Generations of Computer

Introduction
The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of today time. It had been around
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. 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)
Before there are graphing calculators, spreadsheets, 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: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)

The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device,
which was called vacuum tubes. These computers were very heavy and really large in
size. These weren’t very reliable and programming on them was a really tedious task as
they used high-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 rot of electricity.
Main first generation computers are:
 ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper
Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been very
heavy, 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.
Main characteristics of first-generation computers are:
Main electronic component Vacuum tube.

Programming language Machine language.

Main memory Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums.

Input/output devices Paper tape and punched cards.

Very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire

Speed and size room).

Examples of the first

generation IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc.

Advantages:
 The first electronic component that was accessible during those days were
Vacuum tubes
 It is because of Vacuum tube technology that made it possible to develop an
electronic digital computer
 The calculation capabilities of these computers were in milliseconds
Disadvantages:
 These computers were large in size
 A large amount of energy was consumed
 Due to a large number of vacuum tubes, these computers heated very soon
 Not reliable or trustworthy
 Air conditioning was required
 Maintenance was required consistently
 These computers were not portable
  Their commercial production was very costly
 Limited commercial use
 Quite slow in speed
 Limited programming capabilities
 Cannot support languages other than machine language
 Magnetic drums used to store data that provide less facility of data storage
 Punch cards were used for input
 Not versatile
 Very faulty

Second Generation Computers: Transistors (1956-1963)

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.
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).
Main characteristics of second generation computers are:-

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.

Smaller in size, low power consumption, and generated less heat

Power and size (in comparison with the first-generation computers).

Examples of second PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107,
generation CDC 3600 etc.

Advantages:
 Smaller in size as compared to the first generation of computers
 More reliable
 More energy efficient
 Were not heated because of less energy
 Wider commercial use
 Better portability
 Manipulate data in microseconds
 Supports faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks, and line printers,s, etc.
 Assembly language is used instead of Machine language
 Accuracy improved
Disadvantages:
 Air conditioning was required
 Constant maintenance was required
 Commercial production was difficult
 Also only used for specific purposes
 Very costly
 Not versatile
 Punch cards were used for input

Third Generation Computers: Integrated Circuits. (1964-1971)

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 the
speed and reliability. IC was made from silicon and also called silicon chips.
A single IC, has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on one thin slice of
silicon. The value size was reduced and memory space and dealing efficiency were
increased during this generation. Programming was now wiped-out Higher-level
languages like BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code).
Minicomputers find their shape during this era.
Main characteristics of third generation computers are:
Main electronic
component Integrated circuits (ICs)

Programming language High-level language

Memory Large magnetic core, magnetic tape/disk

Input / output devices Magnetic tape, monitor, keyboard, printer, etc.

Examples of third IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, NCR 395, B6500, UNIVAC
generation 1108, etc.

Advantages:
 Size is reduced as compared to the previous generation
 More reliable
 Less energy used
 Production of heat is reduced
 More good speed, manipulate data in nanoseconds
 For the purpose to discharge heat and to prevent from damaging, fans were used
 Because of the low hardware failure rate, maintenance costs became reduced
 Totally general purpose
 Could be used for high-level languages
 Good storage
 Versatile to an extent
 Less expensive
 Better accuracy
 Commercial production increased
 Used Mouse, Keyboard for input
Disadvantages:
 Air conditioning was required
  The high complicated technology necessary for the manufacturing of IC chips

Fourth Generation Computers: Micro-processors (1971-Present)

In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large scale of integration LSI circuits built
on one chip called microprocessors. The most advantage of this technology is that one
microprocessor can contain all the circuits required to perform arithmetic, logic, and
control functions on one chip.
The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation provided
the even smaller size of computers, with larger capacities. That’s not enough, then Very
Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced LSI circuits. The Intel 4004chip,
developed in 1971, located all the components of the pc from the central processing unit
and memory to input/ output controls on one chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce
drastically.
Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed,
and virtual memory made it a more user-friendly and customary device. The concept of
private computers and computer networks came into being within the fourth generation.
Main characteristics of fourth generation computers are:
Main electronic Very large-scale integration (VLSI) and the microprocessor (VLSI
component has thousands of transistors on a single microchip).

Memory semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)

Input/output devices pointing devices, optical scanning, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.

Examples of fourth IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, Alter 8800,
generation etc.

Advantages:
 Very small in size
 Less power consumption
 Less heat generated
 Large fan for heat discharging and thus to keep cold
 No air conditioning is required
 Best speed to read instructions i.e one billion per second
  Reliable and powerful
 Totally general purpose
 Commercial production
 Less need for repairing
 Cheapest among all generations
 All types of high-level languages can be used in this type of computers
Disadvantages:
 The high complicated technology necessary for the manufacturing of
microprocessors

Fifth Generation Computers

The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to
behave like humans. It is often seen in programs like voice recognition, area of
medicines, and entertainment. Within the field of games playing also it’s shown
remarkable performance where computers are capable of beating human competitors.
The speed is highest, size is that the smallest and area of use has remarkably increased
within the fifth generation computers. Though not a hundred percent AI has been
achieved to date but keeping in sight the present developments, it is often said that this
dream also will become a reality very soon.
In order to summarize the features of varied generations of computers, it is often said that
a big improvement has been seen as far because the speed and accuracy of functioning
care, but if we mention the dimensions, it’s being small over the years. The value is
additionally diminishing and reliability is in fact increasing.
Main characteristics of fifth generation computers are:
Based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra Large-Scale Integration
Main (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method (ULSI has millions of
electronic transistors on a single microchip and Parallel processing method use two
component or more microprocessors to run tasks simultaneously).

Language Understand natural language (human language).

Size Portable and small in size.

Input / output Trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognize
device voice/speech), light scanner, printer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc.

Example of
fifth
generation Desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.

Advantages  of Fifth Generation of Computers:

 It operates quicker and more efficiently.

 This is available in various sizes and features.
 This offers more user-friendly graphical interfaces on the device.
Disadvantages  of Fifth Generation of Computers:

 They need all high-level languages that need to be mastered.

 Are more sophisticated.
 They may replace humans causing unemployment in the future.