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Generation of Computers

The document describes the five generations of computers from 1942 to the present. The first generation used vacuum tubes and had large sizes, slow speeds, high costs, and high failure rates. The second generation used transistors and saw improvements in size, speed, cost, and reliability. The third generation used integrated circuits and saw further improvements while introducing high-level languages and multiprogramming. The fourth generation used microprocessors and had typewriter-sized machines with tens of millions of instructions per second. The fifth generation, still in development, aims to develop artificial intelligence and expert systems.

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Zamantha Mae Limpiada
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17 views

Generation of Computers

The document describes the five generations of computers from 1942 to the present. The first generation used vacuum tubes and had large sizes, slow speeds, high costs, and high failure rates. The second generation used transistors and saw improvements in size, speed, cost, and reliability. The third generation used integrated circuits and saw further improvements while introducing high-level languages and multiprogramming. The fourth generation used microprocessors and had typewriter-sized machines with tens of millions of instructions per second. The fifth generation, still in development, aims to develop artificial intelligence and expert systems.

Uploaded by

Zamantha Mae Limpiada
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

First Generation Computers (1942 to 1954) – Based


on Vacuum Tubes
The first generation computers were used vaccum tubes as the main electronic part.
For memory devices punch card and paper tapes were used. Magnetic drums are also
used for storage .At that time memory was very expensive. Electronic time per
calculation ranged from 0.1 milliseconds to1 milliseconds. They uses two types of
computer programming languages, machine language and assembly language. A list of
popular first generation computers ENIAC, UNIVAC,EDVAC, and EDSAC.

Computer Characteristics & Capabilities –

 Size – Relatively big size .Size was equivalent to a room.


 Speed – slow speed, hundred instructions per second.
 Cost – cost was very high.
 Language– Machine and Assembly Language.
 Reliability – high failure rate , Failure of circuits per second.
 Power– high power Consumption and it generated much heat.

2. Second Generation of Computers (1955 to 1964) – Based on


Transistor
The invention of transistor lead to start the second generation of computers. Vaccum
tubes are replaced by transistors. For data storage magnetic tapes and magnetic tapes
and magnetic disks were used. For programming purpose besides machine and
assembly languages, high level languages were also used like FORTRAN, COBOL and
BASIC etc.

Computer Characteristics & Capabilities –

 Size – Smaller than first generation Computers.


 Speed – Relatively fast as compared to first generation, thousand instructions per
second.
 Cost – cost Slightly lower than first generation.
 Language – Assembly Language and High level languages like FORTRAN,
COBOL,BASIC.
 Reliability – Failure of circuits per days.
 Power– Low power Consumption.
3. Third Generation of Computers (1965 to 1974) – Based
on Integrated Circuit
In this generation of computers transistors are replaced by its integrated form, known
as integrated Circuits(IC). Mini computers were introduced in this generation.
Multiprogramming facility was developed.Size, cost, power requirement and heat
generation decreased. High level languages were used in this generation. Processing
speed and storage capacity used of computer increased.

Computer Characteristics & Capabilities –

 Size – Smaller than Second generation Computers. Disk size mini computers.
 Speed – Relatively fast as compared to second generation, Million instructions
per second (MIPS).
 Cost – cost lower than Second generation.
 Language– High level languages like PASCAL, COBOL,BASIC,C etc.
 Reliability – Failure of circuits in Weeks.
 Power– Low power Consumption.

4.  Fourth Generation of Computers (1975– till now )- Based


on VLSI Microprocessor
The fourth generation computers started with the invention of Microprocessor.
Software is user friendly. Storage capacity is high. Size, cost, power requirement, heat
generation decreased compared to the previous generation. Problem-oriented fourth
generation language (4GL) is used to develop the program.

Computer Characteristics & Capabilities –

 Size – Typewritter size micro Computer.


 Speed – Relatively fast as compared to Third generation, Tens of Millions
instructions per second.
 Cost – Cost lower than third generation.
 Language– High level languages like C++,KL1 , RPG, SQL.
 Reliability – Failure of circuits in months.
 Power– Low power Consumption.
5. Fifth Generation of Computers ( Still in Process)-Based
on ULSI Microprocessor ,AI
In this generation of computer Artificial Intelligence (AI) concept is adopted. The
computers have intelligence quality, default assumptions, Decision making capability
etc. through these concepts expert systems. Knowledge based systems, Decision
Support System are developed. Robots are the common example of this type of system.
Generally this generation of system is expected to be intelligent as mankind. It may be
hear, understand and work as human being. Research and development are continued.

Computer Characteristics & Capabilities –

 Size –Credit card size micro computers.


 Speed – Billions instructions per second.
 Cost – Cost Slightly lower than first generation.
 Language– Artificial Intelligence (AI) Languages like LISP, PROLOG etc
 Reliability – Failure of circuits in year.
 Power– Low power Consumption.

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