Computer
- Generations
Generation
in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used.
Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware
technologies.
There
are five computer generations known till date.
First
Generation
The
period of first generation was from 1946-1959. The computers of first
generation used vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry
for CPU.
in this
generation, mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch cards,
paper tape, and magnetic tape was used as input and output devices.
The
main features of the first generation are −
Vacuum
tube technology
Supported
machine language only
Very
costly
Generated
a lot of heat
Slow
input and output devices
Huge
size
Consumed
a lot of electricity
Some
computers of this generation were
EDVAC
UNIVAC
IBM-701
Second Generation
The
period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this generation, transistors
were used as the basic components.
In this
generation, assembly language and high-level programming languages like
FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and
multiprogramming operating system.
The
main features of second generation are
Use of
transistors
Smaller
size as compared to first generation computers
Generated
less heat .
Consumed
less electricity
Faster
than first generation computers
Still
very costly
Supported
machine and assembly languages
Some
computers of this generation were
IBM
1620
IBM
7094
CDC
3600
UNIVAC
1108
Third
Generation
The
period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The computers of third
generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) in place of transistors.
ln this
generation remote processing, time-sharing, multiprogramming operating system
were used. High-level languages (COBOL, PASCAL , BASIC,etc.) were used during
this generation.
The
main features of third generation are
IC used
Smaller
size
Generated
less heat
Lesser
maintenance
AC
required
Consumed
lesser electricity
Supported
high-level language
Some
computers of this generation were
IBM-360
series
Honeywell-6000
series
IBM-370/168
TDC-316
Fourth Generation
The
period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers of fourth generation
used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
in this
generation, time sharing, real time networks, distributed operating system were
used. All the high-level languages like C, C++, etc., were used in this
generation.
The
main features of fourth generation are
VLSI
technology used
Very
cheap
Portable
and reliable
Very
small size
No AC
required
Concept
of internet was introduced
Some
computers of this generation were
DEC 10
STAR
1000
PDP 11
Fifth
Generation
The
period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, VLSI
technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in
the production of microprocessor chips.
This
generation is based on 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.
the
main features of fifth generation are −
ULSI
technology
Development
of true artificial intelligence
Development
of Natural language processing
Advancement
in Superconductor technology
Some
computer types of this generation are
Desktop
Laptop
NoteBook