Computer Notes 1: Computer Generations

First Generation:

First generation computers were manufactured using Vacuum tubes, electronic relays (As Computer Memory), and punch cards (As input device). These computers were large in size and difficult for manufacturing. Some examples of first generation computers:-

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator), EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer), EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer)

Advantages

They were the fast device in their time and perform computations in milliseconds
Vacuum tubes used in manufacturing the first generation computers
Only Vacuum tube technology was available as an electronic component

Limitations

Slow speed computational operations
High Power consumption
Required large space for installation.
Too bulky in size
Highly Unreliable
Air conditioning required
Manufacturing/ production was difficult and costly
Limited commercial use

Second Generation:

Second generations computers were manufactured from Transistors that were the replacement of vacuum tubes used in the first generation. Transistors were smaller and can operate at high speed. Magnetic core, magnetic tapes and disk storage used as computer memory.

The Batch Operating System, high-level programming language such as COBOL, FORTRAN was the software technologies in the second generation of computer.

Some examples of Second Generation computers.

Honeywell 400, IBM 1620, IBM 1401, CDC 1604 etc.

Advantages

Compact in size as compared to first generation of computers.
More reliable.
Less heat generated.
Fast computational speed.
More stable hardware.

Limitations

Still used for commercial purposes only.
Air conditioning required.
Regular maintenance required.
Manufacturing/ production was still difficult and costly

Third Generation :

In third generation, mini computers introduced that were manufactured from ICs (Integrated Circuits). An IC can be equipped with many transistors. Larger capacity magnetic core memories used in this generation. For secondary storage larger capacity magnetic disk and tapes were used.

Time-sharing Operating system, high-level language such as BASIC (Beginner All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was used during this period.

Some examples of Third Generation computers.

IBM -360, IBM-370, PDP ,CDC etc.

Advantages

Smaller in size as compared to previous generations computers
Even more reliable than previous generations
High speed computational operations
Low maintenance cost than the previous generation
Used for some general purpose
Less power consumption than previous generation computers
IC with SSI and MSI technology were used

Limitations

Air conditioning required in many cases.
Highly refined technology required for the manufacturing of IC`s

Fourth Generation:

PC`s ( Personal computers) invented in the fourth generation. This generation computer made up of IC with VLSI, microprocessor, larger capacity hard drive, portable floppy disk drive.

Operating system with (GUI) Graphical user interface, high-level languages such as C and C++, network-based applications and object oriented programming concepts were introduced during the fourth generation.

Advantages

Smallest in size due to VLSI technology
High speed and very reliable
More stable hardware
Easily portable because of their small size
Also useful for General purpose

Limitations

Highly refined technology required for the manufacturing of IC`s

Fifth Generation:

Present computers exist under fifth generations, these computers are extremely high speed. Apart from this, it can perform parallel processing. The concept of Artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced. It is still in a developmental stage. All the features of the present computers covered under the fifth generation.

Computer Generations Image gallery (Images Source:- Google)