Generations of Computer Study Guide

Generations of Computer: The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of your time. It had been around the 16th century when the evolution of the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for the betterment. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accuracy, size, and price to urge the form of the fashionable day computer. Basic Terms Related to Computers The basic terms related to generations of computers are listed below. 1. Vacuum Tube: Vacuum tubes have the functionality of controlling the flow of electronics in a vacuum. Generally, it is used in switches, amplifiers, radios, televisions, etc. 2. Transistor: A transistor helps in controlling the flow of electricity in devices, it works as an amplifier or a switch. 3. Integrated Circuit (IC): Integrated circuits are silicon chips that contain their circuit elements like transistors, resistors, etc. 4. Microprocessors: Microprocessors are the components that contain the CPU and its circuits and are present in the Integrated Circuit. 5. Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is called the brain of the computer. CPU performs processing and operations work. 6. Magnetic Drum: Magnetic Drum is like a cylinder that stores data and cylinder. 7. Magnetic Core: Magnetic cores are used to store information. These are arrays of small rings. 8. Machine Language: Machine Language is the language that a computer accepts (in the form of binary digits). It is also called lowlevel programming language. 9. Memory: Memory is used to store data, information, and program in a computer. 10. Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence deals with creating intelligent machines and behaviors. Phases of Computer Generations This long period is often conveniently divided into the subsequent phases called computer generations.  First Generation Computers (1940-1956)  Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)  Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)  Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present)  Fifth Generation Computers (Present and Beyond) Generations of Computer First Generation Time-Period 1940s – 1950s Evolving Hardware Vacuum Tube Based Generations of Computer Time-Period Evolving Hardware Second Generation 1950s – 1960s Transistor Based Third Generation 1960s – 1970s Integrated Circuit Based Fourth Generation 1970s – Present Microprocessor Based Fifth Generation Present – Future Artificial Intelligence Based Before the generation of computers, we used calculators, spread sheets, and computer algebra systems, mathematicians and inventors searched for solutions to ease the burden of calculation. Below are the 8 Mechanical Calculators before modern computers were invented. 1. Abacus (ca. 2700 BC) 2. Pascal’s Calculator (1652) 3. Stepped Reckoner (1694) 4. Arithmometer (1820) 5. Comptometer (1887) and Comptograph (1889) 6. The Difference Engine (1822) 7. Analytical Engine (1834) 8. The Millionaire (1893) First Generation Computers The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device, which was called a vacuum tube. These computers were very heavy and really large. These weren’t very reliable and programming on them was a tedious task as they used low-level programming language and used no OS. First-generation computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purpose. They were too bulky and large that they needed a full room and consume a lot of electricity. Punch cards were used for improving the information for external storage. Magnetic card used . Machine and assembly language is developed. Examples of some main first-generation computers are mentioned below.  ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been cumbersome, and large, and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes.  EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was designed by von Neumann. It could store data also as instruction and thus the speed was enhanced.  UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computer was developed in 1952 by Eckert and Mauchly. Vacuum Tube Characteristics of First-Generation Computers Characteristics Components Main electronic component Vacuum tube. Programming language Machine language. Main memory Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums. Input/output devices Paper tape and punched cards. Speed and size Very slow and very large (often taking up an entire room). Examples of the first generation IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc. Second Generation Computers Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes. Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit. Transistors were invented in Bell Labs. The use of transistors made it possible to perform powerfully and with due speed. It reduced the dimensions and price and thankfully the warmth too, which was generated by vacuum tubes. Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language, and input, and output units also came into the force within the second generation. The programming language was shifted from high level to programming language and made programming comparatively a simple task for programmers. Languages used for programming during this era were FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959). Transistor Characteristics of Second-Generation Computers Characteristics Components Main electronic component Transistor. Programming language Machine language and assembly language. Memory Magnetic core and magnetic tape/disk. Input/output devices Magnetic tape and punched cards. Power and size Smaller in size, had low power consumption, and generated less heat (in comparison with the firstgeneration computers). Examples of the second generation PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, CDC 3600, etc. Third Generation Computers During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors to integrated circuits, also referred to as IC. Here a variety of transistors were placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors. The most feature of this era’s computer was speed and reliability. IC was made from silicon and also called silicon chips. The computer programs was designed to make the machine work. Operating system was a program designed to handle a machine completely. Because of the operating system machine could execute