There below are the general factors associated with the development and change in the generations of electronic computers:
There are 5 computer generations till now i.e. vacuum tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and the last one is artificial intelligence. 6th generation yet to come may be either in the form of quantum computers or developing the existing artificial intelligence technology to a greater extent.
Electronic computers are usually divided into five generations now and the 6th generation is still in development but has the potential to give birth to the sixth generation of computers may be in the form of quantum computing.
The technologies based on artificial intelligence are the current and the latest generation of computers(5th GEN) today.
In accordance with the methodology for assessing the development of computer technology, the first generation was considered to be vacuum tube computers, the second – transistor computers, the third – computers on integrated circuits, the fourth – using microprocessors, and the fifth generation computers is based on the artificial intelligence.
Colossus computer was the first generation of the computer developed and designed by Tommy Flowers at Bletchley Park in the year 1944 with the purpose of cracking Hitler’s codes.
The sixth will also discover in the future since there are some flaws of technology in this generation that will be revived or resolved in the upcoming generation.
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Unit 7. Evolution of computers
Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.
Vacuum tube – an electronic device that controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum. It used as a switch, amplifier, or display screen in many older model radios, televisions, computers, etc.
Transistor – an electronic component that can be used as an amplifier or as a switch. It is used to control the flow of electricity in radios, televisions, computers, etc.
Integrated circuit (IC) – a small electronic circuit printed on a chip (usually made of silicon) that contains many its own circuit elements (e.g. transistors, diodes , resistors, etc.).
Microprocessor – an electronic component held on an integrated circuit that contains a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) and other associated circuits.
CPU (central processing unit) – It is often referred to as the brain or engine of a computer where most of the processing and operations take place (CPU is part of a microprocessor).
Magnetic drum – a cylinder coated with magnetic material, on which data and programs can be stored.
Magnetic core – uses arrays of small rings of magnetized material called cores to store information.
Machine language – a low-level programming language comprised of a collection of binary digits (ones and zeros) that the computer can read and understand.
Assembly language is like the machine language that a computer can understand, except that assembly language uses abbreviated words (e.g. ADD, SUB, DIV…) in place of numbers (0s and 1s).
Artificial intelligence (AI) – an area of computer science that deals with the simulation and creation of intelligent machines or intelligent behave in computers (they think, learn, work, and react like humans).
Classification of generations of computers.
The evolution of computer technology is often divided into five generations.
Generations of computers | Generations timeline | Evolving hardware |
---|---|---|
First generation | 1940s-1950s | Vacuum tube based |
Second generation | 1950s-1960s | Transistor based |
Third generation | 1960s-1970s | Integrated circuit based |
Fourth generation | 1970s-present | Microprocessor based |
Fifth generation | The present and the future | Artificial intelligence based |
The main characteristics of second generation of computers (1950s-1960s).
The main characteristics of third generation of computers (1960s-1970s).
The main characteristics of fourth generation of computers (1970s-present).
The main characteristics of fifth generation of computers (the present and the future).
The computer – this amazing technology went from a government/business-only technology to being everywhere from people’s homes, work places, to people’s pockets in less than 100 years.
an electronic device that controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum. It used as a switch, amplifier, or display screen in many older model radios, televisions, computers, etc.
an electronic component that can be used as an amplifier or as a switch. It is used to control the flow of electricity in radios, televisions, computers, etc.
a small electronic circuit printed on a chip (usually made of silicon) that contains many its own circuit elements (e.g. transistors, diodes, resistors, etc.).
an electronic component held on an integrated circuit that contains a computer's central processing unit (CPU) and other associated circuits.
The brain or engine of a computer, where most of the processing and operations take place.
a cylinder coated with magnetic material, on which data and programs can be stored.
uses arrays of small rings of magnetized material called cores to store information.
a low-level programming language comprised of a collection of binary digits (ones and zeros) that the computer can read and understand.
a physical device that is used to store data, information, and programs in a computer.
an area of computer science that deals with the simulation and creation of intelligent machines or intelligent behave in computers (they think, learn, work, and react like humans).
Key Concepts of Computer Studies Copyright © 2020 by Meizhong Wang is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
Generations of Computer : The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of your time. It had been around the 16th century when the evolution of the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for the betterment. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accuracy, size, and price to urge the form of the fashionable day computer.
The basic terms related to generations of computers are listed below.
This long period is often conveniently divided into the subsequent phases called computer generations.
Generations of Computer | Time-Period | Evolving Hardware |
---|---|---|
First Generation | 1940s – 1950s | Vacuum Tube Based |
Second Generation | 1950s – 1960s | Transistor Based |
Third Generation | 1960s – 1970s | Integrated Circuit Based |
Fourth Generation | 1970s – Present | Microprocessor Based |
Fifth Generation | Present – Future | Artificial Intelligence Based |
Before the generation of computers, we used calculators, spreadsheets, and computer algebra systems, mathematicians and inventors searched for solutions to ease the burden of calculation.
Below are the 8 Mechanical Calculators before modern computers were invented.
The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device, which was called a vacuum tube. These computers were very heavy and really large. These weren’t very reliable and programming on them was a tedious task as they used low-level programming language and used no OS. First-generation computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purpose. They were too bulky and large that they needed a full room and consume a lot of electricity. Punch cards were used for improving the information for external storage. Magnetic card used . Machine and assembly language is developed.
Examples of some main first-generation computers are mentioned below.
Vacuum Tube
Characteristics | Components |
---|---|
Main electronic component | Vacuum tube. |
Programming language | Machine language. |
Main memory | and magnetic drums. |
Input/output devices | Paper tape and punched cards. |
Speed and size | Very slow and very large (often taking up an entire room). |
Examples of the first generation | IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc. |
Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes. Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit.
Transistors were invented in Bell Labs. The use of transistors made it possible to perform powerfully and with due speed. It reduced the dimensions and price and thankfully the warmth too, which was generated by vacuum tubes. Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language, and input, and output units also came into the force within the second generation.
The programming language was shifted from high level to programming language and made programming comparatively a simple task for programmers. Languages used for programming during this era were FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959).
Characteristics | Components |
---|---|
Main electronic component | Transistor. |
Programming language | Machine language and assembly language. |
Memory | Magnetic core and magnetic tape/disk. |
Input/output devices | Magnetic tape and punched cards. |
Power and size | Smaller in size, had low power consumption, and generated less heat (in comparison with the first-generation computers). |
Examples of the second generation | PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, CDC 3600, etc. |
During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors to integrated circuits, also referred to as IC. Here a variety of transistors were placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors. The most feature of this era’s computer was speed and reliability. IC was made from silicon and also called silicon chips.
The computer programs was designed to make the machine work. Operating system was a program designed to handle a machine completely. Because of the operating system machine could execute multiple jobs simultaneously. Integrated circuits were used to replace many transistors used in the second generation.
A single IC has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on one thin slice of silicon. The value size was reduced and memory space and dealing efficiency were increased during this generation. Programming was now wiped out Higher level languages like BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code). Minicomputers find their shape during this era.
Integrated Circuit
Characteristics | Components |
---|---|
Main electronic component | Integrated circuits (ICs). |
Programming language | High-level language. |
Memory | Large magnetic core, magnetic tape/disk. |
Input/output devices | Magnetic tape, monitor, keyboard, printer, etc. |
Examples of the third generation | IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, NCR 395, B6500, UNIVAC 1108, etc. |
In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large-scale of integration LSI circuits built on one chip called microprocessors. The advantage of this technology is that one microprocessor can contain all the circuits required to perform arithmetic, logic, and control functions on one chip. LSI placed thousands of transistors onto a single chip.
The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation provided even smaller size of computers, with larger capacities. That’s not enough, then Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced LSI circuits. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the pc from the central processing unit and memory to input/ output controls on one chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce drastically. VLSI placed several hundred thousand transistors on a single silicon chip. This silicon chip is known as the micro processor.
Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed, and virtual memory made it a more user-friendly and customary device. The concept of private computers and computer networks came into being within the fourth generation.
Microprocessor
Characteristics | Components |
---|---|
Main electronic component | Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) and the microprocessor (VLSI has thousands of transistors on a single microchip). |
Memory | semiconductor memory (such as , etc.). |
pointing devices, optical scanning, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc. | |
Examples of the fourth generation | IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, Alter 8800, etc. |
The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to behave like humans. It is often seen in programs like voice recognition, area of medicine, and entertainment. Within the field of game playing also it’s shown remarkable performance where computers are capable of beating human competitors.
The speed is the highest, size is the smallest and area of use has remarkably increased within the fifth generation computers. Though not a hundred percent AI has been achieved to date but keeping in sight the present developments, it is often said that this dream also will become a reality very soon.
To summarize the features of varied generations of computers, it is often said that a big improvement has been seen so far because of the speed and accuracy of functioning care, but if we mention the dimensions, it’s been small over the years. The value is additionally diminishing and reliability is increasing.
AI-Based Computers
Characteristics | Components |
---|---|
Main electronic component | Based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method (ULSI has millions of transistors on a single microchip and the Parallel processing method use two or more microprocessors to run tasks simultaneously). |
Language | Understand natural language (human language). |
Size | Portable and small in size. |
Input/output device | Trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognize voice/speech), light scanner, printer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc. |
Example of the fifth generation | Desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc. |
1. what are the 5 types of generation of computer.
The five generations of computers are: 1. First Generation (1940s-1950s): Characterized by vacuum tubes and punched cards. Examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC. 2. Second Generation (1950s-1960s): Transistors replaced vacuum tubes, allowing smaller and more efficient computers. Introduction of high-level programming languages. Examples: IBM 1401, IBM 7094. 3. Third Generation (1960s-1970s): Integrated circuits (ICs) replaced transistors, leading to smaller and faster computers. Introduction of operating systems. Examples: IBM System/360, DEC PDP-11. 4. Fourth Generation (1970s-1980s): Microprocessors brought computing power to individual users. Introduction of personal computers. Examples: IBM PC, Apple Macintosh. 5. Fifth Generation (1980s-Present): Focus on parallel processing, artificial intelligence (AI), and natural language processing. Development of supercomputers and expert systems. Ongoing advancements in AI and machine learning. Examples: IBM Watson, Google’s DeepMind.
Gen Z technology encompasses the digital tools and platforms that define the experiences of individuals born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010s. This generation is characterized by its seamless integration of smartphones, social media, online collaboration, and video content into daily life, shaping their communication, learning, and entertainment habits.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines. It involves programming computers to think, learn, and perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence, such as problem-solving and decision-making. AI encompasses subfields like machine learning and natural language processing, with applications ranging from virtual assistants to autonomous vehicles.
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), completed in 1945, is widely regarded as the first electronic general-purpose computer.
Charles Babbage is known as the Father of Computers for his pioneering work on the concept of a programmable mechanical computer in the 19th century.
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