Computer Generation

Generation of Computer

computer generation means what change occurred in computer technology time to time. The generation of computer is divided into

First Generation (1940-1956)- The features of first generation computer are: 

• Vacuum tube technology
• John Ambrose Fleming inventing in 1904 the first vacuum tube
•  Supported machine language only
• Unreliable, Very costly , Huge size
• Generated lot of heat
• Slow input and output devices
• Magnetic drum are used for storage
• Used for scientific purpose

Ex- ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM 701, IBM 650

Second Generation (1956-1963)- The features of second generation computer are:

• Use of transistors
• The invention of the transistor were William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain.
• More Reliable, Smaller size, Generated less heat, faster as compared to first generation computers.
• Magnetic Core technology are used for storage.
• Supported machine and assembly languages.
• Used for commercial production.

Ex- IBM 1401, IBM 1000, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, UNIVAC 1108

Third Generation (1964-1971)- The main features of third generation are:

• IC (Integrated circuits) used
• Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the IC
• Faster, More reliable, smaller size in comparison to previous two generations
• Generated less heat, lesser maintenance, still costly
• Supported high-level language (FORTRAN, COBOL)
• Magnetic core are used for storage
• Remote processing
• Software used for control the I/O devices
• Used for DBMS, online reservation, etc.

Ex:- IBM-360, Honeywell-6000 series, PDP (Personal Data Processor), IBM 370/168,  TDC-316 

Fourth Generation (1971-1980) - The main features of fourth generation are:

• Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits was used
• Portable, reliable and Very small size
• Use of PC's
• Pipeline processing
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great developments in the fields of networks
• Semi-conductor memory used for storage

     Some computers of this generation are:

DEC 10, STAR 1000, PDP 11, CRAY-1(Super Computer), CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer)

      Fifth Generation (1980-Present) – The main features of fifth generation are:

• Use ULSIC (Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuit ) & AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology
• Natural language processing, speech recognition, Image recognition
• Advancement in Superconductor technology, optical disk
• More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features

       Some computer types of this generation are:

 Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Ultra Book, Chrome Book 

Generations of computers	Technology Employed
First Generation Computer (1940-1956)	Vacuum tubes
Second Generation Computer (1956-1963)	Transistor
Third Generation Computer (1964-1971)	Integrated Circuits
Fourth Generation Computer (1971-1980)	VLSI
Fifth Generation Computer (1980-Present)	ULSI and Artificial Intelligence