Generations of Computer
Table of Content:
The field of computer science has undergone a dramatic evolution in its short 70-year life. As the field has matured, new areas of research and applications have emerged and joined with classical discoveries in a continuous cycle of revitalization and growth.
Inthe1930s,fundamental mathematical principles of computing were developed by Turing and Church. Early computers implemented by von Neumann, Wilkes, Eckert, Atanasoff, and others in the1940s led to the birth of scientific and commercial computing in the 1950s, and to mathematical programming languages like Fortran, commercial languages like COBOL, and artificial-intelligence languages like LISP. In the 1960s the rapid development and consolidation of the subjects of algorithms, data structures, databases, and operating systems formed the core of what we now call traditional computer science; the 1970s saw the emergence of software engineering, structured programming, and object-oriented programming. The emergence of personal computing and networks in the 1980s set the stage for dramatic advances in computer graphics, software technology, and parallelism. The 1990s saw the worldwide emergence of the Internet, both as a medium for academic and scientific exchange and as a vehicle for international commerce and communication.
Generation: First ((1940-56))
Switching Device: Vacuum tubes
Storage Device/Speed: Magnetic drums (333 micro seconds)
Operating System: Batch operating system (Machine language (Binary number 0’s and 1’s)
Characteristics:
- Fastest computing device.
- Generate large amount of heat.
- Non-portable.
Applications:
Used for scientific purpose e.g. ENIAC, UNIVAC, MARK-1, etc.
Generation: Second (1956-63)
Switching Device: Transistors (Made up of semiconductor)
Storage Device/Speed: Magnetic core technology (10 micro seconds)
Operating System: Time sharing OS, Multitasking OS (Assembly language, high level language)
Characteristics:
- More reliable and less prone to hardware failure.
- Portable and generate less amount of heat.
Applications:
Used for commercial production e.g. PDP-8, IBM-1401, etc.
Generation: Third (1964-71)
Switching Device: Integrated Circuits (ICs) (Made up of silicon)
Storage Device/Speed: Magnetic core as primary storage medium (100 nano seconds)
Operating System: Real-time system (High level language (FORTRAN, COBOL, ALGOL))
Characteristics:
- Consumed less power.
- Highly sophisticated technology required.
Applications:
Database management system e.g. NCR-395, B6500, etc.
Generation: Fourth (1971- Present)
Switching Device: Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuit microprocessor
Storage Device/Speed: Semi conductor memory, Winchester disc (300 nano seconds)
Operating System: Time sharing, GUI interface (PASCAL, ADA, COBOL-74, FORTRAN IV)
Characteristics:
- More reliable and portable.
- This generation leads to better communication and resource sharing
Applications:
Distributed system, e.g. Intel 4004 chip, Macintosh.
Generation: Fifth (Present and Beyond)
Switching Device: Super Large Scale Integrated (SLSI) chips
Storage Device/Speed: Optical disc
Operating System: Knowledge Information Processing System
Characteristics:
- Parallel processing.
- Intel core microprocessor is implemented.
- Enables mega chips.
Applications:
Artificial intelligence e.g. Robotics
Summary
| S.No | Generation & Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | First Generation
The period of the first generation: 1940-1956. Electronics valve. Vacuum tube based. |
| 2 | Second Generation
The period of the second generation: 1956-1963. Transistor-based. |
| 3 | Third Generation
The period of the third generation: 1964-1971. Integrated Circuit based. |
| 4 | Fourth Generation
The period of the fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based. |
| 5 | Fifth Generation
The period of the fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based. |