Computer Generations

The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different generations of computing devices. Each generation of computer is characterized by a
major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and reliable devices.

First Generation(1945-1956)
The vacuum tubes were used in the circuits of these computers. The input and output operations were done using punched card technology. For external storage, magnetic tapes were used. The machine was capable to do one job at a time, therefore batch processing was adopted. The language used by these computers was machine language and assembly language. Example of Computers: UNIVAC, IBM 650 etc

Vacuum Tube Picture

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages:Disadvantages: It was only electronic Too bulky i.e. large in device. size. First device to hold a Vacuum tubes burn memory. frequently. They were producing heat. Maintenance problem.

Second Generation (1956-1963)

Transistors were used in the circuits. The input operations were performed using punched cards and magnetic tapes and for output operations, punched cards and papers were used. For external storage magnetic tapes were used. The orientation was towards multiple users i.e. the machine was capable to process multiple tasks concurrently. The high level languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC etc. were used as the languages by the computer. Example of Computers: IBM 1400 and 7000 series, General Electric 635 etc.

Transistor Pictures

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages: Size reduced considerably. The very fast. Very much reliable.

Disadvantages: They over quickly. Maintenance problem. heated

Third Generation (1964-1971)

Integrated circuits replaced transistors. Inspire of their smaller size they were capable to perform better than transistors. For data input and output operations monitors and keyboards replaced the punched cards. For external storage magnetic disks were used. Sophisticated operating systems, which were capable of handling several jobs concurrently were used. More advanced high level languages like PASCAL were used. Example of computers: IBM System

Integrated Circuit Picture

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages:Disadvantages: ICs are very small in ICs are sophisticated. size. Improved performance. Production cost cheap.

Fourth Generation (1971-Present)

The circuits used VLSI and microprocessors of virtually microscopic size, which led to drastic cut on the size of computer. The input output devices were the same monitors, keyboard, printer etc. Micro computers have evolved. Magnetic disks were the primary devices used for external storage. The use of special software for maintaining large data bases became popular. The application software for micro computer essentially became popular in this generation. Example of computers: IBM Systems

Integrated Circuit with VLSI Picture

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages: It is a compact. Less owe consumption. Production cost cheap.

Disadvantages: No artificial intelligent.

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Fifth Generation (Present and beyond)

The computers of this generation use optic fiber technology to handle Artificial Intelligence. These computers have capacity to think and reason which can be used to solve problems where human intelligence is required. Expert Systems are examples of systems implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages: Artificial intelligence. Expert system.