The Different Generation of Computers
(First Generation to Fifth Generations)
Nowadays, computers play a significant role in our daily living and activities.
Computers are intelligent when it comes to performing and doing specific tasks
automatically in accordance to the data that was given. Nevertheless, when we
compare the computer back then and at this present time, there is probably a big
difference. As well know that there are constant developments and innovations in
terms of computer technology wherein it can make different computers more useful
and powerful. All such developments are divided into different generations from the
first generation and up to the fifth generation. Each generation defines its major
technological developments based on the computer system. There are five
generations of computers, which began first and ended in the fifth generation.
The first and earliest generation period of computers is considered from 1946
to 1959. During the first generation, computers were developed by the use of
vacuum tubes as the core technology. The vacuum tubes were invented by John
Ambrose Fleming. The first generation computers are using the machine language,
the lowest programming language where it could easily be processed and
understood by the computers. Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator
(ENIAC) is the first computer of the world discovered by John Mauchly and J.
Presper Eckert in the years between 1943 to 1945.
In 1947, William Shockley designed the second generation of computers
which the transistors began to widespread. In this generation, vacuum tubes are no
longer the main piece of technology because they are replaced by the transistors.
The period of the second generation is considered from 1959 to 1965. The
introduction of the first high-level programming languages, which allow programmers
to describe commands in words, distinguishes second-generation computers.
Magnetic cores as the primary memory devices and the magnetic tapes becoming
the secondary storage devices were used as the memory requirement of computers.
During the second generation, computers are using the assembly language instead
of the binary machine language. The CDC-3600 and IBM-7094 are popular in the
second generation.
The third generation of computers characterized the use of the Integrated
circuits (ICs) in computers compared to transistors. Third generation period began
from 1965 to 1971. In this generation, the main piece of technology was the use of
integrated circuits. This integrated circuit has a small size which helps in making the
computer smaller than the predecessor. Besides, the advanced input-output devices
such as a keyboard, mouse and monitor are introduced by this generation. When it
comes to language, the third generation computers are using high-level languages
such as COBOL, BASIC, PASCAL PL, etc. The IBM-360 family series is one of the
examples of third generation computers developed in these computers.
The fourth generation period is from 1971 up to 1980, where computers
developed in the use of microprocessors as the main component of technology.
These microprocessors are based on the Large Scale Integration and the Very Large
Integration technologies. This was developed by assembling several integrated
circuits on a single silicon chip. Microprocessors not only help make computers small
but it also makes them powerful and reliable. The most popular computers in fourth
generation is the IBM- 5100, Altair- 8800 and the Micral.
The last generation is not other than the fifth generation computers which are
based on the Ultra Large Scale Integration technology, artificial intelligence, software
and even the parallel processing hardware. The fifth generation computers period
started in 1980 and up to the present. Moreover, fifth generation computers are still
in use of the integrated circuits in order to meet the various needs. However, Al is
considered as the main technology that there is still room for improvement. In the
fifth generation, computers are based on logic programming and parallel computing.
The common examples of fifth generation computers are Desktop, Laptop,
Notebook,Chromebook, Tablet and such.
In conclusion, we've gone through five computer generations. As a result of
many technological developments, computers are now used in almost every aspect
of life. It is a highly valuable tool that will continue to evolve as time goes on.
