What Is Computer Generation Explain All Generation In Detail (IC T1 Q5)

First Generation Computers :

    • Used vacuum tube technology. (Vacuum tube is a fragile glass device that can control and amplify          electronic signals.)

    • Computers were very large in size and generated lot of heat.

    • Speed was measured in milli-seconds.

    • Developed many problems and required frequent maintenance.

    • Performed at low speed, occupied large space, consumed more power and needed air conditioning.

    • Example : ENIAC(Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) computer developed by USA.

    • EDSAC (Electronic Delayed Storage Automatic Computer) was another major development;                      developed at Cambridge University of England; first introduced in May, 1946.

   • Advantages : Vacuum tube technology made possible the advent of electronic digital computers and          these were the fastest calculating devices of that time.

    • Disadvantages : Very bulky and non portable; lot of heat generated and so air-conditioning                         compulsory; frequent hardware failures and maintenance.

Second Generation computers:

       • Developed in late 1950’s.

     • Used transistors in place of vacuum tubes. Transistors were smaller, less expensive and generated         less heat compared to vacuum tubes.

       • Speed measured in micro-seconds.

       • Magnetic tapes could be used as medium for storage of data.

       • Example : UNIVAC (Universal Automatic computer) was the first commercial business computer

       • Example : IBM 1401, IBM 1410

    • Advantages : Flaws of first generation computers removed; smaller in size; Faster and more reliable;      commercial production easier and cheaper.

   • Disadvantages : Air conditioning required; Manufacturing process involved manual assembly

Third Generation computers:

     • Developed in mid 1960’s. (1965-71)

     • Used LSIC (Large Scale Integrated Circuits) in place of transistors. IC was small and one IC could           do the job of hundreds of transistors.

     • Computers became smaller and faster

     • Speed measured in nano-seconds.

     • Magnetic drums used as medium of storage of information.

    • Led to development of software (called Operating System) for efficient use of computer.

    • Example : IBM-360 series introduced in 1964`

    • Advantages : Smaller in size; more reliable and portable; low maintenance cost, lesser power                 required.

   • Disadvantages : Required highly sophisticated technology for manufacturing ICs.

Fourth Generation Computers:

    • Introduced in 1970’s

    • Used VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated) Circuits containing thousands of transistors, diodes and          registers.

    • Roughly more than 30,000 components could be accommodated on one chip of the size of a postal       stamp.

    • Concept of micro-processors evolved. It is a chip of silicon known as microprocessor chip.

    • Could be easily placed on small table

    • Price reduced and affordable and became a common equipment in small business establishments.

   • Advantages : Size reduced substantially; air conditioning not required; operations much faster; more      general purpose; cheapest amongst all previous generations; desktops made available for                      business/personal use.

Fifth Generation and next generation computers

    • Based on ULSI (Ultra large scale integration) technology.

    • Will have tremendous processing power and speed.

    • Support high degree of artificial intelligence (computers will be able to think and learn and act on            their own to some extent)

    • Interact with humans in ordinary languages

    Advantages : More user-friendly; reduced size; easy to operate; economical and faster; programming     much easier and simpler; emphasis shifted to networks and client server technology.