GENERATION OF COMPUETR

History of Computers Generation

The word ‘computer’ has a very interesting origin. It was first used in the 16th century for a person who used to compute, i.e. do calculations. The word was used in the same sense as a noun until the 20th century. Women were hired as human computers to carry out all forms of calculations and computations.

By the last part of the 19th century, the word was also used to describe machines that did calculations. The modern day use of the word is generally to describe programmable digital devices that run on electricity.

Early History of Computer

Since the evolution of humans, devices have been used for calculations for thousands of years. One of the earliest and well-known devices was an abacus. Then in 1822, the father of computers, Charles Babbage began developing what would be the first mechanical computer. And then it 1833 he actually designed an Analytical Engine which was a general purpose computer. It contained an ALU, some basic flow chart principles and the concept of integrated memory.

Then more than a century later in the history of computers, we got our first electronic computer for general purpose. It was the ENIAC, which stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The inventors of this computer were John W. Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert.

And with times the technology developed and the computers got smaller and the processing got faster. We got our first laptop in 1981 and it was introduced by Adam Osborne and EPSON

Generations of Computers

In the history of computers, we often refer to the advancements of modern computers as the generation of computers. We are currently on the fifth generation of computers. So let us look at the important features of these five generations of computers.

• 1st Generation: This was from the period of 1940 to 1955. This was when machine language was developed for the use of computers. They used vacuum tubes for the circuitry. For the purpose of memory, they used magnetic drums.
• 2nd Generation: Here they advanced from vacuum tubes to transistors. This made the computers smaller, faster and more energy efficient. And they advanced from binary to assembly languages.
• 3rd Generation: The hallmark of this period (1964-1971) was the development of the integrated circuit.
• 4th Generation: The invention of the microprocessors brought along the fourth generation of computers. This was when we started producing computers for home use. Another important aspect is the development of higher computer languages like C++ and Java.
• 5th Generation: This is the present and the future of the computer world. The defining aspect of this generation is artificial intelligence. The use of parallel processing and superconductors are making this a reality and provide a lot of scope for the future.

Practice Questions for You

Q: The principle of modern computers was proposed by ____

1. Steve Jobs
2. Adam Osborne
3. Alan Turing
4. Charles Babbage

Ans: The correct answer is C.

Q: Who introduced the first computer form home use in 1981?

1. IMB
2. Apple
3. Microsoft
4. Sun Technology

Ans: Answer is A. IBM made the first home use personal computer.

Q: Third generation computers used which programming language?

1. Java
2. Machine language
3. FORTRAN
4. C and C++

Ans: The correct option is D

In Other Language of Generations of Computer

Introduction:
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.
Nowadays, a computer can be used to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web. It can also be used to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos. But the evolution of this complex system started around 1940 with the first Generation of Computer and evolving ever since.

There are five generations of computers.

FIRST GENERATION

• Introduction:
  1. 1946-1959 is the period of first generation computer.
  2. 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:
  1. ENIAC
  2. EDVAC
  3. UNIVAC
  4. IBM-701
  5. IBM-650
  …
• Advantages:
  1. It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component available during those days.
  2. These computers could calculate in milliseconds.
• Disadvantages:
  1. These were very big in size, weight was about 30 tones.
  2. These computers were based on vacuum tubes.
  3. These computers were very costly.
  4. It could store only a small amount of information due to the presence of magnetic drums.
  5. As the invention of first generation computers involves vacuum tubes, so another disadvantage of these computers was, vacuum tubes require a large cooling system.
  6. Very less work efficiency.
  7. Limited programming capabilities and punch cards were used to take inputs.
  8. Large amount of energy consumption.
  9. Not reliable and constant maintenance is required.



SECOND GENERATION

• Introduction:
  1. 1959-1965 is the period of second-generation computer.
  2. 3.Second generation computers were based on Transistor instead of vacuum tubes.
• Few Examples are:
  1. Honeywell 400
  2. IBM 7094
  3. CDC 1604
  4. CDC 3600
  5. UNIVAC 1108
  … many more
• Advantages:
  1. 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.
  2. Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first genration.
  3. Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.
  4. Low cost than first generation computers.
  5. Better speed, calculate data in microseconds.
  6. Better portability as compared to first generation
• Disadvantages:
  1. A cooling system was required.
  2. Constant maintenance was required.
  3. Only used for specific purposes.



THIRD GENERATION

• Introduction:
  1. 1965-1971 is the period of third generation computer.
  2. These computers were based on Integrated circuits.
  3. IC was invented by Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby In 1958-1959.
  4. IC was a single component containing number of transistors.
• Few Examples are:
  1. PDP-8
  2. PDP-11
  3. ICL 2900
  4. IBM 360
  5. IBM 370
  … and many more
• Advantages:
  1. These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation computers.
  2. They were fast and reliable.
  3. Use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.
  4. IC not only reduce the size of the computer but it also improves the performance of the computer as compared to previous computers.
  5. This generation of computers has big storage capacity.
  6. Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard are used for input.
  7. They used an operating system for better resource management and used the concept of time-sharing and multiple programming.
  8. These computers reduce the computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds.
• Disadvantages:
  1. IC chips are difficult to maintain.
  2. The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.
  3. Air conditioning is required.



FOURTH GENERATION

• Introduction:
  1. 1971-1980 is the period of fourth generation computer.
  2. This technology is based on Microprocessor.
  3. A microprocessor is used in a computer for any logical and arithmetic function to be performed in any program.
  4. Graphics User Interface (GUI) technology was exploited to offer more comfort to users.
• Few Examples are:
  1. IBM 4341
  2. DEC 10
  3. STAR 1000
  4. PUP 11
  … and many more
• Advantages:
  1. Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the previous generation of computer.
  2. Heat generated is negligible.
  3. Small in size as compared to previous generation computers.
  4. Less maintenance is required.
  5. All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.
• Disadvantages:
  1. The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.
  2. Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.
  3. Advance technology is required to make the ICs.



FIFTH GENERATION

• Introduction:
  1. The period of the fifth generation in 1980-onwards.
  2. This generation is based on artificial intelligence.
  3. 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.
  4. 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:
  1. Desktop
  2. Laptop
  3. NoteBook
  4. UltraBook
  5. Chromebook
  … and many more
• Advantages:
  1. It is more reliable and works faster.
  2. It is available in different sizes and unique features.
  3. It provides computers with more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features.
• Disadvantages:
1. They need very low-level languages.
2. They may make the human brains dull and doomed.

How many generations of computers are there?

Computer generations are based on when major technological changes in computers occurred, like the use of vacuum tubes, transistors, and the microprocessor. As of 2018, there are five generations of the computer.

Review each of the generations below for more information and examples of computers and technology that fall into each generation.

• First generation
• Second generation
• Third generation
• Fourth generation
• Fifth generation

First generation (1940 - 1956)

The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as a major piece of technology. Vacuum tubes were widely used in computers from 1940 through 1956. Vacuum tubes were larger components and resulted in first generation computers being quite large in size, taking up a lot of space in a room. Some of the first generation computers took up an entire room.

The ENIAC is a great example of a first generation computer. It consisted of nearly 20,000 vacuum tubes, as well as 10,000 capacitors and 70,000 resistors. It weighed over 30 tons and took up a lot of space, requiring a large room to house it. Other examples of first generation computers include the EDSAC, IBM 701, and Manchester Mark 1.

Second generation (1956 - 1963)

The second generation of computers saw the use of transistors instead of vacuum tubes. Transistors were widely used in computers from 1956 to 1963. Transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes and allowed computers to be smaller in size, faster in speed, and cheaper to build.

The first computer to use transistors was the TX-0 and was introduced in 1956. Other computers that used transistors include the IBM 7070, Philco Transac S-1000, and RCA 501.

Third generation (1964 - 1971)

The third generation of computers introduced the use of IC (integrated circuits) in computers. Using IC's in computers helped reduce the size of computers even more compared to second-generation computers, as well as make them faster.

Nearly all computers since the mid to late 1960s have utilized IC's. While the third generation is considered by many people to have spanned from 1964 to 1971, IC's are still used in computers today. Over 45 years later, today's computers have deep roots going back to the third generation.

Fourth generation (1972 - 2010)

The fourth generation of computers took advantage of the invention of the microprocessor, more commonly known as a CPU. Microprocessors, along with integrated circuits, helped make it possible for computers to fit easily on a desk and for the introduction of the laptop.

Some of the earliest computers to use a microprocessor include the Altair 8800, IBM 5100, and Micral. Today's computers still use a microprocessor, despite the fourth generation being considered to have ended in 2010.

Fifth generation (2010 to present)

The fifth generation of computers is beginning to use AI (artificial intelligence), an exciting technology that has many potential applications around the world. Leaps have been made in AI technology and computers, but there is still room for much improvement.

One of the more well-known examples of AI in computers is IBM's Watson, which has been featured on the TV show Jeopardy as a contestant. Other better-known examples include Apple's Siri on the iPhone and Microsoft's Cortana on Windows 8 and Windows 10 computers. The Google search engine also utilizes AI to process user searches.

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