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Generations of Computer: First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation

1. There were four generations of computers described in the document. The first generation used vacuum tubes, the second used transistors, the third used integrated circuits, and the fourth used microprocessors. 2. There are four main types of computers: super computers, mainframe computers, mini computers, and microcomputers. Super computers are the most powerful, mainframes can process large amounts of data and support many users, mini computers perform better than micros but not as well as mainframes, and microcomputers are designed for single user use. 3. A computer has five main functional units: an input unit, memory unit, processor unit, control unit, and output unit.

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55 views

Generations of Computer: First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation

1. There were four generations of computers described in the document. The first generation used vacuum tubes, the second used transistors, the third used integrated circuits, and the fourth used microprocessors. 2. There are four main types of computers: super computers, mainframe computers, mini computers, and microcomputers. Super computers are the most powerful, mainframes can process large amounts of data and support many users, mini computers perform better than micros but not as well as mainframes, and microcomputers are designed for single user use. 3. A computer has five main functional units: an input unit, memory unit, processor unit, control unit, and output unit.

Uploaded by

Basharat Hussain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Generations of Computer

First Generation
Second Generation
Third Generation
Fourth Generation
First Generation
• Vacuum tubes were used – basic arithmetic operations took few
milliseconds
• Bulky
• Consume more power with limited performance
• 100 to 1000 fold increase in speed relative to the earlier mechanical
and relay based electromechanical technology
• Punched cards and paper tape were invented to feed programs and
data and to get results
Second Generation
• Transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes. (Invented at AT&T
Bell lab in 1947)
• Small in size
• Lesser power consumption and better performance Lower cost
• Magnetic ferrite core memories were used as main memory which is
a random-access non-volatile memory
• Punched cards continued during this period also.
• 1000 fold increase in speed.
Third Generation
• ICs were used
• Small Scale Integration and Medium Scale Integration technology
were implemented in CPU, I/O processors etc.
• Smaller & better performance
• Faster processors
• In the beginning magnetic core memories were used. Later they were
replaced by semiconductor memories (RAM & ROM)
• Operating system software were introduced (efficient sharing of a
computer system by several user programs)
Fourth Generation
• Microprocessors were introduced as CPU– Complete processors and
large section of main memory could be implemented in a single chip
• Tens of thousands of transistors can be placed in a single chip (VLSI
design implemented)
• Semiconductor memory chips were used as the main memory.
• Secondary memory was composed of hard disks – Floppy disks &
magnetic tapes were used for backup memory
Types Of Computer
Four Types
Super Computer
Main Frame Computer
Mini Computer
Micro Computer
Super Computer
• Most powerful Computer system needs a large room
• Minimum world length is 64 bits
• CPU speed: 100 MIPS
• Equivalent to 4000computers
• High power consumption
• High precision
Main Frame Computer
• Able to process large amount of data at very high speed
• Supports multi-user facility 
• Number of processors varies from one to six. 
• Kept in air conditioned room to keep them cool
• Supports many I/O and auxiliary storage devices
• Supports network of terminals
Mini computer
• Perform better than micros 
• Large in size and costlier than micros 
• Designed to support more than one user at a time
• Possess large storage capacities and operates at higher speed
• Support faster peripheral devices like high speed printers
• Can also communicate with main frames
Micro Computer
• A microcomputer uses a microprocessor as its central Processing Unit.
Microcomputers are tiny computers that can vary in size from a single
chip to the size of a desktop model
• They are designed to be used by only one person at a time
• Small to medium data storage capacities 500MB – 2GB
• The common examples of microcomputers are chips used in washing
machines, TVs, Cars and Note book/Personal computers.
Functional Units Of Computer

Five Major functional Units


Input Unit
Memory Unit
Processor Unit
Control Unit
Output Unit

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