Generation of computer.
Depending on the device used, system
architecture, processing mode and language used in the computers are
categorized in the following five generation. The development of different
types of memory devices has given a sequence of development of computers from
mainframe to mirocomputers. In the development of computers there is lot of change
from 1946 to 1990. This time is divided in different generations by scientists
in a conference in 1962.
First Generation (1946 to 1954):
Introduction of the UNIVAC I
in 1951 marked the beginning of the first generation. They began to work on the
Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) in 1946; so we can considered the
duration of first Generation starts from 1946. The computers using vacuum tubes
as a memory unit are known as first-generation computers. The vacuum tube
consumes a lot of power. The Vacuum tube was developed by Lee DeForest In 1908.
Features:
1. they
used valves or vacuumed tubes as their main electronic component.
2. They
were large in size, slow in processing and had less storage capacity.
3. They
consumed lots of electricity and produced lots of heat.
4. There
were not so accurate and reliable.
5. They
used machine level language for programming.
6. They
were very expensive.
7.
Their computing capabilities were limited.
Example: ENIAC,
UNIVAC, IBM 650 etc.
Second Generation (1955 to 1964):
The invention of
Semi-conductor transistor had made big revolution in the field of computer. The
transistor replaced the Vacuum tube. The second-gyration computers used
transistor as a memory unit. A transistor could do the work of 1000 vacuum
tubes. Second generation computers are smaller in size. They are more reliable
and faster than the first generation computers. Assembly language was used for
programming in second-generation computers.
Features:
1. Transistors were used instead of Vacuum
Tube.
2. Processing speed is faster than first
Generation Computers (Micro Second)
3. Smaller in size (51 square feet).
4. The input and output devices were faster.
Example: IBM 1400 and
7000 Series, Control Data 3600 etc.
Third Generation (1965 to 1947):
By the development of a small
consisting of the capacity of the 300 transistors called Integrated Chip (IC).
The computers, using ICs are of the third Generations. They were smaller in
size and had higher efficiency in speed and memory capacity. Very soon ICs were
replaced by LSI (large Scale Integration), which consisted about 100
components. An IC containing about 100 components is called LSI.
Features:
1. they used Integrated Circuit (IC) chips in
place of the transistors.
2. Semi conductor memory devices were used.
3. The
size was greatly reduced, the speed of processing was high, and they were more
accurate and reliable.
4. Large Scale Integration (LSI) and Very
Large Scale Integration (VLSI) were also developed.
5. The mini computers were introduced in this
generation.
6. They used high level language for
programming.
Example: IBM 360, IBM
370 etc.
Fourth Generation (1975 to 1990):
An IC containing about 100
components is called LSI (Large Scale Integration) and the one, which has more
than 1000 such components, is called as VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration).
The computers designed using VLSI, as a memory unit is known as fourth Generation
computers. The first microprocessor 8008 was developed by American Company
(Intel Corporation) in 1971 and in 1974; another more powerful microprocessor
8080 was developed. The microprocessor 8080 was used in early XT computers.
Microprocessor based computers fall in fourth generation computer group. VLSI
is also called as microprocessor.
Features:
1. they used Microprocessor (VLSI) as their
main switching element.
2. They are also called as micro computers or
personal computers.
3. Their size varies from desktop to laptop or
palmtop.
4. They
have very high speed of processing; they are 100% accurate, reliable, diligent
and
versatile.
5. They have very
large storage capacity.
Example: IBM PC,
Apple-Macintosh etc.
Fifth Generation (1990-Present and Future):
The fifth-generation computers
are under development stage. These computers are being made using
microprocessor and will use USLI (Ultra-large-scale integration) chips
(BIO-Chips) in the future. Such computers will use intelligent programming and
improved human-machine interfaces. It is estimated that these computers of
fifth generation will have an Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a little
thinking capacity and they will understand the natural languages like English,
Japanese etc.
Features:
1. they are the future computers which will
use parallel processor or genetically
engineered bio-chips as their main
switching element.
2. They will have Artificial Intelligence (AI)
and will be able to understand natural
language.
3. They will have extremely high efficiency
and reliability.
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