Generations of Computer

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.
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.
 Father of Computer
Computer first idea gives Charles Babbage(1791-1871).
It is also called the Father of Computer.
Ada lovelace(1815-1852) work with Charles Babbage to making
computer.
It introduce first Algorithm.
Ada lovelace is a first programmer.
 FIRST GENERATION
Introduction:1946-1959 is the period of first generation computer.
J.P and J.W invented the first successful electronic computer called
ENIAC, ENIAC stands for “Electronic Numeric Integrated And Calculator”.
Few Examples are: ENIAC
EDSAC(Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator)
EDVA(Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Calculator)
UNIVAC(Universal Automatic Calculator)
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.
 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
… many more
 Advantages:
• Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes, the size of electronic
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 generation.
• 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.
THIRD GENERATION
Introduction:
1965-1971 is the period of third generation computer.
These computers were based on Integrated circuits.
IC was a single component containing number of transistors.
Few Examples are:
PDP-8
PDP-11
ICL 2900
IBM 360
IBM 370
… and many more
 SSI and MSI
SSI (Small Scale Integration): The first integrated circuits which contains
10-1000 transistors/chip or 3-30 gates/chip(logic gates, flip flops).
MSI(Medium Scale Integration): 100-10000 transistors/chip or 30-300
gates/chip.
 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.
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
… and many more
 LSI and VLSI
LSI (Large Scale Integration): The first integrated circuits which contains
1000-10,000 transistors/chip or 300-3000 gates/chip(8 bit processors).
VLSI(Very Large Scale Integration): 10,000-1,00,000 transistors/chip or
more than 3000 gates/chip.(16 bit and 32 bit processors).
 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.
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
… and many more
 ULSI
ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration):10 power -6 to 10 power 7
transistors/chip(smart sensors,).
 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.