Explain briefly about different generation computer.
The classification of computers into different groups according to manufacturing date and the memory device and other hardware and software technology used in them is called computer generation.
First -generation computers were powered by thousands of vacuum tubes or thermionic valves and their memory was stored on magnetic storage devices such as magnetic tapes and drums. Most data was entered onto the computers via punch cards or paper tape. Output was in the same form human operators had to set switches before a program could run.
Examples of First generation computers : ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC etc.
Second
Generation of Computers (1956-1963)
The invention of the transistor
greatly changed the computer's development. The transistors replaced the large,
cumbersome vacuum tube based first generation computers. As a result, the size
of machine has been lessening ever since. Magnetic cores were used as primary
memory and magnetic disks, tapes were used as secondary storage device. However
they still relied on punched cards for input printout for output.
Assembly language, in the form of
alphanumeric that is mnemonics, was used for program. As a result, programming
became less cumbersome. Early high level programming languages such as FORTRAN
(Formula Translator), ALGOL(Algorithmic Language) and COBOL (Common Business
Oriented Language) also came into existence in this period.
Examples of Second generation
computer: IBM 1401, IBM 7090 etc.
Third
Generation Computers (1964 - Early 1970s)
Despite the fact that transistors
were clearly an improvement over the vacuum tube, they still generated a great
deal of heat, which damaged the computer’s sensitive internal parts. Scientists
later managed to fit even more components on a single chip, called a
semiconductor that is integrated circuits. As a result, computers became ever
smaller as more components were squeezed onto the chip. Another third
generation development included the use of an operating system that allowed
machines to run many different programs at once with a central program that
monitored and coordinated the computer’s memory.
Examples of Third generation
computers: NCR 395, B6500 etc.
Fourth Generation Computers ( Early 1970s-Till Date)
Fourth Generation computers are the
modern day nowadays latest computers. The size started to go down with the
improvement in the integrated circuits. Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) and
Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) ensured that millions of components could
be fit into a small chip. It reduced the size and price of the computers at the
same time increasing power, efficiency and reliability.
Fourth generation computers use VLSI
( Very Large Scale Integration ) chips for CPU, memory and supporting chips,
they use microprocessors as CPU.
Examples of Fourth generation
Computers: Apple II, Altair 8800, CRAY
-1 etc.
Fifth Generation of Computer ( Present and Beyond )
The computers of this generation are
still in development stage, but scientist are trying since 1990. The computers
of this generation will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biochips as memory
device so that they can think and decide like a human being. Biochips are made
up of Biological organism and protein fibers obtain from the living organism.
So these computers will have the power of sense, logic, decision making
capability and decisions making capability parallel processing. Developments in
computers hardware and software design may produce computers far more powerful
than those in current use.
