Computers are an integral part of our daily lives, now most people take them and what they have added to life totally for granted.
Furthermore, the generation that has grown from infancy into the global desktop and laptop computer revolution since the 1980s.
The history of the computer goes back several decades, however, and there are five definable generations of computers.
Each generation is defined by a major technological development that fundamentally changes the way computers work, resulting in machines that are more compact, less expensive, yet more powerful, efficient, and robust.
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.
Today, a computer can be used to write documents, send email, play games, and surf the Web.
It can also be used to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos. But the evolution of this complex system began around 1946 with the first Generation of Computers and has evolved ever since.
What are the five generations of computers?
In this Webopedia Study Guide, you will learn about each of the five generations of computers and the advances in technology that have led to the development of the many computing devices we use today.
Our journey of five generations of computers begins in 1940 with vacuum tube circuits and continues to the present day – and beyond – with artificial intelligence (AI) systems and devices.
1940 – 1956: First Generation – Vacuum Tubes
These early computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.
As a result, they were huge, literally taking up entire rooms and costing a fortune to run.
These were inefficient materials that generated a lot of heat, sucked in a lot of electricity, and subsequently generated a lot of heat, leading to continual breakdowns.
These first generation computers were based on «machine language» (which is the most basic programming language that computers can understand).
These computers were limited to solving one problem at a time. Input relied on punch cards and paper tape.
The output came out in prints. The two most prominent machines of this era were the UNIVAC and ENIAC machines – the UNIVAC is the first commercial computer which was purchased in 1951 by a company – the United States Census Bureau.
Few Examples are:
ENIACEDVACUNIVACIBM-701IBM-650
Advantages:
He used vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component available during those days. These computers could calculate in milliseconds.
Disadvantages:
These were very large in size, the weight was around 30 tons. These computers were based on vacuum tubes. These computers were very expensive. They could only store a small amount of information due to the presence of magnetic drums. As the invention Most of the first generation computers involve vacuum tubes, so another disadvantage of these computers was that vacuum tubes require a large cooling system. Less work efficiency. Limited programming capabilities and punch cards were used to take inputs. High energy consumption. Reliable and constant maintenance is not necessary.
1956 – 1963: Second Generation – Transistors
The replacement of vacuum tubes by transistors ushered in the second generation of computing.
Although they were first invented in 1947, transistors didn’t see significant use in computers until the late 1950s.
They were a vast improvement over the vacuum tube, even though they still subject computers to damaging levels of heat.
However, they were vastly superior to vacuum tubes, making computers smaller, faster, cheaper, and less heavy on electricity. They still relied on the punch card for input/printing.
The language evolved from a cryptic binary language to a symbolic («assembler») language. This meant that programmers could create instructions in words.
At about the same time, high-level programming languages (early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN) were being developed.
Transistor-driven machines were the first computers to store instructions in their memories, moving from magnetic drum to magnetic core «technology.»
The first versions of these machines were developed for the atomic energy industry.
From binary to assembly
Second-generation computers moved from a cryptic binary machine language to symbolic or assembly languages, allowing programmers to specify instructions in words.
High-level programming languages were also being developed, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN.
These were also the first computers to store their instructions in their memory, moving from magnetic drum to magnetic core technology.
The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.
Few Examples are:
Honeywell 400IBM 7094CDC 1604CDC 3600UNIVAC 1108
Advantages:
Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes, the size of the electronic component decreased.
This resulted in the reduction of the size of a computer compared to first generation computers.
Less energy and do not produce as much heat as the first generation.
Assembly language and punch cards were used for input Lower cost than first generation computers Better speed, compute data in microseconds Better portability compared to first generation
Disadvantages:
A refrigeration system was required. Constant maintenance was required. Only used for specific purposes.
1964 – 1971: Third generation – Integrated circuits
In this phase, transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips (called semiconductors).
This led to a massive increase in the speed and efficiency of these machines. These were the first computers where users interacted using keyboards and monitors that interfaced with an operating system, which was a significant leap from punch cards and printouts.
This allowed these machines to run multiple applications at once using a central program that worked to monitor memory.
As a result of these advances, which again made the machines cheaper and smaller, a new mass user market emerged during the 1960s.
Few Examples are:
PDP-8PDP-11ICL 2900IBM 360IBM 370
Advantages:
These computers were cheaper compared to the second generation.
They were fast and reliable.
The use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.
IC not only reduces the size of the computer, but also improves the performance of the computer compared to previous computers.
This generation of computers has a large storage capacity.
Instead of punch cards, the mouse and keyboard are used for data entry.
They used an operating system for better resource management and used the concept of timesharing and multiple scheduling.
These computers reduce computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds.
Disadvantages:
IC chips are difficult to maintain. Highly sophisticated technology required for IC chip manufacturing. Air conditioning is required.
1972 – 2010: Fourth Generation – Microprocessors
This revolution can be summed up in one word: Intel. The chipmaker developed the Intel 4004 chip in 1971, which put all of the computer’s components (CPU, memory, input/output controls) on a single chip.
What filled a room in the 1940s now fit in the palm of your hand. The Intel chip housed thousands of integrated circuits.
In 1981 the first computer (IBM) designed specifically for home use was created and in 1984 Apple’s MacIntosh was introduced.
Microprocessors have even moved beyond the realm of computers and have become part of an increasing number of everyday products.
The increased power of these small computers meant that they could connect, creating networks. Which ultimately led to the development, birth, and rapid evolution of the Internet.
Other major advances during this period have been the graphical user interface (GUI), the mouse, and more recently the amazing advances in the capability of the laptop and handheld devices.
Few Examples are:
IBM 4341DEC 10STAR 1000PUP 11
Advantages:
The fastest in computing and size are reduced compared to the previous generation of computers.
The heat generated is negligible.
Small in size compared to previous generation computers.
Less maintenance is required.
All types of high-level language can be used on this type of computer.
Disadvantages:
The design and manufacture of the microprocessor are very complex.
Air conditioning is necessary in many cases due to the presence of CIs.
Advanced technology is required to manufacture the ICs.
2010- : Fifth Generation – Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence computing devices are still in development, but some of these technologies are beginning to emerge and be used, such as speech recognition.
AI is a reality that is possible thanks to the use of parallel processors and superconductors.
Looking to the future, computers will be radically transformed again thanks to quantum computing, molecular technology and nanotechnology.
The essence of the fifth generation will be to use these technologies to create machines that can process and respond to natural language, and that have the ability to learn and organize.
Introduction:
The fifth generation period from 1980.
This generation is based on artificial intelligence.
The goal of the fifth generation is to create a device that can respond to natural language input and is capable of learning and self-organizing.
This generation is based on ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology which results in the production of microprocessor chips with ten million electronic components.
Few Examples are:
DeskLaptopNotebook
UltraBook Chromatography Book
…. and many more
Advantages:
It is more reliable and runs faster. It is available in different sizes and unique features. It provides computers with more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features.
Disadvantages:
They need very low-level languages. They can make human brains…