Generation of Computer

Generation of Computer

Generation of computers came into the mind, when humans were unable to perform some large calculations. So they created a calculating machine called as computers. As the needs of humans gone on increasing, there was development in the computer system. 

First Generation (Mid 1940's )

• Computers were using Vacuum tubes (Valves) as an electronic component.
• Machine language was used.
• Input was given through punch cards, paper tapes and results in the form of printouts.
• Computers were as big as room in size.
• Cost was very high.

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 (1956)

• Vacuum tubes were replaced by the transistors.
• Size of transistors was much smaller than vacuum tubes.
• Assembly language was used.
• Consumed less power, faster and reliable.
• Size of computers were came down.
• Price of computers were also reduced.

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.

Few Examples are:

1. Honeywell 400
2. IBM 7094
3. CDC 1604
4. CDC 3600
5. UNIVAC 1108

Third Generation (1964)

• Integrated Circuits(IC's) made up of small crystal of silicon semiconductor were used.
• Structured programming language C and COBOL was used.
• Speed and efficiency were increased.
• Inputs were given through keyboards and output through monitors.
• Size of computers, power consumption, heat generation and cost were decreased in greater extent.

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.

Few Examples are:

1. PDP-8
2. PDP-11
3. ICL 2900
4. IBM 360
5. IBM 370

Fourth Generation (1971 and present)

• Microprocessor chip were used, made up of thousands of Integrated Circuits build on a single silicon chip.
• Object oriented programming language and domain specific language SQL for database access.
• High processing speed, high reliability and low power consumption.
• Size and cost of computers were cut down.

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.

Few Examples are:

• IBM 4341
• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PUP 11

Fifth Generation (Present and future)

• Computers those are dealing with Artificial Intelligence (AI), expert systems and robotics are in 5th generation.
• These computers are still in development phase.
• Main goal is to respond to the natural language.
• Use of Quantum, Molecular and Nano technology is going to change the face of computers in coming years.

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.

Few Examples are:

• Desktop
• Laptop
• NoteBook
• UltraBook
• Chromebook