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Computer-Generation

The document outlines the five generations of computers, detailing their time periods, key technologies, and characteristics. Each generation, from vacuum tube-based first generation to ULSI technology in the fifth generation, showcases advancements in reliability, size, power consumption, and programming languages. The evolution reflects significant technological progress in computer systems over the decades.

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Shivam Rathore
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2 views

Computer-Generation

The document outlines the five generations of computers, detailing their time periods, key technologies, and characteristics. Each generation, from vacuum tube-based first generation to ULSI technology in the fifth generation, showcases advancements in reliability, size, power consumption, and programming languages. The evolution reflects significant technological progress in computer systems over the decades.

Uploaded by

Shivam Rathore
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FUNDAMENTAL OF COMPUTER & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

MCA 1001

COMPUTER GENERATIONS

BY
HIMANSHU SHUKLA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER APPLICATION
UIET, CSJM UNIVERSITY, KANPUR
Generations of Computers
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was
being used. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying
hardware technologies. Nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software,
which together make up an entire computer system.
There are five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been
discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics. In the following
table, approximate dates against each generation has been mentioned, which are
normally accepted.
First Generation

The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.

Second Generation

The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.

 Third Generation

The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit


based.

 Fourth Generation

The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI


microprocessor based

 Fifth Generation

The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI


microprocessor based.
 First Generation Computers

The period of first generation was from 1946-1959. The computers of first
generation used vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and
circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes, like electric bulbs,
produced a lot of heat and the installations used to fuse frequently. Therefore,
they were very expensive and only large organizations were able to afford it.
In this generation, mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch
cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape was used as input and output devices. The
computers in this generation used machine code as the programming language.

 The main features of the first generation are:

•Vacuum tube technology


•Unreliable
•Supported machine language only
•Very costly
•Generates lot of heat
•Slow input and output devices
•Huge size
•Need of AC
•Non-portable
•Consumes lot of electricity
 Second Generation Computers

The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this generation,


transistors were used that were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in
size, more reliable and faster than the first-generation machines made of vacuum
tubes. In this generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory and
magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices.
In this generation, assembly language and high-level programming languages like
FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and
multiprogramming operating system.

 The main features of second generation are:

•Use of transistors
•Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
•Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
•Generates less heat as compared to first generation computers
•Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
•Faster than first generation computers
•Still very costly
•AC required
•Supported machine and assembly languages
 The main features of third generation are:

•IC used
•More reliable in comparison to previous two
generations
•Smaller size
•Generated less heat
•Faster
•Lesser maintenance
•Costly
•AC required
•Consumed lesser electricity
•Supported high-level language

 Some computers of this generation were:

•IBM-360 series
•Honeywell-6000 series
•PDP (Personal Data Processor)
•IBM-370/168
•TDC-316
 Fourth Generation Computers

The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers of fourth generation
used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000
transistors and other circuit elements with their associated circuits on a single chip made
it possible to have microcomputers of fourth generation.
Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable.
As a result, it gave rise to Personal Computer (PC) revolution. In this generation, time
sharing, real time networks, distributed operating system were used. All the high-level
languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., were used in this generation.

 The main features of fourth generation are:

• VLSI technology used


• Very cheap
• Portable and reliable
• Use of PCs
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No AC required
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great developments in the fields of networks
• Computers became easily available
 Fifth Generation Computers

The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, VLSI
technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in
the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic
components.
This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial
Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which
interprets the means and method of making computers think like human beings. All
the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this
generation.

 The main features of fifth generation are:

• ULSI technology
• Development of true artificial intelligence
• Development of Natural language processing
• Advancement in Parallel Processing
• Advancement in Superconductor technology
• More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
• Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates
 References:

1. Fundamental of Computers – By P.K. Sinha


2. Fundamental of Computers – By V.Rajaraman B.P.B.Publication
3. www.tutorialspoint.com
4. https://www.javatpoint.com/computer-fundamentals-tutorial
5. https://www.tutorialsmate.com/

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