KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
WESTERN CAMPUS
GROUP G
FACULTY: BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
COURSE: COMPUTER GENERATIONS
COURSE UNIT: COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
COURSE CODE: UCC1100
SEMESTER:ONE
YEAR: ONE
LECTURE: KYOMUHENDO MEDRINE
QUESTION.GENERATIONS, ONE, TWO AND THREE
NAME REG COURSE
NSHEMERIRWE IMMACULATE 2024-08-27257 BPAM (GL)
ATUKUNDA MAURENCE 2024-08-30460 BPAM (SEC)
AMUMPAIRE CLAIRE PENDING BSWASA
AKAMUPURIRA MARIASHALLON 2024-08-28851 BBA
NUWENSIIMA PROSSY 2024-08-30184 BPAM
KENGANZI CHRISTINE 2024-08-27219 LLB
NUWAHEREZA ISAAC 2024-08-27496 BPAM
NATUHAMYA DOREEN 2024-04-27409 DPAM
NABAASA ANNITAH 2024-08-27802 BHR
AINEMBABAZI JANE PENDING BBA
NANKUNDA RECHEAL 2024-08-29968 BBA
ARYANYONGYERA DEIZY 2024-08-29086 BBA
AYIORWOTH CONFORT PENDING BHR
AMANYA AGASTONE 2024-08-27307 LAW
ARYASIIMA SHIDRAH 2024-08-27265 BSWASA
NUWAGIRA VIAN 2024-08 28315 BBA
AINEMBABAZI PEACE PENDING BBA
ASASIRE BRUCE 2024-08-28736 BBA
TUKAHEBWA DAPHINE 2024-08-29737 BBA
The development of computers is often categorized into "generations," which mark significant
technological advancements. Here's an overview of the first three generations of computers:
First Generation (1940s–1950s): Vacuum Tubes
Technology: Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.
Size: Large and consumed a lot of power, generating significant heat.
Input/Output: Punched cards and paper tape for input; printouts for output.
Programming: Machine language (binary) and assembly language.
Examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC, IBM 701.
Characteristics:
Bulky, expensive, and consumed a lot of electricity.
Very slow and limited in function.
Mainly used in scientific and military applications.
Advantages
Speed: they were faster than previous mechanical devices
Automation: enable complex calculation and processes to be automated
Pioneering technology: introduced concepts like stored programs and electronic circuits.
Disadvantages
Size: extremely large and bulky often filled entire rooms.
Heart production: generated a lot of heat, requiring significant cooling.
Reliability: prone to frequent malfunctions due to vacuum tubes.
Programming difficulty: used machine language, making programming complex and time-
consuming
Second Generation (1950s–1960s): Transistors
Technology: Used transistors instead of vacuum tubes, making computers smaller, faster, and
more efficient.
Size: Significantly smaller and more reliable than first-generation computers.
Memory: Magnetic cores were used for memory, and magnetic tape and disks for storage.
Programming: Assembly language and early versions of high-level languages like FORTRAN and
COBOL.
Examples: IBM 7090, UNIVAC 1108, IBM 1401.
Characteristics:
Reduced size and cost, faster performance.
More reliable, with fewer power and cooling issues. Overused in business, scientific research, and
governmental operations.
Advantages
Transistors: replaced vacuum tubes, leading to smaller, more efficient, and more reliable
machines
Increased speed: improved processing speed compare to first generation computers.
Better cooling: reduced heat generation and improve all performance.
High level programming improves of languages like COBOL and FORTRAN made programming
easier.
Disadvantages
storage cheaper: memory smaller than first-generation machines, they were still quite large
compared to modern computers
Cost: transistors were than vacuum tubes, but initial costs were still high
Limited storage: memory was still relatively small compared to what is available today
Third Generation (1960s–1970s): Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Technology: Utilized integrated circuits, where many transistors were placed on a single chip, increasing
efficiency and reducing size.
Size: Computers became even smaller and more powerful, allowing for greater functionality.
Memory: Used semiconductor memory Programming: High-level programming languages like COBOL,
FORTRAN, and newly introduced languages like BASIC.
Examples: IBM System/360, PDP-8, Honeywell 6000 series.
Characteristics:
Dramatically reduced size, power consumption, and cost.
Increased processing power and reliability.
Introduction of operating systems to manage hardware and software.
Advantages
Integrated circuits: use of integrated circuits reduced size and cost
Enhanced speed: faster in processing instructions.
Reference
1. Goel, A. (2010). computer fundamentals. Person education. This book provides a detailed
overview of computer generations, including third generation
2. Sinha. (2004).
3. Rajaraman. (2014)
