Generation of computer

             Generation of computer

Ø First generation

§  Introduction:

·     1946-1959 is the period of first generation computer.

·     J.P.Eckert and J.W.Mauchy invented the first successful electronic computer called ENIAC, ENIAC stands for “Electronic Numeric Integrated And Calculator”.

§  Few Examples are:

·     ENIAC

·     EDVAC

·     UNIVAC

·     IBM-701

·     IBM-650

§  Advantages:

·     It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component available during those days.

·     These computers could calculate in milliseconds.

§  Disadvantages:

·     These were very big in size, weight was about 30 tones.

·     These computers were based on vacuum tubes.

·     These computers were very costly.

·     It could store only a small amount of information due to the presence of magnetic drums.

·     As the invention of first generation computers involves vacuum tubes, so another disadvantage of these computers was, vacuum tubes require a large cooling system.

·     Very less work efficiency.

·     Limited programming capabilities and punch cards were used to take inputs.

·     Large amount of energy consumption.

·     Not reliable and constant maintenance is required.

Ø Second generation

§  Introduction:

·     1959-1965 is the period of second-generation computer.

·     .Second generation computers were based on Transistor instead of vacuum tubes.

§  Few Examples are:

·     Honeywell 400

·     IBM 7094

·     CDC 1604

·     CDC 3600

·     UNIVAC 1108

§  Advantages:

·     Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes, the size of electron component decreased. This resulted in reducing the size of a computer as compared to first generation computers.

·     Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first genration.

·     Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.

·     Low cost than first generation computers.

·     Better speed, calculate data in microseconds.

·     Better portability as compared to first generation

§  Disadvantages:

·     A cooling system was required.

·     Constant maintenance was required.

·     Only used for specific purposes.

Ø Third generation

§  Introduction:

·     1965-1971 is the period of third generation computer.

·     These computers were based on Integrated circuits.

·     IC was invented by Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby In 1958-1959.

·     IC was a single component containing number of transistors.

§  Few Examples are:

·     PDP-8

·     PDP-11

·     ICL 2900

·     IBM 360

·     IBM 370

§  Advantages:

·     These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation computers.

·     They were fast and reliable.

·     Use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.

·     IC not only reduce the size of the computer but it also improves the performance of the computer as compared to previous computers.

·     This generation of computers has big storage capacity.

·     Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard are used for input.

·     They used an operating system for better resource management and used the concept of time-sharing and multiple programming.

·     These computers reduce the computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds.

§  Disadvantages:

·     IC chips are difficult to maintain.

·     The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.

·     Air conditioning is required.

Ø Fourth generation

§   Introduction:

·     1971-1980 is the period of fourth generation computer.

·     This technology is based on Microprocessor.

·     A microprocessor is used in a computer for any logical and arithmetic function to be performed in any program.

·     Graphics User Interface (GUI) technology was exploited to offer more comfort to users.

§  Few Examples are:

·     IBM 4341

·     DEC 10

·     STAR 1000

·     PUP 11

§  Advantages:

·     Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the previous generation of computer.

·     Heat generated is negligible.

·     Small in size as compared to previous generation computers.

·     Less maintenance is required.

·     All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.

§  Disadvantages:

·     The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.

·     Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.

·     Advance technology is required to make the ICs.

Ø Fifth generation

§  Introduction:

·     The period of the fifth generation in 1980-onwards.

·     This generation is based on artificial intelligence.

·     The aim of the fifth generation is to make a device which could respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.

·     This generation is based on ULSI(Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic component.

§  Few Examples are:

·     Desktop

·     Laptop

·     NoteBook

·     UltraBook

·     Chromebook

§  Advantages:

·     It is more reliable and works faster.

·     It is available in different sizes and unique features.

·     It provides computers with more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features.

§  Disadvantages:

·     They need very low-level languages.

·     They may make the human brains dull and doomed.