Computer
Generations
PUNJ PRAKASH
Introduction
The evolution of computer started from 16th century and resulted
in the form that we see today. The present day computer, however,
has also undergone rapid change during the last fifty years. This
period, during which the evolution of computer took place, can be
divided into five distinct phases known as Generations of
Computers. Each phase is distinguished from others on the basis
of the type of switching circuits used.
First Generation (1940-56) :
Vacuum Tube
First generation computer were vacuum
tubes/thermionic value based machines these
computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and
magnetic drums for memory.
A magnetic drum is a metal cylinder coated
with magnetic iron-oxide material on which data
and programs can be stored.
Input was based on punched cards and paper
tape and output was in the form of printouts.
For example: ENIAC, EDVAC AND UNIVAC.
Characteristics of First
Generation Computers.
• These computers were based on
vacuum tube technology.
• These were the fastest computing
devices of their time.
• These computers were very large, and
required a lot of space for installation.
• These were non-portable and very slow
equipment.
Second Generations (1956-63):
Transistors
A transistor is made up of semiconductor material like germanium and silicon.
It usually had three leads and performed electrical functions such as voltage,
current or power amplification with low power requirement. Since transistor is
a small device, the physical size of computers was greatly reduced.
Computers became smaller, faster, cheaper, energy-efficient and more reliable
than their predecessors. Magnetic cores- were used as primary memory and
magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. However, they still relied on
punched cards for input and printouts for output.
For example: PDP – 8 , IBM 1401 and IBM 7090
Characteristics of Second
Generation Computer.
• These machines were based on transistor
technology
• These were smaller as compared to the
first generation computers.
• These were more portable and generated
less amount of heat.
Third Generation (1964 – Early
1970), Integrated Circuits
The development of the integrated circuit was the trait of the third generation
computer. Also called an IC, an integrated circuit consists of a single chip with many
components such as transistors and resistors fabricated on it.
Integrated circuit replaced several individually wired transistor. This development
made computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient.
Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation
computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with operating system.
For example : NCR 395 and B6500
Characteristic of Third
Generation Computer
• These computers were based on integrated
circuit (IC) technology.
• They were able to reduce computational
time from micro seconds to nano seconds.
• Extensive use of high – level language
became possible
Fourth Generation (Early (1970 –
Till Date) Microprocessors)
The technology of this generation was still based on the integrated circuit, these
have been made readily available to use because of the development of the
microprocessor.
The fourth generation computers led to an era of large scale integration (LSI) and
very large scale integration (VLSI) technology. LSI technology allowed thousands of
transistors to be constructed on one small slice of silicon material whereas VLSI
squeezed hundreds of thousands of components on to a single ewp.
ULTRA – large scale integration (ULSI) increased that number into millions the fourth
generation computer became more powerful compact, reliable and affordable.
For example: apple ii, attair 8800 and CRAY-1
Characteristics of Fourth
Generation Computers
• Fourth generation computers are
microprocessor based systems
• These computers are very small
• GUI an d pointing devices enable users to
learn to use the computer quickly
• Interconnection of computers leads to
better communication and resource sharing
Fifth Generation (Present and
Beyond): Artificial Intelligence
A computer would learn from its mistakes
and possess the skill of experts the
starting point for the fifth generation of
computers has been set in the early
1990. The expert system it defined as a
computer information system that
attempts to mimic the thought process
and reasoning of experts in specific areas.
Characteristics of Fifth
Generation Computers
Mega chips
Fifth generation computers will use super
large scale integrated (SLSI) chips, which will
result in the production of microprocessor
having millions of electronic components on
a single chip.
Characteristics of Fifth
Generation Computers
Parallel processing
A computer using parallel processing
accesses several instructions at once and
works on them at the same time through use
of multiple central processing units.
Characteristics of Fifth
Generation Computers
Artificial intelligence: (AI)
AI comprises a group of related technologies
expert systems (ES), natural language
processing (NLP) speech recognition, vision
recognition and robotics.