Generations of Computer

 

Generations of Computer

There are a total of five Generations of Computer, with each Generation something new was discovered to improvise the functioning and the use of the computer systems.

 

First Generation (Vacuum Tubes) – 1940-1956:

This Generation computers relied on Machine Language (the Language of 0s and 1s) and used Vacuum tubes as components of memory. They were huge in size and occupied almost a room-size area to fit in.

  

Characteristic features of the 1st Generation of computer:

• The price of managing these computers was very high
• They were huge
• They were not capable of multitasking, and only one task could be performed at a time
• There was no use of monitors; the output was directly given in the form of print outs
• The electricity consumption was very high

Examples of computers developed in this generation are ENIAC – Electronic Numeric Integrated and Computer, UNIVAC- Universal Automatic Computer, EDSAC – Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator and EDVAC – Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer

 

Second Generation (Transistors) – 1956-1963:

The first-ever transistor was invented in 1947 but could never be used in the computer until the 1950s. Given below are a few characteristic features of the 2nd Generation computers:

• The speed of the transistor decided the speed of the computer
• It was less expensive in comparison to the 1st Generation computers
• The electricity consumption had also reduced with the use of transistors
• There was no change in the output as it was still received through a printout
• From machine language, there was a change to usage assembly language in computers. Thus, now computers could understand words
• High-level programming languages were used

Two significant developments during this phase include the development of FORTRAN or Formula Translation and COBOL or Common Business Oriented Language, which was developed for business use.

 

Third Generation (Integrated Circuits) – 1964-1971:

The phase when the usage of keyboards and monitors has started for the input and output. The transistors had been reduced in size and were placed on silicon chips. This increased the speed of the computer.

The features of the 3rd Generation of computers:

• The Integrated circuits were used where small circuits could work as efficiently as the larger ones
• Multitasking could be done in the computers developed during the 3rd phase
• Functions of the computer were based on the memory of the monitor

A few examples from this Generation of computer are PDP 8, IBM 360, ICL 2900, etc.

Fourth Generation (Microprocessors) – 1972-2010:

The maximum developments were done during this time phase as technology has advanced many folds. By this time, millions of transistors could be placed on the silicon circuits. 

The characteristic features of this Generation

• The first microprocessor, Intel 4004 chip was discovered by Ted Hoff and was made commercially available in 1971. This led to the introduction of personal computers
• This Generation saw revised versions of computers being introduced in the form of laptops and tablets
• GUI – Graphical User Interface was developed during this phase
• Speed, memory and storage had also improved in the computers of this Generation

The computers which were introduced during this Generation include Apple II, the first IBM computer, STAR 1000, and many more.

 

Fifth Generation (Artificial Intelligence) – 2010-till date: 

The current generation of computers which have made our lives easier and more convenient is all a part of the fifth generation of the computer. 

Some basic information about the 5th generation of computers:

• Artificial intelligence is being used in devices currently which has enabled millions on tasks to be completed within seconds on a device
• Advancement in the functioning of laptops, palmtops, etc.
• Other robotic devices have started being used to reduce human labour
• The devices from this generation are cost-effective, faster, consume lesser electricity and are easily portable and convenient to use