Generation of Computer

Generation of Computer 1st to 5th

• Nowadays, generation of computer  incorporates both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system. But previously Generation in computer terminology denotes the  changes of hardware technology in a computer. Initially, It was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies.

• There are five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics.

First Generation of Computers (1946-1959)

• First generation of computers based on vacuum tubes.

• The period of first generation Computer is 1946-1959.

 Examples of first generation computers are_
• ENIAC
• EDVAC
• UNIVAC
• IBM-701
• IBM-750
• UNIVAC-1 (Universal Automatic Computer)

Main features of the First Generation Computer
• Based on Vacuum tube technology
• Used machine language only
• Very costly
• Produced lot of heat
• Consumed Huge size
• Need of AC for cooling
• Consumes lot of electricity
• Unreliable
• Non-portable (Large size)
• Slow Input / Output process

 Second Generation of Computers (1949-1965)

• Computers of this generation used transistors.

• It supported assembly language as well as high-level programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL.

Examples of second generation computers are_
• IBM 1400 series
• IBM 1620
• IBM 7094 series
• CDC 1604
• CDC 3600
• UNIVAC 1108

The main features of the second generation are:
• Transistors based computer

• It Supported machine and assembly languages.

• Generates less heat as compared to first generation computers

• Smaller size as compared to first generation computers

• Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers

• Faster than first generation computers

• Reliable compares to the first generation computers.
• Still very costly
• AC required for cooling

 Third Generation Computers

• Third generation computers is based on Integrated Circuits (ICs).

• It supported remote time-sharing, processing, multi-programming operating system.

• List of High-level languages used in this generation
– FORTRAN-II
– COBOL
– PASCAL PL/1
– BASIC
– ALGOL-68

Examples of third generation computer
• UNIVAC 1108
• UNIVAC AC 9000
• IBM-370/168
• IBM-360 series
• Honeywell-6000 series
• PDP (Personal Data Processor)
• TDC-316

The main features of the third generation are:
• Based on Integrated Circuits (ICs).

• More reliable than 1st and 2nd generations.

• More Smaller size

• Produced less heat compared to previous generations.

• Faster than vacuum tubes and Transistor based computers.

• Lesser maintenance
• Costly
• AC required
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Supported high-level language

 Fourth Generation Computers (1971-1980)

• Fourth generation computers are based on Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.

• This generation computer supported 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.

• Fourth generation computers built between 1971 to 1980.

◘ Examples of Fourth generation computers
• Apple Macintosh
• IBM PC
• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1 (Super Computer)
• CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer)

◘ The main features of fourth generation computers
• Based on VLSI technology
• Very cheap
• Use of Personal Computers
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• Portable and reliable
• No AC required
• Concept of the internet was introduced

Fifth Generation Computers (1980 to till date)

• Fifth generation computers are based on Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology.

• This generation supports Parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software.

• All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.

♦ Examples of fifth generation computers
• Desktop
• Laptop
• Notebook
• Ultrabook
• Chromebook

 ♦ The main features and Characteristics of fifth generation computers
• Based on ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology

• True artificial intelligence
• Multimedia features
• Development of Natural language processing

• More user-friendly interface
• Advancement in Parallel Processing
• Advancement in Superconductor technology

• Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates.

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