History of Computer

Computer History
As we all knows that in earlier days (before 1990s) computers are
very costly. It means that any normal individual was not able to
purchase the computer at that time.

But in recent years, any normal people such students, school

teacher, college professors, doctors etc are able to afford laptops
or computers with new and advanced technology.

Computer Generation
Computers are divided into total of 5 generations listed below:

1. First generation computer

2. Second generation computer
3. Third generation computer
4. Fourth generation computer
5. Fifth generation computer

Generation of computer was changing due to arrival of new

technology.

Now let's briefly describe about all the above listed generations of
computer one by one.

First Generation Computers (1942 to 1955)

The beginning of commercial computer age is from UNIVAC
(Universal automatic computer). It was developed by two
scientists Mauchly and Echert at the Census Department of United
States in 1947.

The first generation computers were used during 1942 to 1955.

They were based on vacuum tubes.
The first computer machine named UNIVAC-1 was launched in
1951. This computer machine used magnetic medium for
input/output of data.

This computer worked successfully till the year 1963.

The technology used for those computers was valve Technology.

The main limitation of this technology was heavy power

consumption and not very high reliability.

Examples of first generation computers are ENIVAC and UNIVAC-

1.

Advantages of first generation computers

Here are the list of some advantages of using first generation

computer at that time:

 Vacuum tubes were the only electronic component available

during those days.
 Vacuum tube Technology made possible to make electronic
digital computers.
 These computers could calculate data in milliseconds.

Disadvantages of first generation computers

Here are the list of some disadvantages of using the first

generation computers at that time:

 The computers were very large in size

 They consume a large amount of energy
 They heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum tubes
 They were not very reliable
 Air conditioning was required
 Constant maintenance was required
 Costly commercial productions
 Limited commercial use
 Very slow speed
Second Generation Computer (1955 to
1964)
A new technology came into existence and therefore a new
generation of computer that is second generation computer also
came into existence.

The name of the technology was transistor Technology.

The second generation computers used transistors.

The scientists at Bell Laboratories developed transistor in 1947.

These scientists include John barden, William Brattain and William
Shockley.

The size of the computers was decreased by replacing vacuum

tubes with transistors.

Computers made on transistor Technology were:

 Smaller in size
 More reliable
 Highly efficient

In compare to first generation computer.

At that time, the computer named IBM-1401 was the most

popular.

This generation of computer, that is second generation computer

was in the existence from 1956 to 1963.

The examples of second generation computers are IBM 7094

series, IBM 1400 series and CDC 164 etc.

Advantages of second generation computers

Here are some of the main advantages of using second

generation computer at that time:
  Smaller in size as compared to the first generation
computers
 The second generation computers were more reliable
 Used less energy and were not heated
 Wider commercial use
 Better portability as compared to the first generation
computers
 Beta speed and could calculate data in microseconds
 Used faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks,
printer etc.

Disadvantages of second generation computers

And here are some of the main disadvantages of using second

generation computers at that time:

 Cooling system was required

 Constant maintenance was required
 Commercial production was difficult
 Only used for specific purposes
 Punch cards used for inputs

Third Generation Computer (1964 to 1975)

Now another new technology named integrated circuits that is ICs
came into existence and therefore the third generation computer
was also came into existence.

The third generation computers used the integrated circuits (ICs).

Jack kilby developed the concept of integrated circuits in 1958. It

was an important invention in the computer field.

The first IC was invented and used in 1961. The size of an IC is

about 1/4 square inch. a single IC chip main contain thousands of
transistors.

The computer became smaller in size, faster, more reliable and

less expensive.
Benefits of using all those computers that was made up on the
third generation over second generation:

 Less costly
 Small in size
 Consume less power
 Highly reliable

Those computers used more versatile programs like real time OS

that is operating system, multiprogramming techniques and
database management.

At that time, IBM-370 was the most popular machine among all at
that generation.

Examples of third generation computers are IBM 370, IBM

system/360, UNIVAC 1108 and UNIVAC AC 9000 etc.

Advantages of third generation computers

Following are some main advantages of using third generation

computers:

 Smaller in size as compared to previous generation

 More reliable
 Used less energy
 Better speed and could calculate data in nanoseconds
 Used fan for heat discharge to prevent damage

Disadvantages of third generation computers

Following are some main disadvantages of using third generation

computers:

 Air conditioning was required

 Highly sophisticated Technology was required for the
manufacturing of IC chips

Fourth Generation Computer (1975 to

present)
Fourth generation computer starts from the year, 1971. At that
time there was an invention of microprocessor chip that has
created a revolution in the computer world.

The fourth generation computers started with the invention of

microprocessor. The microprocessor contains thousands of ICs.

Ted Hoff produced the first microprocessor in 1971 for Intel. It

was known as Intel 4004. The technology of integrated circuits
improved rapidly. The LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuit and
VLSI (Very large Scale Integration) circuit was designed. It greatly
reduced the size of computer.

The size of modern microprocessors is usually 1 square inch. It

can contain millions of electronic circuits.

We are using microprocessor chip from that time (1971) to

present or you can says that fourth generation computer are from
1971 to present time.

Examples of fourth generation computers are Apple Macintosh

and IBM PC.

Advantages of fourth generation of computers

Following are the advantages of using all those computer

machine that are based on fourth generation over previous
generation:

 Much faster
 Less expensive
 More powerful and reliable than previous generations
 Small in size
 Uses advanced techniques
 Have greater data processing capacity than equivalent size
previous generation computer that is third generation
computers
 Fast processing power with less power consumption
 Fan for heat discharging and thus to keep cold
  No air conditioning required
 Uses advance application software package like process
controller, relational database management, electronic
spreadsheet, CAD (Computer aided design).
 All types of high level languages can be used in this type of
computers

Disadvantages of fourth generation computers

Below is the main disadvantages of fourth generation computers:

 The latest technology is required for manufacturing of

microprocessors

Fifth Generation Computer (present to

beyond)
This generation is in under development.

Scientists are working hard on the fifth generation computers with

quick of few breakthroughs. It is based on the technique of
artificial intelligence (AI).

All those computer machines that will made on the basis of 5th
generation computer will use parallel processing techniques and
artificial intelligence. Parallel processing techniques and artificial
intelligence are basically similar to the one used by our brain that
is human brain. Therefore all those computers that will made on
5th generation techniques are being designed to think as the
brain of human beings do.

Computers can understand spoken words and imitate human

reasoning. Can respond to its surroundings using different types
of sensors.

Scientist are constantly working to increase the processing power

of computers. They are trying to create a computer with real IQ
with the help of advanced programming and technology.
IBM Watson computer is one example that outsmarts Harvard
University students. The advancement in modern Technologies
will revolutionize the computer in future.

Types of Computer on basis of

Structure
Computers are divided into three types according to their
structure, speed architecture:

 Analogue computers
 Digital computers
 Hybrid computers

Analogue Computers
The computer which provide us continuous information are called
analogue computers.

Analogue computers represent physical quantities in the form of

waves or in continuous form.

Examples of Analogue Computers

Thermometer is the example of analogue computer because it

measures the length of a Mercury column continuously.

Traditional clock is also an example of analogue computer

because the needle of clock covers the distance of dial
continuously.

Weight machine and speedometer are other examples of

analogue computers.

Characteristics of Analogue Computers

Here are some of the main characteristics of analogue computer:

 have no state
  fast speed
 not reliable
 base for digital computers
 difficult to operate and use
 easy to develop
 have a small memory

Digital Computers
The computers which present physical quantities with the help of
symbols or numbers and provide us discrete information are
called digital computers.

Examples of Digital Computers

Digital watch, digital petrol stations, and the computer which we

use nowadays are the examples of digital computers.

Characteristics of the Digital Computers

Here are some of the main characteristics of digital computers:

 have two states On (0) and Off (1)

 easy to use
 human being like to use digital computers
 reliable
 have big memory
 working speed is slower as compared to analogue computers
 are further divided into different categories such as personal
computers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers

Hybrid Computers
The computers which have qualities of both digital and analogue
computers are called hybrid computers.

Hybrid computer has the speed of analogue and the accuracy of

digital computer.

Examples of Hybrid Computers

In ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of a hospital, hybrid computers are
used. These computers analogue quality controls the temperature
of the room digital quality inform the doctor about the blood
pressure, temperature, and physical status of the patient.

In Cement factory a hybrid computer is used where all

calculations are performed by the digital computers and actions
like increase of material are performed by the analogue
computers.

Characteristics of the Hybrid Computers

Here are the list of some main characteristics of hybrid

computers:

 reliable and provide accurate result

 fast and speedy