Computer Generations Summary

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Questions and Answers

What were the primary hardware technologies used in the first generation of computers?

  • Transistors and magnetic disks
  • Vacuum tubes and magnetic tapes (correct)
  • Solid state disks and optical disks
  • Integrated circuits and microprocessors

Which programming languages were primarily associated with the second generation of computers?

  • Java and Python
  • Object-oriented programming languages
  • Machine and assembly languages (correct)
  • C and C++

What key characteristic defined the third generation of computers?

  • Limited programming capabilities
  • Higher reliability and ease of upgrades (correct)
  • Focus solely on scientific applications
  • Increased size and weight

During which generation did the introduction of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) occur?

<p>Fourth generation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the main advancements in hardware for the fifth generation of computers?

<p>Development of multicore processor chips (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which operating systems were prominent during the fourth generation?

<p>Multiprocessor operating systems and GUI-based systems (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following representative systems belongs to the second generation?

<p>UNIVAC II (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable feature of computers in the fifth generation compared to earlier generations?

<p>They include portable and handheld devices. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which technology was NOT typically associated with the first generation of computers?

<p>Transistors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change in software technologies during the third generation of computers?

<p>Standardization of high-level programming languages (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

First Generation Computers

Early computers (1942-1955) using vacuum tubes and punch cards.

Second Generation Computers

Computers (1955-1964) using transistors, faster and more reliable than the first generation.

Third Generation Computers

Computers (1964-1975) using Integrated Circuits (ICs). Smaller, cheaper, and more powerful.

Fourth Generation Computers

Computers (1975-1989) featuring Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) chips and microprocessors.

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Fifth Generation Computers

Computers (1989-Present) using ULSI technology, featuring multicore processors and the internet.

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Vacuum Tubes

Electronic components used in early computers, large and unreliable.

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Transistors

Smaller, faster, and more reliable components replacing vacuum tubes in computers.

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Integrated Circuits (ICs)

Miniaturized circuits combining many transistors on a single chip.

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Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)

Technology enabling many components on a single chip, leading to powerful microprocessors.

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High-level Programming Languages

Languages like FORTRAN, closer to English, making computers easier to program.

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Study Notes

Computer Generations Summary

  • First Generation (1942-1955):

    • Used vacuum tubes
    • Relied on electromagnetic relays for memory
    • Punched cards for input and output
    • Systems were large and unreliable
    • Primarily used for scientific calculations
    • Key systems: ENIAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC I
  • Second Generation (1955-1964):

    • Replaced vacuum tubes with transistors
    • Magnetic core memory
    • Magnetic tapes and disks became secondary storage
    • More reliable and smaller than first generation
    • High-level programming languages emerged
    • Key systems: EDSAC, UNIVAC I, IBM 701, Honeywell 400, IBM 7030
  • Third Generation (1964-1975):

    • Integrated circuits (ICs) replaced transistors
    • Smaller, more reliable, and affordable
    • Introduced timesharing operating systems
    • Wider use of high-level languages
    • Key systems: IBM 360/370, PDP-8, CDC 6600
  • Fourth Generation (1975-1989):

    • Large scale integration (LSI) of circuits
    • Introduced microprocessors
    • Increased memory capacity
    • Wider adoption of personal computers
    • Increased use of hard disks and magnetic tapes
    • Key systems: IBM PC and clones, Apple II, TRS-80, VAX 9000, CRAY-1, CRAY-2, CRAY-X/MP,
  • Fifth Generation (1989-Present):

    • Very large scale integration (VLSI)
    • Multicore processors, massive parallel programming
    • Rapid advancements in speed and capacity
    • Networked computers and the internet shaped usage
    • Larger main memory
    • Key systems: iPhone, iPad, IBM notebooks, Pentium PCs, Windows PC, Apple PC, SUN Workstations, IBM SP/2, SGI Origin 2000, PARAM.

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