Generations of Computer PDF

Generations of Computer: The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of your time. It had been around the 16th century when the evolution of the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for the betterment. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accurac...

Generations of Computer: The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of your time. It had been around the 16th century when the evolution of the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for the betterment. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accuracy, size, and price to urge the form of the fashionable day computer. Basic Terms Related to Computers The basic terms related to generations of computers are listed below. 1. Vacuum Tube: Vacuum tubes have the functionality of controlling the flow of electronics in a vacuum. Generally, it is used in switches, amplifiers, radios, televisions, etc. 2. Transistor: A transistor helps in controlling the flow of electricity in devices, it works as an amplifier or a switch. 3. Integrated Circuit (IC): Integrated circuits are silicon chips that contain their circuit elements like transistors, resistors, etc. 4. Microprocessors: Microprocessors are the components that contain the CPU and its circuits and are present in the Integrated Circuit. 5. Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is called the brain of the computer. CPU performs processing and operations work. 6. Magnetic Drum: Magnetic Drum is like a cylinder that stores data and cylinder. 7. Magnetic Core: Magnetic cores are used to store information. These are arrays of small rings. 8. Machine Language: Machine Language is the language that a computer accepts (in the form of binary digits). It is also called low- level programming language. 9. Memory: Memory is used to store data, information, and program in a computer. 10. Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence deals with creating intelligent machines and behaviors. Phases of Computer Generations This long period is often conveniently divided into the subsequent phases called computer generations.  First Generation Computers (1940-1956)  Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)  Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)  Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present)  Fifth Generation Computers (Present and Beyond) Generations of Evolving Computer Time-Period Hardware First Generation 1940s – 1950s Vacuum Tube Based  Generations of Evolving Computer Time-Period Hardware Second Generation 1950s – 1960s Transistor Based Third Generation 1960s – 1970s Integrated Circuit Based Fourth Generation 1970s – Present Microprocessor Based Artificial Intelligence Fifth Generation Present – Future Based Before the generation of computers, we used calculators, spread sheets, and computer algebra systems, mathematicians and inventors searched for solutions to ease the burden of calculation. Below are the 8 Mechanical Calculators before modern computers were invented. 1. Abacus (ca. 2700 BC) 2. Pascal’s Calculator (1652) 3. Stepped Reckoner (1694) 4. Arithmometer (1820) 5. Comptometer (1887) and Comptograph (1889) 6. The Difference Engine (1822) 7. Analytical Engine (1834) 8. The Millionaire (1893) First Generation Computers The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device, which was called a vacuum tube. These computers were very heavy and really large. These weren’t very reliable and programming on them was a tedious task as they used low-level programming language and used no OS. First-generation computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purpose. They were too bulky and large that they needed a full room and consume a lot of electricity. Punch cards were used for improving the information for external storage. Magnetic card used. Machine and assembly language is developed. Examples of some main first-generation computers are mentioned below.  ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been cumbersome, and large, and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes.  EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was designed by von Neumann. It could store data also as instruction and thus the speed was enhanced.  UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computer was developed in 1952 by Eckert and Mauchly. Vacuum Tube Characteristics of First-Generation Computers Characteristics Components Main electronic component Vacuum tube. Programming language Machine language. Main memory Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums. Input/output devices Paper tape and punched cards. Very slow and very large (often taking Speed and size up an entire room). IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, Examples of the first generation etc. Second Generation Computers Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes. Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit. Transistors were invented in Bell Labs. The use of transistors made it possible to perform powerfully and with due speed. It reduced the dimensions and price and thankfully the warmth too, which was generated by vacuum tubes. Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language, and input, and output units also came into the force within the second generation. The programming language was shifted from high level to programming language and made programming comparatively a simple task for programmers. Languages used for programming during this era were FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959). Transistor Characteristics of Second-Generation Computers Characteristics Components Main electronic component Transistor. Machine language and assembly Programming language language. Magnetic core and magnetic Memory tape/disk. Input/output devices Magnetic tape and punched cards. Smaller in size, had low power consumption, and generated less Power and size heat (in comparison with the first- generation computers). PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 Examples of the second generation and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, CDC 3600, etc. Third Generation Computers During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors to integrated circuits, also referred to as IC. Here a variety of transistors were placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors. The most feature of this era’s computer was speed and reliability. IC was made from silicon and also called silicon chips. The computer programs was designed to make the machine work. Operating system was a program designed to handle a machine completely. Because of the operating system machine could execute multiple jobs simultaneously. Integrated circuits were used to replace many transistors used in the second generation. A single IC has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on one thin slice of silicon. The value size was reduced and memory space and dealing efficiency were increased during this generation. Programming was now wiped out Higher level languages like BASIC (Beginners All- purpose Symbolic Instruction Code). Minicomputers find their shape during this era. Integrated Circuit Characteristics of Third-Generation Computers Characteristics Components Main electronic component Integrated circuits (ICs). Programming language High-level language. Large magnetic core, magnetic Memory tape/disk. Magnetic tape, monitor, keyboard, Input/output devices printer, etc. IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, NCR Examples of the third generation 395, B6500, UNIVAC 1108, etc. Fourth Generation Computers In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large-scale of integration LSI circuits built on one chip called microprocessors. The advantage of this technology is that one microprocessor can contain all the circuits required to perform arithmetic, logic, and control functions on one chip. LSI placed thousands of transistors onto a single chip. The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation provided even smaller size of computers, with larger capacities. That’s not enough, then Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced LSI circuits. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the pc from the central processing unit and memory to input/ output controls on one chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce drastically. VLSI placed several hundred thousand transistors on a single silicon chip. This silicon chip is known as the micro processor. Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed, and virtual memory made it a more user-friendly and customary device. The concept of private computers and computer networks came into being within the fourth generation. Microprocessor Characteristics of Fourth-Generation Computers Characteristics Components Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) and the microprocessor (VLSI has Main electronic component thousands of transistors on a single microchip). semiconductor memory (such Memory as RAM, ROM, etc.). pointing devices, optical scanning, Input/output devices keyboard, monitor, printer, etc. IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Examples of the fourth generation Macintosh, Alter 8800, etc. Fifth Generation Computers The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to behave like humans. It is often seen in programs like voice recognition, area of medicine, and entertainment. Within the field of game playing also it’s shown remarkable performance where computers are capable of beating human competitors. The speed is the highest, size is the smallest and area of use has remarkably increased within the fifth generation computers. Though not a hundred percent AI has been achieved to date but keeping in sight the present developments, it is often said that this dream also will become a reality very soon. To summarize the features of varied generations of computers, it is often said that a big improvement has been seen so far because of the speed and accuracy of functioning care, but if we mention the dimensions, it’s been small over the years. The value is additionally diminishing and reliability is increasing. AI-Based Computers Characteristics of Fifth-Generation Computers Characteristics Components Based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method (ULSI has millions Main electronic component of transistors on a single microchip and the Parallel processing method use two or more microprocessors to run tasks simultaneously). Understand natural language (human Language language). Size Portable and small in size. Trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognize Input/output device voice/speech), light scanner, printer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc. Desktops, laptops, tablets, Example of the fifth generation smartphones, etc.