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. But
nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire
computer system. There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has
been discussed in detail along with their time period, characteristics. We've used approximate
dates against each generations which are normally accepted.
First Generation
The period of first generation was 1942-1954. First generation of computer
started with using vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU(Central Processing Unit). These tubes
like electric bulbs produced a lot of heat and were prone to frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and
could be afforded only by very large organisations.
In this generation mainly batch processing operating system were used. In this generation Punched cards, Paper tape, Magnetic
tape Input & Output device were used. There were Machine code and electric wired board languages used.
The main features of First Generation are:
Vacuum tube technology
Unreliable
Supported Machine language only
Very costly
Generate lot of heat
Slow Input/Output device
Huge size
Need of A.C.
Non portable
Consumed lot of electricity
Example
ENIAC(Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
EDVAC(Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
UNIVAC(Universal Automatic Computer)
IBM-701
IBM-650
Second Generation
The period of second generation was 1955-1964. This generation
using the transistor were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and
faster than the first generation machines made of vaccum [Link] this generation, magnetic cores
were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage
devices. In this generation assembly language programming like FORTRAN, COBOL were used.
The main features of Second Generation are:
Use of transistors
Reliable as compared to First generation computers
Smaller size as compared to First generation computers
Generate less heat as compared to First generation computers
Consumed less electricity as compared to first generations
Faster than first generation computers
Still very costly
A.C. needed
Support assmebly languages
Example
IBM 1620
IBM 7094
CDC 1604
CDC 3600
UNIVAC 1108
Third Generation
The period of third generation was 1965-1974. The third generation
of computer is marked by the use of Integrated Circuits (IC's) in place of transistors.A single I.C
has many transistors, resistors and capacitors along with the associated [Link] I.C was
invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient. In
this generation Remote processing, Time-sharing, Real-time, Multi-programming Operating
System were used. High level language (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC,
ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.
The main features of Third Generation are:
IC used
More reliable
Smaller size
Generate less heat
Faster
Lesser maintenance
Still costly
A.C needed
Consumed lesser electricity
Support high level language
Example
IBM-360 series
Honeywell-6000 series
PDP(Personal Data Processor)
IBM-370/168
TDC-316
Fourth Generation
The period of Fourth Generation was 1975-till now. The
fourth generation of computers is marked by the use of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI)
[Link] circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements and their
associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have microcomputers of fourth
generation. Fourth Generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and
affordable. As a result, it gave rise to personal computer (PC) revolution. In this generation
Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed Operating System were used. All the Higher
level languages like C and C++, DBASE etc. were used in this generation.
The main features of Fourth Generation are:
VLSI technology used
Very cheap
Portable and reliable
Use of PC's
Very small size
Pipeline processing
No A.C. needed
Concept of internet was introduced
Great developments in the fields of networks
Computers became easily available
Example
PDP 11
CRAY-1(Super Computer)
CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
Fifth Generation
The period of Fifth Generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth
generation, the VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology,
resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components. This
generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is
an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of making
computers think like human beings. All the Higher level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc.
are used in this generation. AI includes:
Robotics
Neural networks
Game Playing
Development of expert systems to make decisions in real life situations.
Natural language understanding and generation.
The main features of Fifth Generation are:
ULSI technology
Development of true artificial intelligence
Development of Natural language processing
Advancement in Parallel Processing
Advancement in Superconductor technology
More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features
Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates