Generation of Computer

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There are 5 generation of computer

1. First Generation of Computer (1946-1955) :

The period of first generation was from 1946-1959. The first generation of computers used a large number of vacuum tubes and thus generated a lot of heat. They were very large in size, slow in processing and has less storage capacity. In this generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. It used machine level language so the were difficult to program.

Example :ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) , IBM650 etc.

• Features of the first generation are:

• Vacuum tube technology
• Consumes lot of electricity
• Slow input and output devices
• Supported machine language only
• Generates lot of heat
• Need of AC

2. Second Generation of Computer (1956-1965):

The generation using the semiconductor transistor was the revolution in the field of computer. The transistor replace the vacuum tube. The second generation of computer used transistor as memory unit. A transistor could do the work of 1000 vacuum tube. 

Example: IBM 1400 and IBM 700 series etc.

• Features of second generation are:
• They are more reliable and faster than the first generation of computer.
• Use of transistor instead of vacuum tube.
• Consumed less electricity and generate less amount of heat as compared to first generation of  computer.
• Smaller size as compared to first generation computers.
• AC required.
• It supported machine language and assembly language.

3. Third Generation of Computer (1966-1971):

The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The third generation of computer is based on the use of IC (Integrate Circuit) in place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors and capacitors along with associated circuit. In this generation remote processing, the sharing real time multiprogramming operating system were used.

Example : IBM-360 series, Honeywell-6000 series, TDC-316 etc.

• Features of Third Generation of Computer:
• Semiconductor memory device were used.
• Use of IC's chips instead of the transistors.
• Large Scale Integration (LSI) and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) were used.
• Generated less heat compared to second and first generation of computer.
• Smaller in size.
• Supported high-level language.

4. Fourth Generation of Computer (1971-1980):

The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. It marked by the use of VLSI and ULSI. IC containing 100 components containing is called LSI and more then 1000 components containing is called ULSI. The computer designed using ULSI as a memory unit is knows as fourth generation of computer. The first micro processer 2008 was develop. All the high level programming language like c, c++, Java, .Net etc were used in this generation.

Example: DEC10, STAR 1000, CRAY-1(Super Computer) etc.

• Features of Fourth Generation of Computer:
• VLSI and ULSI technology used.
• The computers become easily available in this generation.
•  Computers are very small in size.
• Computers became easily available.
• Concept of internet was introduced.
• Portable and reliable

5. Fifth Generation of Computer (1980-present):

The period of fifth generation is 1980-present. In this generation is best on parallel processing hardware, and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is the developing branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of making computer think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.

Example : Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, mobile etc.

• Features of Fifth Generation of Computer:
• Development of true artificial intelligence
• Development of experts to make design in real life satiation.
• Natural language understanding and generation.
• Advancement in Superconductor technology.
• High performance workstations.
• More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features.