Generation Of Computer (Explained-In-Details)

Generation Of Computer (Explained-In-Details)

Generation of Computer

Intensive research and countless experiments on computers led to the sophistication, versatility, and reduced costs of what had once been expensive and huge machines with limited functions. The growth and availability of electronic components have enhanced the possibility of a drastic reduction in size, cost, and failure of components. From the early 40s to date the reliability of computer has increased by 100 folds and the speed of operation has also increased by 10000 folds. Hence, the computers belonging to different times used electronic components with subsequent improvements. Four distinct generations of computers can be recognized.

The First Generation Computers

This generation roughly covers the period 1945-1955. The main components in use were vacuum tubes. The first generation computers had the following characteristics:

1. Large in size.
2. Rigid in operation.
3. Limited memory and computing capacity. Slow- operating speed (millisecond). Contained vacuum tubes.
4. Used machine language to program. Generated more heat.
5. Too many maintenance problems.
6. Very expensive.

The Second Generation Computers

The second generation of computers covers the period of 1956-1965. This generation of computers is distinguished by the use of transistors. A transistor is a tiny semiconductor device. The computers of this generation had the following characteristics:

1. Considerable reduction in physical size. Comparatively more reliable.
2. Comparatively large memory.
3. Greater operating speed (microsecond).
4. Contained transistors as the essential component and consumed less power.
5. Improved computing capacity.
6. Generated less heat as compared to the first generation computers.
7. Faster and better input-output devices.

The Third Generation Computers

As the next step, functions of several transistors were put together on a single chip (wafer) of silicon. These chips are called Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. In the third generation computers, the main component in use was ICs. This generation of computers covers the period of 1965-1975. The computers of this generation had the following characteristics:

1. Greater miniaturization.
2. Flexible in operation.
3. Large memory.
4. High operating speed (nanoseconds). Very reliable.
5. Contained ICs (Integrated Circuits). Random access is possible.
6. Time-sharing and multiprocessing.
7. Higher-level languages like COBOL, FORTRAN, etc. were used. Compatibility with other systems.

The Fourth Generation Computers

The advancement in computer electronics could pack thousands of components into very small assemblies known as LSI (Large Scale Integration) and this led to the production of fourth-generation computers. The microprocessor was developed where an entire CPU was accommodated on a single chip. Intel 4004 was the first microprocessor that was updated to Intel 8080 and this invention led to the beginning of the usage of compact design and is still used in a major way. These systems provide increased input-output capabilities and storage capacity, longer component life, greater reliability, modular design, and increased speed. This generation of computers includes the computers developed from 1975 to the present day. Characteristics of the Fourth Generation Computers are as follows:

1. Used Large Scale Integration (LSI) and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI).
2. Increased input-output capabilities. High processing speed.
3. User-friendly.
4. Comparatively more diminutive in size and more reliable.

The Fifth Generation Computers (Future Generation)

Many attempts have been made for several years to develop more efficient processors by using genetically engineered proteins. It is expected that the computers having such processors will understand natural languages and have knowledge processing capabilities called Artificial Intelligence.

Till the fourth generation computer, the significant stress was on improving the hardware to achieve processing speed, but scientists began feeling the lack of intelligence in computers, so they are trying to give new artificial intelligence to the fifth generation computers. These computers will then have the thinking power and capability to make decisions like human beings and prove better than a man in certain areas. These machines will be capable of knowledge processing, handling billions of instructions per second, and unimaginable storing capacity. High-level languages will become obsolete for these machines, and new computer languages and related software will be developed. The fifth-generation computers are expected to have the following characteristics.

1. Artificial Intelligence.
2. High-performance multiprocessors.
3. Thinking power and capability to understand natural languages and make decisions like human beings.
4. Very high processing speed and storage capacity
5. Intelligent programming Knowledge-based system.

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