Generations of Computers

Q. What is first Generation of Computers? Give some examples?

Between 1945 to 1956 we had the first generation of computers  which used thousands of vacuum tubes as a result they consumed a lot of power and generated large amount of heat. They were large in size and very expensive too. Machine language was used to program it using punched cards and paper tapes.

But they were the fastest calculating device of their times and could do 5000 additions or 350 multiplication in one second.

Examples include ENIAC, EDVAC and UNINVAC I.

Q. What is second Generation of Computers? Give some examples?

The second generation of computer came between the years 1956 to 1963 when transistors replaced the vacuum tubes. This made the computers smaller, faster, cheaper and more reliable. They were more energy efficient though they still generated lots of heat. They were also the first computers to use magnetic core technology to store instructions in memory. They used machine and assembly language to program.

Examples include IBM 7090 and CDC 3600

Q. What is third Generation of Computers? Give some examples?

The third generation of computers was between 1964 to 1971 when Integrated Circuits or ICs replaced the transistors. This made the computers smaller, faster, cheaper than earlier computers. They were accessed through keyboard, monitors and even had operating system to enable it to run different applications at the same time. They were now made available to larger number of people as they were smaller and cheaper.

Examples include IBM 360 and PDP 11.

Q. What is fourth Generation of Computers? Give some examples?

The fourth generation of computers started from 1971 with the advent of microprocessors which used VLSI(Very large scale integration) technology to have thousands of ICs on a single silicon chip.

This made the computers small and portable. They were cheapest and could work at high speed with a lot more accuracy and reliability. They had larger memory so led to explosion in development of GUI software, application software and handheld devices.

Example include all computers you see around you today, Apple, cray.

Q. What is fifth Generation of Computers? Give some examples?

The fifth generation computers will be based upon artificial intelligence and are still in very nascent stage.  They will use ULSI or Ultra Large Scale Integration technology making it even more faster, cheaper and self reliant.  Combined with quantum and nano technology next generation computers are going to intelligent computers.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqgpZ_v4Ne8