Computer Generation Full
Details
Computer Generation – Today we use very small and powerful
computers but computers were not so advanced from the beginning. If we talk
about the early generation of computers then they were quite large in size and
much slower than today’s generation of computers.
The journey of computers started from 1940, but till date
computers have been classified into five generations according to their
capabilities. Different generations of computers and their features are
discussed in detail below.
How
many generations of computers and what?
If we talk about the different generations of computers,
from the first computer invented in 1940 to the present, according to their
features and performance, a total of 5 generations of computers have been
divided into categories, they are –
- First Generation Computers (1940 – 1956)
- Second Generation Computers (1956 – 1963)
- Third Generation Computers (1964 – 1971)
- Fourth Generation Computers (1971 – 1984)
- Fifth Generation Computers (1984 – Present)
Computer
Generations and Their Features
First
Generation Computers (1940 – 1956)
First generation of computers – This generation of computers
used large vacuum tubes. The first generation of computers were used between
1940 and 1956. The first generation of successful electronic computer was the
ENIAC, developed by J.P. Eckert and J.W. Mouchi. The full form of ENIAC is
“Electronic Numeric Integrator and
Calculator”
ENIAC was a very
large computer that weighed close to 30 tons. It can only store limited data.
Von Neumann designed EDVAC before ENIAC was completed. This computer worked on
the basis of binary number system. The full form of EDVAC is “Electronic
Discrete Variable Automatic Computer”. The first generation of computers
produced large amounts of heat that required air conditioning (AC) to keep them
cool.
The first
generation of computers used a lot of power. Being too big, it could not be
moved from one place to another. Many types of computers were built in the
first generation, which are as follows: ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC (Electronic Delay
Storage Automatic Calculator), UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) etc.
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Characteristics
of first generation computers
- Early computers
used vacuum tubes because vacuum tubes
were the only source of electricity in those days. - These computers can
calculate in milliseconds. - It can only store a
small amount of data due to the presence of a magnetic drum. - They are very large
in size, weighing about 30 tons. - Limited programming
capability and punch cards were used to take input. - Early computers
used large vacuum tubes that produced more heat than ACs used to cool them. - The first
generation of computers worked in machine language. Where all commands and data
were given between 0 and 1.
Advantages
of first generation computers –
Advantages
Computers were simple in structure, and the computers had a system for storing
information.
Disadvantages
of first generation computers –
Computers were
large in size, very slow to operate, and the ability to produce results based
on data was very poor. The use of vacuum tubes generated a lot of heat from the
devices, so computers had to be air-conditioned to run. Also computers of that
era were very expensive.
Examples of first
generation computers and languages used
Example – Machines
-ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC-I, MARK-I
The languages used
in the first generation of computers – machine language and assembly language
were used.
Second
Generation Computers (1956 – 1963)
The second generation of computers lasted from 1956 to 1963.
The biggest change in the second generation of computers was that transistors were used instead of
vacuum tubes.
Transistors were much smaller than vacuum tubes, due to
which it could be carried from one place to another, meaning it was portable.
Also, after the use of transistors, computers were much faster and more
efficient than the first generation, but the second generation computers
provided heat, but it provided less heat than the first generation computers.
To keep it cool too, AC (air conditioner) was required.
Characteristics
of second generation computers
- Second generation computers used transistors in place of
vacuum tubes. - The processing speed of this generation of computers is
quite a bit higher than the first generation computers. - Magnetic Taps from Inam Data Store will not be used
- During this generation, programming began with higher level
COBOL and FORTRAN. - Computers specified in this edition include Homet: UNIVAC,
IBM 700 and Atlas etc. - Examples of second generation computers and languages used
Example – Machine IBM-1401, PDP-I, IBM-7000, IBM-1620,
NCR-304, CDC, Honeywell, Univac 1108 etc.
Languages used in second generation computers – various
high-level languages, such as FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, ALGOL, PL/I etc.
Third
Generation Computers (1964 – 1971)
The next step in the evolution of computers is the third
generation computer. Third generation computers first replaced transistors with
integrated circuits (ICs). An IC is
much smaller and consumes less power than a transistor and is much faster and
more reliable. SSIC (Small Scale Integrated Circuit) and MSIC (Medium Scale
Integrated Circuit) were used in this generation.
Its cost is also very low, due to which this generation of computers were
widely used in business, industry.
Various types of devices were also invented in this
generation which are as follows: PDP-8, PDP-11, ICL2900, IBM 360, IBM 370 etc.
Characteristics
of third generation computers
- These computers used ICs instead of transistors, which were
more powerful than transistors. - Since the size of the IC was smaller than the size of the
transistor circuit, the size of this generation of computers was also very
small. - Due to the small size of electrical circuits in these
computers, their processing speed was high. - Third generation computers used high level languages for
the first time. The first high-level language was called Fortran. - This generation of computers required only one person to
operate.
Advantages
of third generation computers –
This generation of computers was much smaller and portable,
the use of ICs reduced heat generation, and the computers of this generation
were much faster than the previous two generations. Computers increased in performance,
reliability and accuracy, and the need for air conditioning was greatly
reduced.
Disadvantages
of third generation computers –
As computer architecture became more complex, the need for
air conditioning in special cases remained in this generation.
Examples of third generation computers and languages used
Example – Machine IBM 360, IBM 370, ICL 2900, PDP II, CDC
1700 etc.
Fourth
Generation Computers (1971 – 1984)
Microprocessors are used in the fourth generation of
computers. This generation of computer is currently used in our computers. Microprocessor is a single chip which
is used to perform Arithmetical and Logical calculation in computer. The first
microprocessor was invented by Ted Hoff of the United States who developed the
first microprocessor Intel 4004 and was working for Intel Corporation.
The fourth generation of computers lasted from 1971 to 1980.
Although today only microprocessors are used in computers. This generation of
computers can be connected to each other through networks. This generation of
computers were very small and very fast performance, this generation of
computers provided very little heat, so they did not need AC, the fourth
generation of computers developed high level languages like C, C++.
This generation of computers used V.L.S.I (Very Large Scale
Integrated) technology, so it was also known as Micro Processor.
The fourth phase of the computer generation was the first
personal computer (PC) marketed by IBM.
Characteristics
of fourth generation computers
- Their size was very small due to the use of small circuits.
This generation of computers almost came into the category of portable
computers. Desk top computers, notebook computers, etc. are examples of this
generation of computers. - The processing speed of this generation of computers was
much faster than the previous three generations. These computers operated in
microseconds (10 – 0 seconds) and nanoseconds (10° seconds). - Due to its high heat tolerance, it was able to function
without air conditioning. - These computers were also widely used because of their low
cost. - Its light weight made it easy to move from place to place.
Languages used in fourth generation computers – C, C++, word
processing and 4GL(SQL) etc.
Examples of Fourth Generation Computers – Machines – DEC-10,
STAR-1000, PRP-II, APPLE-II, IBM-4341
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Fifth
Generation Computers (1984 – Present)
The difference between the fourth generation and the fifth
generation is very little. However, this generation of computers is very fast.
Compared to the fourth generation, the processor, memory, data storage, etc.
are much improved. Scientists are constantly trying to improve fifth generation
computers. According to their idea, knowledge information will be used in the
fifth generation computer in the future, as a result of which the fifth
generation computer will have its own intelligence
(AI i.e. Artificial Intelligence). So this generation computer will be able
to make the right decision by itself.
Characteristics
of fifth generation computers
- VLSIC and ULSIC technology are used in these computers.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is present in these computers,
due to which they have the ability to make decisions. - Computers of this generation are able to compare two or
three objects and select the object mentioned above. - The processing power of this generation of computers is very
high. These computers perform billions of calculations a second. Their speed is
measured in picoseconds (10 – 12 seconds). - This generation of computers mainly includes Super
computers (params) made in India.
FAQ:-
In
which year was the first generation computer invented?
In 1940, the first generation computer was invented.
Examples
of first generation computers
Examples of First Generation Computers – Machines -ENIAC,
EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC-I, MARK-I (Vacuum tube Used)
Examples
of second generation computers?
The second generation computers are – machines IBM-1401,
PDP-I, IBM-7000, IBM-1620, NCR-304 etc. (Transistor Used)
Examples
of third generation computers?
Examples of third generation – machines IBM 360, IBM 370,
ICL 2900, PDP II, CDC 1700 etc. (IC-Integrated Chief Used)
Examples
of fourth generation computers?
Example machines of fourth generation computers – DEC-10,
STAR-1000, PRP-II, APPLE-II, IBM-4341 (Micro Processor Used)
What
generation of computers today?
Today’s computers are fifth generation. (AI- Artificial Intelligence
Used)
Final
Word from Edutech365.com
Friends for reading the post completely, I hope now you are
well aware about the different generations of computers and their features. We
can learn from the history of the generation of computers how the evolution of
large computers to small and powerful computers. Finally to say that if you
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