Generation of Computer

Generations of computers

v Table of Contents

Introduction

A computer is an electronic machine that stores information, and processes it according to user instructions, and then returns the result. Computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with information. The term computer is derived from the Latin term ‘computer’, this means to calculate or programmable machine.

Generations of computer

First generation of computer
¨       Features of first generation of computers
¨       Examples of first generation of computer
·         Second generation of computer
¨       Features of second generation of computers

¨ Examples of second generation of computer

· Third generation of computer

¨ Features of third generation of computers

¨ Examples of third generation of computer

· Fourth generation of computer

¨ Features of fourth generation of computers

¨ Examples of fourth generation of computer

· Fifth generation of computer

¨ Features of fifth generation of computers

¨ Examples of fifth generation of computer

A computer is an electronic machine that stores information, and processes it according to user instructions, and then returns the result. Computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with information. The term computer is derived from the Latin term ‘compute’, this means to calculate or programmable machine.

Computer cannot do anything without a Program. It represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits The Word ‘Computer’ usually refers to the central processing unit plus Internal memory(primary memory).

People used sticks, stones, and bones as counting tools before computers were invented. More computing devices were produced as technology advanced and the human intellect improved over time

Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. 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.

Computers have evolved over time through several generations, each marked by significant advancements in technology.

The Generations of Computer refers to the change in technological advancement in the field of computers from the birth of computers to the latest technology.

Different types of generation of computers

First generation

The period of first generation was from 1940-1956. The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and the installations used to fuse frequently. Therefore, they were very expensive and only large organizations were able to afford it. In this generation, mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices. The computers in this generation used machine code as the programming language.

First generation computers were characterized by the fact that operating instructions were made-to-order for the specific task for which the computer was to be used. Each computer had a different binary-coded program called a machine language that told it how to operate. This made the computer difficult to program and limited its versatility and speed. Other distinctive features of first generation computers were the use of vacuum tubes (responsible for their breathtaking size) and magnetic drums for data storage.

The first computers were massive, room-sized machines that used vacuum tubes for processing. They were very slow, unreliable, and generated a lot of heat. Examples include the ENIAC and UNIVAC.

Note- Vacuum tube - An electronic device that controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum. It is used as a switch, amplifier or display screen (CRT). Used as on/off switches, vacuum tubes allowed the first computers to perform digital computations. The vacuum tube, used up to this time in almost all the computers and calculating machines, had been invented by American physicist Lee De Forest in 1906. The vacuum tube, which is about the size of a human thumb, worked by using large amounts of electricity to heat a filament inside the tube until it was cherry red.

vacuum tube

Features of first generation of computer

(a) Main electronic component – vacuum tube

(b) Main memory – magnetic drums and magnetic tapes

(d) Power – consume a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat.

(e) Speed and size – very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire room).

(f) Input/output devices – punched cards and paper tape.

(g) Expensive and huge

(h) Slow working

(i) Not transferable

(j) Drains loads of energy

(k) Assist machine language only.

Examples of first generation of computer

Here are some examples of First Generation computers:

ENIAC: (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
EDVAC: (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)
IBM-701
IBM-650

Second generation of computer

The period 1956 to 1963 is roughly considered as the period of Second Generation of Computers. The second generation computers were developed by using transistor technology. In comparison to the first generation, the size of second generation was smaller.

Second generation computers generated a lot of heat but much less than the first generation computers. They required less maintenance than the first generation computers.

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.

Second generation computers used the low level language i.e. machine level language and assembly language which made the programmers easier to specify the instructions. Later on High level language programming were introduced such as COBOL and FORTRAN. Magnetic core was used as primary storage. Second generation computer has faster input /output devices which thus brought improvement in the computer.

This era saw the replacement of vacuum tubes with transistors, which were smaller, more reliable, and generated less heat. This led to smaller and more affordable computers. The IBM 1401 and IBM 7090 are examples of second-generation computers.

Note – Transistors- Transistors are the main component of the microchips used in computers. Computers operate on a binary system, which uses only two digits: 0 and 1. In a computer microchip, transistors act as switches, letting current through to represent the binary digit 1, or cutting it off to represent 0.Transistors have the function of amplifying and switching electrical signals. In the case of radio, the extremely weak signals transmitted through the air are magnified (amplified) before playing through speakers. This is the amplification action of a transistor.

FEATURES OF SECOND GENERATION COMPUTER

(a) Transistors – small, low-power, low-cost, more reliable than vacuum tubes.

(b) Magnetic core memory.

(d) Reduced the computational time from milliseconds to microseconds.

(e) High level languages.

(f) First operating Systems: handled one program at a time.

(g) Transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes.

(h) Second generation computers were smaller in comparison with the first generation computers.

(i) They were faster in comparison with the first generation computers.

(j) They generated less heat and were less prone to failure.

(k) They took comparatively less computational time.

(l) Assembly language was used for programming.

(m) Second generation computers has faster input/output devices.

Examples of second generation of computer

Here are some examples of 2nd Generation computers:

IBM-1620
IBM-7094
CDC-1604
CDC-3600
UNIVAC-1108

Third generation computer

The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The computers of third generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) in place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors, and capacitors along with the associated circuitry.

Third generation computers were developed around 1964 to 1971, though different sources contradict each other by one or two years. The third generation was brought about by advances in the manufacture of transistors; scientists and engineers where able to make transistors smaller and smaller, which led to entire circuits fitting onto a single piece of silicon, now known as the integrated circuit or microchip. This revolutionized computing, as it was now possible to create smaller, cheaper computers that were multitudes faster than pre-microchip era computers.

It was actually invented by two individuals, both unaware of each other’s actions. Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce were both worked on almost identical projects made of semiconductor material; silicon. The first IC was commercially available in 1961. The chips were first used in calculators for the Air Force computers in 1962. In following years, most computers started using the chips instead of transistors and other components. The first ICs composed of a transistor, three resistors, and a capacitor. Modern IC can hold up to 125 million transistors.

Integrated circuits (ICs) were introduced in this era, which further reduced the size and cost of computers while increasing their processing power. The IBM System/360 series is a notable example of third-generation computers.

They are classified as Solid State Technology. As the execution of a program requires that program to be in memory, the concurrent running of several programs requires that all programs is in memory simultaneously. Thus the development of techniques for concurrent processing was matched by the development of memory management techniques such as dynamic memory allocation , virtual memory , and paging, as well as compilers producing relocable code.

Note – Integrated circuit - The silicon chip was designed and developed to incorporate 10 to 20 components like resistor, capacitor, and transistor inside a single silicon chip with an integrated circuit called “IC”. An integrated circuit (IC) is an assembly of electronic components in which hundreds to millions of transistors, resistors, and capacitors are interconnected and built up on a thin substrate of semiconductor material (usually silicon) to form a small chip or wafer.

integrated circuits

Features of third generation of computer

(a) The third-generation computers were small in size to shift compact design from one location to another.

(b) They are highly portable

(d) Highly sophisticated technology and design were utilized and implemented to develop third-generation computers.

(e) They are required high maintenance.

(f) Due to their compact design, they were used as commercial products.

(g) Small Scale Integration (SSI) and Medium Scale Integration (MSI) chips were used in third-generation computers for better performance.

(h) Their speed was increased from microseconds to Nanoseconds using advanced technology.

(i) They used a more robust and advanced operating system, which helped develop powerful high-level languages.

(j) They used Magnetic storage devices for storing data, instructions, and information.

(k) They were pretty reliable and used monitors and keyboards as input devices.

(l) The outputs generated by third-generation computers were trustworthy.

Examples of third generation of computer

Here are some examples of 3rd Generation computers:

IBM-370
PDP-11
IBM System/360
UNIVAC-1108
Honeywell-6000
DEC-Series
ICL 2900

Fourth generation of computers

Fourth-generation computers were introduced in 1972, following the third-generation computer that largely used microprocessors. These computers used VLSI technologies, and Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. As a consequence, they were given the moniker “microprocessors.” A processor is composed of a large number of integrated circuits that also are connected together on a single silicon chip. This generation makes use of VLSI Circuits, which are also known as microprocessors. Hundreds of Electronic Components are built on such a single silicon circuit to make a microprocessor chip. In this generation, the use of personal computers (PCs) grew, and IBM developed the first personal computer (PC).

Several operating systems like MS-DOS and MS windows developed during this time. The instructions to the computer were written in high level language instead of machine language and assembly language.

Microprocessors were developed, allowing entire CPU functions to be integrated onto a single chip. This led to the rise of personal computers (PCs), such as the Apple II and IBM PC.

A fourth-generation programming language (4GL) is any computer programming language that belongs to a class of languages envisioned as advancement upon third generation programming languages (3GL). Each of the programming language generations aims to provide a higher level of abstraction of the internal computer hardware details, making the language more programmer-friendly, powerful, and versatile. While the definition of 4GL has changed over time, it can be typified by operating more with large collections of information at once rather than focusing on just bits and bytes. Languages claimed to be 4GL may include support for database management, report generation.

Note – Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits- Very large-scale integration (VLSI) is the process of creating an integrated circuit (IC) by combining millions or billions of MOS transistors onto a single chip. VLSI began in the 1970s when MOS integrated circuit (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) chips were developed and then widely adopted, enabling complex semiconductor and telecommunication technologies. The microprocessor and memory chips are VLSI devices.

Before the introduction of VLSI technology, most ICs had a limited set of functions they could perform. An electronic circuit might consist of a CPU, ROM, RAM and other glue logic. VLSI enables IC designers to add all of these into one chip.

FEATURES OF FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTER

a) The ULSI (ultra large scale integration) technology is used in this generation of computers.

b) In this generation’s computers, artificial intelligence has progressed.

c) Parallel processing has advanced on these computers.

d) The fifth-generation computer includes more user-friendly interfaces and multimedia functions.

e) These PCs can be purchased for a lower price.

f) Computers are more portable and powerful.

g) Computers are dependable and less expensive.

h) It’s easier to manufacture in a commercial setting.

i) Desktop computers are straightforward to operate.

j) Mainframe computers are extremely efficient.

Examples of fourth generation of computer

Here are some examples of 4th Generation computers:

IBM 4341
DEC 10
STAR 1000
PUP 11
Apple
CRAY-1

Fifth generation computers

In the fifth generation, VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components. This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software.

The fifth gen of computers is the most recent and advanced computers. These computers use programming languages such as Python, R, C#, Java, etc., as input methods. These computers are extremely dependable and employ ULSI technology. (ULSI stands for Ultra Large Scale Integration.) These computers also employ parallel processing and artificial intelligence. These machines are used for scientific computations and artificial intelligence software development. Artificial intelligence is a relatively new field that studies how to program computers to behave like humans.

The fifth generation computers are still in development. Scientists are working on fifth generation computers. The main aim of fifth generation computing is to develop computers that are respond to surroundings using different types of sensors and capable of learning. Fifth generation computers use super large scale integrated (SLSI) chips that contains millions of components on a single chip.

The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization. As you can see these are the technologies evolved one by one.

This generation is characterized by the use of microprocessors and significant advancements in software, including the development of graphical user interfaces (GUIs). The internet and networking technologies also became prominent during this era.

Note – Ultra-Large Scale Integration ( ULSI) - Ultra-Large Scale Integration (ULSI) is a term used in the electronic chip manufacturing industry for an Integrated Circuit (IC) which contained more than one million components per chip. VLSI: Very Large Scale Integration, It contains over 300k components. ULSI: Ultra large Scale Integration, It contains over 1 million transistors over a single chip.

FEATURES OF FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTER