First Generation of Computers (1942-1955) : The beginning of commercial computer age is from UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer). It was developed by two scientists Mauchly and Echert at the Census Department of United States in 1947. The first generation computers were used during 1942-1955. They were based on vacuum tubes. Examples of first generation computers are ENIVAC and UNIVAC-1.
Advantages Vacuum tubes were the only electronic component available during those days.Vacuum tube technology made possible to make electronic digital computers.These computers could calculate data in millisecond. Disadvantages The computers were very large in size.They consumed a large amount of energy.They heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum tubes.They were not very reliable.Air conditioning was required.Constant maintenance was required.Non-portable.Costly commercial production.Limited commercial use.Very slow speed.Limited programming capabilities.Used machine language only.Used magnetic drums which provide very less data storage.Used punch cards for input.Not versatile and very faulty. Second Generation Computers (1955-1964) : The second generation computers usedtransistors. The scientists at Bell laboratories developed transistor in 1947. These scientists include John Barden, William Brattain and William Shockley. The size of the computers was decreased by replacing vacuum tubes with transistors. The examples of second generation computers are IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400 series and CDC 164 etc. Advantages Smaller in size as compared to the first generation computers.The 2nd generation Computers were more reliableUsed less energy and were not heated.Wider commercial useBetter portability as compared to the first generation computers.Better speed and could calculate data in microsecondsUsed faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks, printer etc.Used Assembly language instead of Machine language.Accuracy improved. Disadvantages Cooling system was requiredConstant maintenance was requiredCommercial production was difficultOnly used for specific purposesCostly and not versatilePuch cards were used for input. : Third Generation Computers (1964-1975) : The Third generation computers used theintegrated circuits (IC). Jack Kilby developed the concept of integrated circuit in 1958. It was an important invention in the computer field. The first IC was invented and used in 1961. The size of an IC is about ¼ square inch. A single IC chip may contain thousands of transistors. The computer became smaller in size, faster, more reliable and less expensive. The examples of third generation computers are IBM 370, IBM System/360, UNIVAC 1108 and UNIVAC AC 9000 etc. Advantages Smaller in size as compared to previous generations.More reliable.Used less energyProduced less heat as compared to the previous two generations of computers.Better speed and could calculate data in nanoseconds.Used fan for heat discharge to prevent damage.Maintenance cost was low because hardware failure is reare.Totally general purposeCould be used for high-level languages.Good storageVersatile to an extentLess expensiveBetter accuracyCommercial production increased.Used mouse and keyboard for input. Disadvantages Air conditioning was required.Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips. : Fourth Generation Computers (1975-Present) : The fourth generation computers started with the invention of Microprocessor. The Microprocessor contains thousands of ICs.Ted Hoff produced the first microprocessor in 1971 for Intel. It was known as Intel 4004. The technology of integrated circuitsimproved rapidly. The LSI (Large ScaleIntegration) circuit and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) circuit was designed. It greatly reduced the size of computer. The size of modern Microprocessors is usually one square inch. It can contain millions of electronic circuits. The examples of fourth generation computers are Apple Macintosh & IBM PC. Advantages More powerful and reliable than previous generations.Small in sizeFast processing power with less power consumptionFan for heat discharging and thus to keep cold.No air conditioning required.Totally general purposeCommercial productionLess need of repair.Cheapest among all generationsAll types of High level languages can be used in this type of computers Disadvantages The latest technology is required for manufacturing of Microprocessors. Fifth Generation Computers (Present & Beyond) : Scientists are working hard on the 5thgeneration computers with quite a fewbreakthroughs. It is based on the technique of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Computers can understand spoken words & imitate human reasoning. Can respond to its surroundings using different types of sensors. Scientists are constantly working to increase the processing power of computers. They are trying to create a computer with real IQ with the help of advanced programming and technologies. IBM Watson computeris one example that outsmarts Harvard University Students. The advancement in modern technologies will revolutionize the computer in future. -- 1. Webpage for this HindiSTF is : https://groups.google.com/d/forum/hindistf Hindi KOER web portal is available on http://karnatakaeducation.org.in/KOER/en/index.php/Portal:Hindi 2. For Ubuntu 14.04 installation, visit http://karnatakaeducation.org.in/KOER/en/index.php/Kalpavriksha (It has Hindi interface also) 3. For doubts on Ubuntu and other public software, visit http://karnatakaeducation.org.in/KOER/en/index.php/Frequently_Asked_Questions 4. If a teacher wants to join STF, visit http://karnatakaeducation.org.in/KOER/en/index.php/Become_a_STF_groups_member 5. Are you using pirated software? 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