Generation of Computer
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. But nowadays, generation includes both hardware and
software, which together make up an entire computer system.
The generation of computers refers to different stages of computer technology over
time. Each generation uses better technology, making computers faster, smaller,
and more efficient.
There are totally five computer generations known till date.
1. First Generation
The period of first generation: 1942-1955. Vacuum tube based.
2. Second Generation
The period of second generation: 1955-1964. Transistor based.
3. Third Generation
The period of third generation: 1964-1975. Integrated Circuit based.
4. Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation: 1975-1989. VLSI microprocessor based.
5. Fifth Generation
The period of fifth generation: 1989-onwards.ULSI microprocessor & AI
based
First Generation of Computer (1942-1955)
1. The main electronic component used in the computers were vacuum tubes.
2. The main memory storing units were magnetic tapes and magnetic drums.
3. The machine language was used as the programming language.
4. The sizes used to be very large which could take up entire rooms and the
speed was very slow.
5. The only input/output devices were paper tape and punched cards.
The main features of first generation are:
1. Vacuum tube technology
2. Unreliable
3. Supported machine language only
4. Very costly
5. Generated lot of heat
6. Slow input and output devices
7. Huge size
8. Need of A.C.
9. Non-portable
10. Consumed lot of electricity
11. Examples are UNIVAC 1, ENIAC, EDVAC, IBM 701 and IBM 650,
etc.
Second Generation of Computer (1955-1964)
1. The main electronic component used in the computers were transistors.
2. The main memory storing units were magnetic tape or disk and magnetic
core.
3. The assembly language was used as the programming language.
4. The sizes were smaller as compared to those of the first generation and they
used to consume low power and generate less heat.
5. The input/output devices were magnetic tape and punched cards.
The main features of second generation are:
1. Use of transistors
2. Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
3. Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
4. Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers
5. Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
6. Faster than first generation computers
7. Still very costly
8. A.C. needed
9. Supported machine and assembly languages
10. Examples are IBM 1620, IBM 1401, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600,
IBM 7090.
Third Generation of Computer (1964-1975.)
1. The main electronic components used in the computers were integrated
circuits ICs.
2. The memory storing units were the magnetic disk or take and a large
magnetic core.
3. High-level languages such as BASIC, COBOL, Pascal were used as the
programming language.
4. The sizes were smaller and efficient and the computers were called
minicomputers.
5. The input/output devices were keyboards, magnetic tape monitor, printer,
etc.
The main features of third generation are:
1. IC used
2. More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
3. Smaller size
4. Generated less heat
5. Faster
6. Lesser maintenance
7. Still costly
8. A.C needed
9. Consumed lesser electricity
10. Supported high-level language
11. Examples are IBM 360 series, IBM 370/168 , Honey well-6000 series,
PDP(Personal Data Processor), TDC-316.
Fourth Generation of Computer (: 1975-1989)
1. The main electronic components used in the fourth generation of computers
are microprocessors and very large scale integration (VLSI).
2. When thousands of transistors are attached to a single microchip, it is known
as VLSI.
3. Semiconductor memory storage units such as RAM, ROM, etc were
introduced.
4. High-level languages such as C#, JAVA, Python, JavaScript are used as
programming languages.
5. The input/output devices are a monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, and so
on.
The main features of fourth generation are:
1. VLSI technology used
2. Very cheap
3. Portable and reliable
4. Use of PC's
5. Very small size
6. Pipeline processing
7. No A.C. needed
8. Concept of internet was introduced
9. Great developments in the fields of networks
10. Computers became easily available
11. Some computers of this generation were: DEC 10, STAR 1000, PDP 11
,CRAY-1(Super Computer) , CRAY-X- MP(Super Computer), APPLE II ,
IBM PC
Fifth Generation of Computer (1989 - present)
The main electronic components that are used in the present generation of
computers is Artificial Intelligence which uses the parallel processing method
and the Ultra-Large Scale Integration (ULSI).
1. The fifth generation of computers understands the natural human
language.
2. The speeds are really fast and the sizes are also small.
3. The fifth-generation computers are portable and have a huge storage
capacity.
4. The input/output devices are keyboards, monitors, touchscreen pens,
printers, light scanners, and so on.
The main features of fifth generation are:
1. ULSI technology
2. Development of true artificial intelligence
3. Development of Natural language processing
4. Advancement in Parallel Processing
5. Advancement in Superconductor technology
6. More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features
7. Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates
8. Some computer types of this generation are: Desktop, Laptop ,Note Book, Ultra
Book, Chrome Book, tablets, smartphones, etc.
