Generations of Computers
-each generations are based on a new technological development, resulting in a better cheaper, smaller, and overall better computers.
Generation 1: Vacuum Tubes
( 1940 - 1956 )
Software Techology: The instructions were written in machine language. It uses 1's and 0's for coding and instructions. It could solve one problem at a time.
Computing Characteristics: It could compute in milliseconds
Physical Appearance: They are very large and could fit an entire room
Application: Scientific Stuff
Examples: UNIVAC
They used vacuum tubes, the inputs were through punch cards and paper tapes. The results were displayed as (very) long printouts.
Generation 2: Transistors
( 1956 - 1963 )
Software Technology: The instructions were written using the assembly language
Computing Characteristics: It could compute in microseconds
Physical Appearance: Transistors are smaller than vacuum tubes, so smaller computers
Application: They were expensive and the transistors had to be assembled manually
Examples: IBM 1401
They used magnetic core technology for Main Memory. They used magnetic tapes and disks for secondary storage. The inputs was still through punched cards. They used the concept of instruction being stored.
Generation 3: Integrated Circuits
( 1964 - 1971 )
Software Technology: Already had monitors, keyboards, and OS. High-level programming was used instead of machine and assembly language.
Computing Characteristics: It could compute in nanoseconds
Physical Appearance: Smaller than the second generation computers
Application: They were finally accessible for the mass
Examples: IBM 370
Has an IC Chip, which contains Transistors.
Generation 4: Microprocessors
( 1971 - Present )
Software Technology: More OS and already has GUI, high-level programming needed
Computing Characteristics: Could compute in picoseconds, which is very fast
Physical Appearance: Some are small, some are big
Application: These are really accessible, can be used for commercial and personal use
Examples: Macintosh
Because of Large Scale Integration and Very Large Scale Integration, they were able to put thousands to hundred thousands of transistors into small silicon chips.
Generation 5: Artificial Intelligence
( Probably Happening - Future )
The goal here is to create a computer capable of learning, adapting and evolving by itself. They will use Super Large Scale Integration. They will use parallel processing allowing multiple instructions to be executed at the same time. Dual-Core, quad-core,etc... uses parallel processing.
Ron Mikhael Surara
