In today’s world, the computer is one of the essential parts of our life. Computers are so smart that they can complete any work in less time and make that work convenient. Although there were no computers in ancient times, there were continuous developments and innovations in computers, after which the technology that made computers so powerful and useful, all such developments are divided into different generations of computers given below.
Through this article, we have briefly told you about the five generations of computers, which are being used even today. Each generation of computers has made significant advances in speed and power for computing tasks. Learn about each of those five generations of computers and the major technology developments that have led to the computer technology we use today.
There are Generation Of Computer 1st to 5th of the computers known to the present day, mainly with the time period and characteristics of each generation explained in detail in this article.
- First Generation of Computers (1940-1956)
- Second Generation of Computers (1956-1963)
- Third Generation of Computers (1964-1971)
- Fourth Generation of Computers (1971-1980)
- Fifth Generation of Computers (1980 to present)
1. First Generation of Computers (1940-1956)
It is the First Generation of Computers which is also known as the oldest generation. Which was invented by John Ambrose Fleming in 1904. Thereafter, it is mainly considered the period from 1940 to 1956, and first-generation computers used vacuum tubes and they were often large enough to occupy an entire room.
Because these computers were very expensive to operate and these computers in addition to spending a lot of electricity, earlier computers generated a lot of heat which is often the cause of the malfunction.
Examples:- ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM-701, IBM-750, UNIVAC-1
The main features of the first generation
- based on vacuum tube technology
- Only machine language is used
- too expensive
- Generates a lot of heat
- excessive consumption
- AC is needed when it gets hot
- Very high power consumption
- Incredible
- Larger size
- Slow input/output devices
2. Second Generation of Computers (1956-1963)
The Second Generation of Computers saw the use of transistors in place of vacuum tubes. Thereby the computers became smaller, faster, cheaper, consumed much less power, and were more reliable than the first generation. Which was invented by William Shockley in 1947. And its period is considered to be from 1956 to 1963.
In this generation of computers, magnetic tapes were also used for magnetic cores and memory. Second-generation computers still rely on punch cards for input and printouts for output.
Examples:- IBM 1400 series, IBM 1620, IBM 7094 series, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, UNIVAC 1107
The main features of the Second Generation
- transistor-based computer
- Generates less heat than first-generation computers
- The size of this computer is smaller as compared to the first-generation computers
- Lower power consumption in this generation of computers as compared to the first-generation computers
- Works faster than first-generation computers
- Reliable as compared to first-generation computers.
- AC needed
- Too expensive
3. Third Generation of Computers (1964-1971)
Introduced the use of integrated circuits (ICs) in the Third Generation of Computers. This generation of computers was invented by Jack Kilby from 1964 to 1971. Many small transistors are mounted on an IC, which are known as semiconductors. The use of integrated circuits in computers helped reduce the size of the computer as compared to the other. generation computers, and enabled them to work faster.
Examples:- UNIVAC 1108, UNIVAC AC 9000, IBM-370/168, IBM-360 series, Honeywell-6000 series, PDP (Personal Data Processor), TDC-316
The main features of the Third Generation
- Generation of computers based on integrated circuits (IC).
- More reliable than the first and second generations.
- Smaller size than the second generation
- Produced less heat than previous generations.
- Faster than vacuum tube and transistor-based computers.
- low maintenance
- too expensive
- AC required
- Lower power consumption compared to a first and second generation
- Supported high-level language
4. Fourth Generation of Computers (1971-1980)
This Fourth Generation of Computers introduced the use of microprocessors, also known as CPUs, and this generation of computers was developed from the 1970s to the 1980s. These computers mainly used very large-scale integrated circuit technology, also known as VLSI technology.
The 5000 transistors and other circuit elements in VLSI circuits make possible fourth-generation computer microcomputers with a single onboard connected circuit. After the invention, in the fourth and fifth generations of computers, computer ring machines began to use microprocessors.
Examples:- Apple Macintosh, IBM PC, DEC 10, STAR 1000, PDP 11, CRAY-1 (Super Computer), CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer)
The main features of the Fourth Generation
- Computer-based on VLSI technology
- Very cheap computer
- Personal computer use
- Very small size
- Semiconductor Memory (ROM, RAM)
- Pipeline Processing
- PC access
- Portable and reliable
- No AC required
- Introduced the concept of the Internet
5. Fifth Generation of Computers (1980 to present)
This Fifth Generation of Computers is based on Ultra Scale Integration (ULSI) technology. This generation of computers has been developed from 1980 to the present day. This generation mainly supports AI (Artificial Intelligence) and software like processing hardware etc. The technology behind fifth-generation computers is AI so it can understand natural language. Because of all the high-level languages in this generation, C, C++, Java, .Net, etc. is used.
Examples:- Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Ultrabook, Chromebook, Supercomputers, Robots
The main features of the Fifth generation
- Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology
- True artificial intelligence
- Multimedia Features
- Development of Natural Language Processing
- Very small size
- More user-friendly interface
- progress in parallel processing
- No AC required
- Advances in Superconductor Technology
- Faster Solid State Drive (SSD) memory, is faster than a hard disk drive (HDD).
- Availability of very powerful and compact computers at affordable rates.
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Final Word Of Generation Of Computer 1st to 5th:-
Friends, today we have researched the suitable five generations of computers through this article. Each generation represents a significant breakthrough in technology. These five videos mainly throw light on the leading technologies used in computers, their duration, features, examples, etc.