Computer Generations

In this tutorial, we will learn about different computer generations. The computer we see today has undergone rapid changes during the last sixty years. To understand the computer’s evolution, we can break this period into different phases and generations.

What are Computer Generations?

A Computer Generation refers to the technological advancements in computer design and development over time. Each generation brought new innovations—from vacuum tubes to microprocessors and now to artificial intelligence (AI).

The different generations of computers are as follows:

• First generation computers
• Second generation computers
• Third generation computers
• Fourth generation computers
• Fifth generation Computers

 

First generation (1940–1956): Vacuum Tubes

The First-generation computers used vacuum tubes as the major electronic component. In the first-generation computers, data and instructions were input from punched cards and the secondary storage consisted of magnetic drums.

Vacuum tubes were large and slow, and they produced lots of heat. The vacuum tubes failed frequently. These computers were given instructions in machine language, which is composed entirely of the numbers 0 and 1. Machine language was difficult to work with and hard to interpret.

• Technology Used: Vacuum tubes

• Memory: Magnetic drums

• Programming Language: Machine language (binary)

• Size: Very large (room-sized)

• Speed: Slow

• Examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC

• Drawbacks:

  • High electricity consumption

  • Overheated quickly

  • Frequent breakdowns

Second generation (1956–1963): Transistors

The large vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors in the second-generation computers. These transistors are small, require very little power, and run effectively. They are much more reliable. In this generation, memory was composed of small magnetic cores. Magnetic disks were developed for secondary storage.

The development of high-level languages, which are easier for people to understand and work with made programming easy. Second-generation computers could communicate with each other over telephone lines, and transmit data from one location to another. Communication was fairly slow, but a new method of exchanging data and ideas was now available.

These second-generation computers had some problems. The input and output devices were so slow that the computer itself was frequently idle, waiting for cards to be read or reports to be printed.

• Technology Used: Transistors

• Memory: Magnetic core

• Programming Language: Assembly language

• Size: Smaller than first generation

• Speed: Faster and more reliable

• Examples: IBM 1401, CDC 1604

• Improvements:

  • More energy-efficient

  • Cheaper to build and maintain

Third generation (1964–1971): Integrated Circuits (IC)

Third-generation computers used Integrated Circuits(ICs). These integrated circuits incorporate many transistors and electronic circuits on a single wafer or chip of silicon. Integrated circuits are sometimes called chips because of the way they are made.

Integrated circuit technology is responsible for the computer industry’s technical progress. The third-generation computers offered more memory and faster processing. Another significant development of this generation was the launching of the first telecommunications satellite. Communication stations of the earth could transmit and receive data to and from the satellites, enabling worldwide communications between computer systems.

• Technology Used: Integrated Circuits (ICs)

• Programming Language: High-level languages (COBOL, FORTRAN)

• Size: Smaller and compact

• Speed: More processing power

• Examples: IBM 360 series

• Features:

  • Multiple applications could run at once

  • Less heat generation

  • Increased reliability

Fourth generation (1971–Present): Microprocessors

The creation of a tiny computer on a chip gave way to the world’s first microprocessor. A microprocessor chip holds on a single chip the entire control unit and arithmetic-logic unit of a computer. The technique called Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) used to build microprocessors enables chip companies to mass-produce computer chips that contain hundreds of thousands or even millions of transistors. Efforts to pack even more transistors on one chip have led to such developments as Intel’s Pentium microprocessors.

• Technology Used: Microprocessors

• Memory: Semiconductor memory

• Programming Language: Advanced high-level languages (C, C++, Java)

• Size: Desktop and personal computers

• Speed: Very fast

• Examples: Intel 4004, IBM PCs, Apple Macintosh

• Highlights:

  • Introduction of personal computers (PCs)

  • Graphical user interface (GUI)

  • Networking and internet

Fifth generation ( Present & Beyond): Artificial Intelligence (AI)

This generation of computers handles Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Computers that use Artificial Intelligence will have some attributes associated with human intelligence, such as the capabilities to decode and respond to natural language ( like English), recognize patterns, etc.

• Technology Used: AI, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Quantum computing (research)

• Features:

  • Understand human language

  • Self-learning and decision-making

  • Robotics and automation

• Examples:

  • AI assistants (ChatGPT, Alexa)

  • Self-driving cars

  • Smart devices

• Goal:

  • Develop systems that can think and act like humans