations were able to
afford it.
In this generation, mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch cards, paper tape,
and magnetic tape was used as input and output devices. The computers in this generation used
machine code as the programming language.
The main features of the first generation are −
Vacuum tube technology
Unreliable
Supported machine language only
Very costly
Generated a lot of heat
Slow input and output devices
Huge size
Need of AC
Non-portable
Consumed a lot of electricity
some computers of this generation were −
ENIAC
EDVAC
UNIVAC
IBM-701
IBM-650
Second Generation (1956-1963)
During the period of 1956 to 1963 second generation of computers were developed. The second
generation computers emerged with development of Transistors. The transistor was invented in
1947 by three scientists J. Bardeen, H.W. Brattain and W. Shockley. A transistor is a small
device made up of semiconductor material like germanium and silicon. Even though the
Transistor were developed in 1947 but was not widely used until the end of 50s. The transistor
made the second generation computers faster, smaller, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more
reliable than their first-generation computers. Even though the transistor used in the computer
generated enormous amount of heat which ultimately would lead to the damage of the computers
but was far better than vacuum tubes.
Second generation computers used the low level language i.e. machine level language and
assembly language which made the programmers easier to specify the instructions. Later on High
level language programming were introduced such as COBOL and FORTRAN. Magnetic core
was used as primary storage. Second generation computer has faster input /output devices which
thus brought improvement in the computer.
7) Second generation computers has faster input/output devices.
CHARACTERISTICS
1) Transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes.
2) Second generation computers were smaller in comparison with the first generation computers.
3) They were faster in comparison with the first generation computers.
4) They generated less heat and were less prone to failure.
5) They took comparatively less computational time.
6) Assembly language was used for programming.
IBM 7000, NCR 304, IBM 650, IBM 1401, ATLAS and Mark III are the examples of second
generation computers.
Third Generation
The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The computers of third generation used
Integrated Circuits (ICs) in place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors, and
capacitors along 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, multiprogramming operating
system were used. High-level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1,
BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.
The main features of third generation are −
IC used
More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
Smaller size
Generated less heat
Faster
Lesser maintenance
Costly
AC required
Consumed lesser electricity
Supported high-level language
Some computers of this generation were −
IBM-360 series
Honeywell-6000 series
PDP (Personal Data Processor)
4th Generation
The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers of fourth generation
used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000
transistors and other circuit elements with 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 high-level
languages like C, 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 PCs
Very small size
Pipeline processing
No AC required
Concept of internet was introduced
Great developments in the fields of networks
Computers became easily available
Some computers of this generation were −
DEC 10
STAR 1000
PDP 11
CRAY-1(Super Computer)
CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
Fifth Generation of Computer
The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, 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 the means and method
of making computers think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++,
Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.
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
ChromeBook
