FIRST GENERATION OF COMPUTER
The period of first generation was from 1946-1959. 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.
The main features of the first generation are −
Vacuum tube technology
Supported machine language only
Very costly
Generated a lot of heat
Slow input and output devices
Huge size
Need of AC
Non-portable
Consumed a lot of electricity
Some computers of this generation were −
ENIAC
EDVAC
UNIVAC
IBM-701
IBM-650
Advantages:
1) It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component
available during those days.
2) These computers could calculate in milliseconds.
Disadvantages:
1) These were very big in size, weight was about 30 tones.
2) These computers were based on vacuum tubes.
3) These computers were very costly.
4) It could store only a small amount of information due to the presence of
magnetic drums.
5) As the invention of first generation computers involves vacuum tubes, so
another disadvantage of these computers was, vacuum tubes require a large
cooling system.
6) Very less work efficiency.
7) Limited programming capabilities and punch cards were used to take inputs.
8) Large amount of energy consumption.
9) Not reliable and constant maintenance is required.
SECOND GENERATION OF COMPUTER
The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this generation, transistors were used
that were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the
first generation machines made of vacuum tubes. In this generation, magnetic cores were used
as the primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices.
In this generation, assembly language and high-level programming languages like FORTRAN,
COBOL was used. The computers used batch processing and multiprogramming operating
system.
The main features of second generation are −
Use of transistors
Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers
Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
Faster than first generation computers
Still very costly
AC required
Supported machine and assembly languages
Some computers of this generation were −
IBM 1620
IBM 7094
CDC 1604
CDC 3600
UNIVAC 1108
Advantages:
1. 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.
2. Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first generation.
3. Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.
4. Low cost than first generation computers.
5. Better speed, calculate data in microseconds.
6. Better portability as compared to first generation
Disadvantages:
1. A cooling system was required.
2. Constant maintenance was required.
3. Only used for specific purposes.
THIRD GENERATION OF 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.
The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers smaller in size, reliable,
and efficient. In this generation remote processing, time-sharing, multiprogramming operating
system were used. High-level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC,
ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.
The main features of third generation are −
IC used
More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
Smaller size
Generated less heat
Faster
Lesser maintenance
Costly
AC required
Consumed lesser electricity
Supported high-level language
Some computers of this generation were −
IBM-360 series
Honeywell-6000 series
PDP (Personal Data Processor)
IBM-370/168
TDC-316
Advantages:
1) These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation
computers.
2) They were fast and reliable.
3) Use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.
4) IC not only reduces the size of the computer but it also improves the
performance of the computer as compared to previous computers.
5) This generation of computers has big storage capacity.
6) Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard are used for input.
7) They used an operating system for better resource management and used
the concept of time-sharing and multiple programming.
8) These computers reduce the computational time from microseconds to
nanoseconds.
Disadvantages:
1) IC chips are difficult to maintain.
2) The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC
chips.
3) Air conditioning is required.
FORTH GENERATION OF COMPUTER
he period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers of fourth generation used Very
Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other
circuit elements with their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have
microcomputers of fourth generation.
Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a
result, it gave rise to Personal Computer (PC) revolution. In this generation, time sharing, real
time networks, distributed operating system were used. All the high-level languages like C, C++,
DBASE etc., were used in this generation.
The main features of fourth generation are −
VLSI technology used
Very cheap
Portable and reliable
Use of PCs
Very small size
Pipeline processing
No AC required
Concept of internet was introduced
Great developments in the fields of networks
Computers became easily available
Some computers of this generation were −
DEC 10
STAR 1000
PDP 11
CRAY-1(Super Computer)
Advantages:
1) Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the previous
generation of computer.
2) Heat generated is negligible.
3) Small in size as compared to previous generation computers.
4) Less maintenance is required.
5) All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.
Disadvantages:
1) The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.
2) Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.
3) Advance technology is required to make the ICs.
FIFTH GENERATION OF COMPUTER
The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. 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.
AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets the means and method of making
computers think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc.,
are used in this generation.
AI includes −
Robotics
Neural Networks
Game Playing
Development of expert systems to make decisions in real-life situations
Natural language understanding and generation
The main features of fifth generation are −
ULSI technology
Development of true artificial intelligence
Development of Natural language processing
Advancement in Parallel Processing
Advancement in Superconductor technology
More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates
Some computer types of this generation are −
Desktop
Laptop
NoteBook
UltraBook
ChromeBook
Advantages:
o Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the previous
generation of computer.
o Heat generated is negligible.
o Small in size as compared to previous generation computers.
o Less maintenance is required.
o All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.
Disadvantages:
o The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.
o Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.
o Advance technology is required to make the ICs.
