Generations of Computers - Computer Fundamentals

The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of your time. It was around the 16th century when the evolution of the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for the better. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accuracy, size, and price to urge the form of the fashionable day computer. 

Basic Terms Related to Computers

• Vacuum Tube: Vacuum tubes have the functionality of controlling the flow of electrons in a vacuum. Generally, it is used in switches, amplifiers, radio, televisions, etc.
• Transistor: A transistor helps in controlling the flow of electricity in devices, it works as an amplifier or a switch.
• Integrated Circuit (IC): Integrated circuits are silicon chips that contain their circuit elements like transistors, resistors, etc.
• Microprocessors: Microprocessors are the components that contain the CPU and its circuits and are present in the Integrated Circuit.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is called the brain of the computer. CPU performs processing and operations work.
• Magnetic Drum: Magnetic Drum is like a cylinder that stores data and cylinder.
• Magnetic Core: Magnetic cores are used to store information. These are arrays of small rings.
• Machine Language: The binary language that a computer accepts; also known as a low-level programming language.
• Memory: Used to store data, information, and programs.
• Artificial Intelligence: Deals with creating intelligent machines and behaviours.

Phases of Computer Generations

The evolution of computers is divided into five generations:

Before computers, we used calculators, spreadsheets, and computer algebra systems, mathematicians and inventors searched for solutions to ease the burden of calculation. 

Below are the 8 Mechanical Calculators before modern computers were invented.

1.  Abacus (ca. 2700 BC)
2. Pascal’s Calculator (1652)
3. Stepped Reckoner (1694)
4. Arithmometer (1820)
5. Comptometer (1887) and Comptograph (1889)
6. The Difference Engine (1822)
7. Analytical Engine (1834)
8. The Millionaire (1893)

First Generation Computers

The technology behind the primary generation of computers was a fragile glass device, which was called a vacuum tube. These computers were very heavy and really large. These weren't very reliable, and programming on them was a tedious task as they used a low-level programming language and had no OS. First-generation computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purposes. They were too bulky and large; they needed a full room and consumed a lot of electricity. Punch cards were used to improve the information for external storage. Magnetic card used. Machine and assembly language is developed.

Examples of some main first-generation computers are mentioned below.

• ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been cumbersome, and large, and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes.
• EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was designed by von Neumann. It could store data also as instruction and thus the speed was enhanced.
• UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computer was developed in 1952 by Eckert and Mauchly.

Characteristics of First-Generation Computers

Second Generation Computers

Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes. Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit.

Transistors were invented in Bell Labs. The use of transistors made it possible to perform powerfully and with due speed. It reduced the dimensions and price and thankfully the warmth too, which was generated by vacuum tubes. Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language, and input, and output units also came into the force within the second generation.

The programming language was shifted from high level to programming language and made programming comparatively a simple task for programmers. Languages used for programming during this era were FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959).

Characteristics of Second-Generation Computers

Third Generation Computers

During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors to integrated circuits, also referred to as ICs. Here, a variety of transistors were placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors. The most important feature of this era’s computers was speed and reliability. IC was made from silicon, also called silicon chips.

The computer programs was designed to make the machine work. Operating system was a program designed to handle a machine completely. Because of the operating system machine could execute multiple jobs simultaneously. Integrated circuits were used to replace many transistors used in the second generation.

A single IC has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on one thin slice of silicon. The value size was reduced, and memory space and dealing efficiency were increased during this generation. Programming was now wiped out Higher level languages like BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code). Minicomputers found their shape during this era.

Characteristics of Third-Generation Computers

Fourth Generation Computers

In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large-scale of integration LSI circuits built on one chip called microprocessors. The advantage of this technology is that one microprocessor can contain all the circuits required to perform arithmetic, logic, and control functions on one chip. LSI placed thousands of transistors onto a single chip.

The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation provided even smaller-sized computers with larger capacities. That's not enough, then Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced LSI circuits. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the pc from the central processing unit and memory to input/ output controls on one chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce drastically. VLSI placed several hundred thousand transistors on a single silicon chip. This silicon chip is known as the microprocessor.

Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed, and virtual memory made it a more user-friendly and customary device. The concept of private computers and computer networks came into being within the fourth generation.

Characteristics of Fourth-Generation  Computers

Fifth Generation Computers

The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to behave like humans. It is often seen in programs like voice recognition, the area of medicine, and entertainment. Within the field of game playing also it has also shown remarkable performance where computers are capable of beating human competitors.

The speed is the highest, the size is the smallest and the area of use has remarkably increased within the fifth generation computers. Though not a hundred per cent AI has been achieved to date, keeping in sight the present developments, it is often said that this dream also will become a reality very soon.

To summarize the features of varied generations of computers, it is often said that a big improvement has been seen so far because of the speed and accuracy of functioning care, but if we mention the dimensions, it's been small over the years. The value is additionally diminishing and reliability is increasing.

Characteristics of Fifth-Generation Computers

Also Read: History of Computers