Generations of Computer

FIRST GENERATION: (Vaccum Tubes)

In First Generation of computers Vaccum tubes were used to store data in the form of propagating sound waves.

Memory: Magnetic Core is used as memory

Storage Place: Punch Cards   

Language Used: Machine Level 

ADVANTAGES:

Calculates the data in milliseconds

DISADVANTAGES

• High power consumption
• Large Size with less storage capacity
• Generates heat very soon because of more number of vaccum tubes
• Slow processing
• Non-Portable

Some of the computers from first generation are ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC, IBM – 701, IBM – 650

SECOND GENERATION (Transistors)

In second generation of computers, vaccum tubes are replaced withtransistors

Memory: Magnetic Cores

Storage Place: Magnetic Tape

Languages Used:  FORTRON, COBOL

ADVANTAGES:

• Small in size (By replacing vaccum tubes with transistors)
• Calculates data in micro seconds
• Portability
• Reliability compared to first
• Required Less Energy
• Less Power Consumption

DISADVANTAGES:

• High Cost
• Punch cards are used

Some of second generation computers are IBM 1620, IBM 1401, CDC 3600

THIRD GENERATION (Integrated Circuits)

•    In this generation, Integrated Circuits are placed containing transistors, capacitors, resistors. 
•    Microprogramming, Parallel Processing, Multiprogramming, time sharing was introduced in this generation

Memory: Microchip

Languages used: FORTRAN, PASCAL, ALGOL, BASIC, COBOL

ADVANTAGES:

• Smaller in Size
• Better Speed
• Low Cost
• Input devices like Mouse and Keyboards are used

DISADVANTAGES:

• Air Conditioner is required
• Some of third generation computers are IBM 370, UNIVAC 1108, and UNIVAC AC 9000

FOURTH GENERATION (VLSI Microprocessor)

In this generation VLSI Very Large Scale Integration were designed which reduces the size of the computer. It consists of millions of integrated circuits in it.

Graphical User Interface (GUI), LAN, WAN was introduced in this generation

Languages Used: C, C++, Dbase

ADVANTAGES:

• Low Cost
• VLSI Technology
• Internet Technology
• Pipelining Process

DISADVANTAGES:    

• Latest Technology is required for manufacturing Microprocessors
• Some of the fourth generation computers are Apple Macintosh and IBM PC

FIFTH GENERATION (ULSI Microprocessor)

In this generation Artificial Intelligence technology is used. This computers work like a human behavior. Scientists are working still on this stage. Computers of this generation will think like a human brain.

ADVANTAGES:

• World Wide Web is introduced with some of applications like Email
• Notebook Computers were introduced
• New Operating Systems like Windows 95/98/XP and Linux are introduced
• Some of the fifth generation computers are Desktops, Laptop, Notebook