Table of Contents
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Fifth generation computers are based on?
Fifth generation computers are based on Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology.
Question 2: Which electronic components are used in fifth generation computers?
Fifth generation computers are based on Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology.
Question 3: What are the examples of first generation computers?
Some example of first generation computers is ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC
Question 4: What are the examples of fifth generation computers?
• Notebooks
• Desktop PCs of Pentium
• Workstations of SUN.
• IBM SP/2.
Question 5: What are examples of second generation computers?
• IBM 1400 series
• IBM 1620
• IBM 7094 series
• CDC 1604
• CDC 3600
• UNIVAC 1108
Question 6: What are the main features of 2nd generation computers?
• 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
Question 7: When was the 2nd generation computer invented?
1949-1965
Related Topics
List of Computer Abbreviations (Updated)