Generation Of Computers

 First Generation (1942-1955)

The first generation computers were very large in size and occupying more space. They used Vacuum tubes as basic electronic components. These computers were the fastest calculating machines in those days. ENIAC was the first electronic computer. It was developed by a team headed by professors J. Presper Eckert and Jhon Mauchly. The ENIAC used thousands of Vacuum tubes. FORTRAN is a high-level language developed by IBM in This generation.

Example:  ENIAC ( Electrical numerical integrator and calculator ), EDVAC ( Electronic discrete variable automatic computer ), EDSAC ( Electronic delay storage automatic computer ), UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer).

 

Vacuum Tube

Features:

• Used Vacuum tubes.
• Based on Machine level and Assembly level languages.
• Memory was made of Magnetic drums.

Disadvantages:

• Large in size Occupied More space.
• Consume more power and required regular maintenance.
• Required air conditioning because of heat generated by Vacuum tubes.
• High cost.
• Very difficult to operate.
• Work very slow.
• Can't Move one place to another because they were very heavy in size.

Second Generation(1955-1964) 

The second-generation computer used a device called 'Transistor' in the place of 'Vacuum tube'. In 1947 three scientists, Jhon Bardeen, William Shockley, and Walter Brattain working at AT and T's Bell Labs invented Transistor. This transistor is a smaller device, which is more reliable than the vacuum tube. It consumed less power and emitted less heat. During this period, the first operating system was developed to communicate with computers.

Transistor

Example: UNIVAC 1108, IBM 1620, IBM-1401

Features:

• Used Transistors.
• Required less power to Run.
• Reduced Size. 
• Faster than 1st generation computers.
• Able to store some Data.
• Magnetic core memory used as Internal memory. 

Disadvantages:

Required air conditioning like the first generation of computers because they produced some amount of heat.

Third Generation(1964-1970)

The third generation computer used I.C (integrated circuits) in the place of 'Transistor'.This generation of computers was less expensive, smaller, faster, and accurate than second-generation computers. This generation rises mini computers. The first mini computer was PDP-8 which was big as a refrigerator.

Example: PDP, IBM 360, ICL

integrated circuit

Features:-

• Used Integrated Circuits.
• Faster, Smaller, and Reliable as compared to 1st and 2nd Generation. 
• Store large amounts of data as compared to the 2nd Generation.
• Used less Electricity.
• Less cost.

Fourth Generation(1971-Present)

In 1970 Ted Hoff developed a small chip at intel corporation. This small chip contains all CPU circuits of a computer. This chip named Intel 4004 and given a technical name as the microprocessor. Computers having microprocessors were called microcomputers.

Fourth-generation computers use semiconductor internal memory and new types of Softwares which make computers more efficient, reliable, and speedier.

Example: IBM-4300, Apple ii

Microprocessor

Features:-

• Used Microprocessor.
• They are cheaper and faster as compared to the 3rd generation computer.
• Easy to use and maintain.
• Used language C, C++ , java etc.
• High storage capacity.
• Used for general purpose and commercial purposes.

Fifth Generation(Present-Future)

Computers can not take decisions, but scientists are working to produce intelligent computers which can take decisions of their own, which can think like humans. Artificial intelligence is being built into computers.