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# Computer Generations This document outlines the different generations of computers, categorized by their characteristics. | Feature | Generation 1 (1945-1955) | Generation 2 (1965-1974) | Generation 3 (1974-1990) | Generation 4 (1979-1990) | Generation 5 (1990 - present) | |---|---|---|---|---|-...

# Computer Generations This document outlines the different generations of computers, categorized by their characteristics. | Feature | Generation 1 (1945-1955) | Generation 2 (1965-1974) | Generation 3 (1974-1990) | Generation 4 (1979-1990) | Generation 5 (1990 - present) | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | **Context** | World War II's end, necessity for faster calculations drove development | Continued development of transistors and integrated circuits for faster and smaller computers. | Development of microprocessor, that integrated more components on a single chip. | Advancement of technology led to increased speed, storage capacity and new types of computers. | Further improvements in speed, storage, graphical capabilities and communication capabilities. | | **Main Component** | Vacuum tubes, mechanical or electro-mechanical | Transistors | Integrated circuits | Microprocessors | Microprocessors, VLSI circuits, and complex chips | | **Data Representation** | Mechanical, Punched Cards | Magnetic tape, and punched cards | Magnetic disks | Magnetic disks, Solid State Drives (SSD) | Magnetic disks, SSDs, ROM, CD-ROM, USB and more. | | **Memory** | Small, low capacity | Increased capacity | Increased capacity | Increased capacity | High capacity | | **Size** | Large, taking up entire rooms | Smaller than the previous generation | Smaller, more compact, suitable for general use | Continued miniaturization. | More compact, sometimes handheld device. | | **Input devices** | Punch cards | Keyboards, punched cards, mice or mouse-like devices | Keyboards, mice, graphic input devices such as touchscreen | Keyboards, mice, graphic input devices, touchscreens, USB devices and more | Keyboards, mice, graphic input devices, touchscreens, variety of input devices including different versions of cameras and mobile devices | | **Output devices** | Printers that produced tabular results | Printers, displays | Displays, printers, plotters | Displays, printers, plotters, additional accessories | Displays, printers, plotters, more specific output devices | | **Examples** | ENIAC, EDSAC | IBM 7090, UNIVAC | IBM System/360, Apple II | IBM PC, Apple Macintosh, STAR 1000 | Modern Smartphones, PCs, tablets | **Examples of specific computers (e.g., manufacturers and models):** * **Generation 1:** ENIAC, EDSAC * **Generation 2:** IBM 7090, UNIVAC * **Generation 3:** IBM System/360, Apple II * **Generation 4:** IBM PC, Apple Macintosh, STAR 1000 * **Generation 5:** Smartphones, modern PCs, tablets **Note:** The handwriting and some terms provide some challenges to a precise translation. The table provides a summary of main points and examples.