Computer Generation

The history of computer is also referred with its generation. Key technology development that vitally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful, efficient and reliable devices distinguished the generation of the computer. The division of computer according to the development period, memory , processing speed, efficiency, storage etc. is called computer generation. There are five computer generations:

  First Generation (1946- 1958)

Features :

• Speed = Millisecond


• Main technology used = Vacuum Tube


• Size = Huge


• Input/Storage = Punch Card


• Cost = High in price


• Consumes more heat and produce more heat


• Example = ENIAC, EDUAC etc.

 Second Generation (1959-1964)

Features :

• Speed = Microsecond  ( Faster than first generation computer )


• Main technology used = Transistor 


• Size =  Smaller than first generation


• Storage = Magnetic disks, Magnetic tapes


• Uses = High level programming languages


• less heat production and power consumption than first generation computer


• Example = IBM 1620, IBM 1401, UNIVAC-II 

Third Generation ( 1965-1974)

Features : 

• 
   Main technology used = Integrated Circuit (IC)
  


• Size = drastically reduced


• Cost = Cheaper than first generation computer


• Uses = Operating system, Multiprogramming monitors and keyboards


• Used High Level Programming language


• Speed = Nanosecond


• Example = ICL 1900 series, IBM system/360, IBM 370 series 

 Fourth Generation (1975-1990)

Features :

• Speed = Picosecond


• Main technology used = LSIC ( Large Scale Integration ) , VLSIC ( Very large scale integrated circuit )


• Storage = Magnetic disk


• They are very  user friendly computer which use many high level programming language


• Example = IBM PC. Apple/Macintosh, HP3000

Fifth Generation (1991- Personal and Beyond )

Features :

• Speed is measured in femoto second.


• It is in development phase.


• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)


• Bio chips technology will be used


• Full fledged parallel processing


• Example: Robot

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

It is the biotechnology, which will be used in the fifth  generation computer. Computer having AI  will be able to understand natural language, think and make decisions.