Computer Generations

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 Table of Contents

Content Page
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………I
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………..1
The body of research…………………………………………………………………………………2
Computer generations…………………………………………………………………………..2
First generation………………………………………………………………………..2
Second generation……………………………………………………………………..4
Third generation……………………………………………………………………….6
Fourth generation………………………………………………………………………8
Fifth generation………………………………………………………………………...9
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………11
References…………………………………………………………………………………………….12

Abstract
Computer is a very deep science if anyone try to be a specialist in that science, he
should begin with the history of the computer and also that is a very deep topic and has
many details in it so this research will represent a very specific topic. The topic name
is the computer generations so that is a very important topic and interesting to anyone
is about to be a specialist in the computer science. The history of computer generation
definitely will increase the passion of the reader who wants to continue his researches
and exploration in that field of science.
Key words:
Computer generations – Vacuum tubes – Transistors – IC – Integrated circuits

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 Introduction
The computer generations lead anyone to know exactly the improvement of the
computers with figures to emphasize the information. That also will be supported
with the period of each generation and how the creators try to avoid their mistakes
gradually until reaching the current generation. For each generation, there were
many uses due to its period of using. Improvements in basic technology are marked
and noticed at each generation. These technology improvements have been
extraordinary and each advance has resulted in lower cost computers, higher speed,
higher memory capacity and smaller size. This aggregation into generations is
neither clear-cut nor without debate. [1]
Many of the inventions and developments that led to the modern computer era
don't match these rigid dates perfectly well. So, these dates which border each
generation should not be interpreted as strict historical limitations by the reader.
So, everything is clear and obvious to begin with the research which will explain
the computer generations in details with a good basic information. [2]

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 The body of the research

Computer generations
First of all, there is a term should be defined before explaining and presenting
the computer generations. That term is the definitions of generations to allow a
good background to the reader. So, the definition of generations is so essential
to know on what basis these generations were imposed.
The Computer terminology "generation" is a technological transition that a
computer is using. The term generation was initially used to differentiate
between varying hardware technologies. Generation nowadays involves both
hardware and software, which together form a whole computer system. [3]
To date, there are five generations of computers known. Each generation and
its time span and characteristics will be discussed in details. So, there are five
generations of computer and all of them will be explained as the following:

First generation
The first generation has a distinguished name and that is the vacuum tubes and
its period is supposed to be between 1940 and 1956. The first computer systems
had circuit as vacuum tubes and memory as magnetic drums, and were often
huge, taking up whole rooms. These machines were very costly to run and the
first machines produced a lot of heat in addition to using a lot of energy, which
was also the cause of damages. First-generation computers depended on
machine language, the language of programming at the lowest level that
computers could understand to perform operations and they could solve only
one problem at a time. The setting up of a new issue will take days or even
weeks to run it. Input was relied on Perforated cards and paper tape and output

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was shown on printouts. Many examples and the advantages and the
disadvantages will be shown as the following: [4]
Examples:
• ENIAC
• EDVAC
• UNIVAC
• IBM-701
• IBM-650

UNIVAC Computer

Advantages:
• It needed the use of vacuum tubes which are the only available electronic
part in that days.
• In milliseconds, those computers could calculate.
Disadvantages:
• The huge size as it weighs 30 tones.
• These computers were very expensive.

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 • It used to store very low quantity of information.
• The low efficiency of work.
• The high rate consumption of energy.

Second generation
In the second generation the transistors were used instead of the vacuum tubes
and that generation’s period is supposed to be between 1956 and 1963. The
invention of transistors was at bell labs in 1947 and it was tested many times
until it was used lately in 1950s. The transistor was much preferable to the
vacuum tube, making it possible for computers to become smaller, quicker,
cheaper and more dependable than their counterparts of the first generation and
have a lower consumption of energy. While the transistor still produced much
heat that caused harm to the device, it was a major improvement over the
vacuum tube. The second-generation computers were also relying on perforated
input cards and output on printouts.
Second-generation computers shifted from cryptic binary machine language to
symbolic languages or assembly languages, allowing programmers to specify in
word their instructions. High-level programming languages such as early
versions of COBOL and FORTRAN, were being improved at this period. Also,
these were the first computers that could store their instructions, switching from
a magnetic drum to magnetic core technology. [5]

nnnnnnnnnnn
An early Transistor
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Examples:
• Honeywell 400
• IBM 7094
• CDC 1604
• CDC 3600
• UNIVAC 1108
Advantages:
• The size of the second-generation computer was smaller than the first-
generation one.
• Use lower amount of energy.
• The usage of assembly language and the improvement of the
programming language.
• Cheaper than the first-generation computers.
• In microseconds, these computers can calculate so it provides better
speed.
Disadvantages:
• The need of the cooling system.
• Its use is limited to certain things.
• The amount of heat although it decreased, it was an obstacle and caused
many damages to the computer.

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Third generation
This generation was existed in the period between 1964 and 1971. In the third
generation the integrated circuits represent very high development to this
generation and also the use of the silicon chips or the semi-conductors instead of
the transistors which supported the computers to be speedier and get high
efficiency. Instead of perforated cards and printouts, users interacted with third-
generation computers via keyboards and monitors and linked up with an
operating system that allowed the device to operate many different applications
with a central program that controlled the memory at one time. Computers got
accessible to a mass audience for the first time because they were faster, simpler
and cheaper than the previous ones. In 1958-1959 Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby
invented IC. IC was a single unit which contained many transistors. That IC
represents the integrated circuit which improved the computer. [6]

mmmmmm
Third-generation computer

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Examples:
• PDP-8
• PDP-11
• ICL 2900
• IBM 360
• IBM 370
Advantages:
• This generation provided cheaper computers compared to the previous
ones.
• This generation provided faster computers.
• The use of the IC helped in making the computer with smaller size.
• IC also helped in getting higher performance from the computer.
• This generation provided bigger storage.
• The first appearance for the mouse and keyboard which used for input.
• The ability of operating many tasks.
• In nanoseconds, this computer could calculate.
Disadvantages:
• Air conditioning is needed for cooling.
• IC chips were very difficult to store them.
• Highly advanced technology was necessary to manufacture IC chips.

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Fourth generation
In the fourth generation the microprocessor was created as a single unit
contains thousands of integrated circuits as a single silicon chip. This generation
was existed in the period between 1971 and 1985. What filled a whole room in
the first generation could fit in the grip of the hand now. Developed in 1971, the
Intel 4004 chip located all components of the computer on a single chip, from
the central processing unit and memory to input and output. IBM introduced its
first home-user computer in 1981, and Apple introduced the Macintosh in 1984.
Microprocessors also moved out of the domain of desktop computers and into
many aspects of life as more and more microprocessors were being used in
everyday products.
As these small computers have become more effective, they could be
connected together to form networks, which finally led to Internet development.
Computers of the fourth generation also saw GUIs, mouse, and handheld
devices being developed. [7]

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Examples:
• IBM 4341
• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PUP 11
Advantages:
• The size of the computer decreased and became smaller.
• The produced heat can be neglected.
• All the high-level programing languages can be used on that computer.
Disadvantages:
• The manufacturing process of the microprocessor is so complex.

Fifth generation
The fifth generation of computer is last one as it is used from 1985 and till
now and the future also. The fifth-generation computing devices which
depended on artificial intelligence are still in progress though some
implementations are being used today such as the recognition of voice. The use
of parallel computing and superconductors leads to the realization of artificial
intelligence. Quantum computing and nanotechnology in coming years would
fundamentally transform the face of computers. The aim of fifth generation
computing is to improve devices that can learn and organize themselves. This
generation is depended on ULSI (Ultra Large-Scale Integration) technology
which results in the production of ten million electronic component
microprocessor chips. [8]

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Sssssssssssss
Fifth-generation computer

Examples:
• Desktop
• Laptop
• Notebook
• Ultrabook
• Chromebook
Advantages:
• This generation of computers work faster.
• It has small different sizes and many distinctive features.
Disadvantages:
• They need the languages at very low levels.

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 Conclusions
At the end of this research, all the points which were discussed can be
concluded in that part to make a brief to everything said in this research. So,
the generations of computers were defined specifically and illustrated to get
full explanation to that word. After that, five generation of computers were
explained and clarified in details with the periods which border each
generation, figures, examples and mentioning the advantages and the
disadvantages and all of that to emphasize and justify these generations with
specific information. The figures help to make connection between the
reader and his imagination to imagine the shape of the computer in each
generation.
The examples allow the chance to know different types of computers in
each generation. Also, the advantages and disadvantages part are so
important to make the reader explore the features and the obstacles in each
generation.

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 References

• Patterson, David A., and John L. Hennessy. Computer Organization and

Design: the Hardware/Software Interface. W. Ross MacDonald School
Resource Services Library, 2019.
• Oxlade, Chris. The History of Computers. Raintree, 2018.
• Computer Generations - Columbia University.
[Link]/cu/computinghistory/[Link].
• Computers | Timeline of Computer History | Computer ...
[Link]/timeline/computers/.
• Ince, D. The Computer: a Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press,
2011.
• Bell, Gordon. Computer Generations. Digital Equipment Corporation, 1975.
• “The Transistor.” Vintage Computer Chip Collectibles, Memorabilia &
Jewelry, [Link]/[Link].

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