Generation-of-computer full chapter in detail

Generation of computer:

The phase wise development of computers on the basis of main component, their size,
processing speed, system architecture etc used by them took place into five distinct
phases which is called generation of computer.

Computer generation is the classification of computers into different groups according to
their manufacturing date, other hardware and software technology used inside those
computers.

There are five computer generations known till date. They are as follows:

a) First Generation computer:

A type of generation of computer in which computer were developed during the
time period of 1946A.D.-1955A.D. & which uses Vacuum tubes as a main
component is called first generation of computer .

Features of first generation of Computer are as follows:

 The time period of first generation of computer was 1946A.D. -1955 A.D.
 First generation of Computer uses vacuum tubes as a main component.
 Machine level languages were used as programming language in First

generation of Computer.
 The processing speed were in Millisecond (10-3) of first generation of computer.
 First generation of computer were having a less storage capacity as compare to

others generations of computer.
 First generation of computer were larger in size, consumes more electricity and

generates more heat as compare to other generation of computer.
 For eg:

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator.

UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)
EDVAC(Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
EDSAC(Electronic Delay storage Automatic Computer)

b) Second Generation computer:

A type of generation of computer in which computer were developed during
the time period of 1956A.D.-1965A.D. & which uses Transistors as a main
component is called Second generation of computer .

Features of Second generation of Computer are as follows:

 The time period of second generation of computer was 1956A.D. -1965 A.D.
 Second generation of Computer uses Transistors as a main component.

 Assembly level languages were used as programming language in second
generation of Computer.

 The processing speed were in Microsecond (10-6) of second generation of
computer.

 Second generation of computer were having a more storage capacity as compare
to 1st generations of computer and had less storage capacity as compare to 3rd,
4th and 5th generation of computer.

 Second generation of computer were smaller in size, consumes less electricity
and generates less heat as compare to first generation of computer but larger in
size, consumes more electricity and generates more heat as compare to 3rd, 4th
and 5th generation of computer.

 For eg: IBM 1401, IBM 1620 etc.

C) Third Generation computer:

A type of generation of computer in which computer were developed during the time
period of 1966-1975 A.D. & which uses IC chips as a main component is called
Third generation of computer .

Features of Third generation of Computer are as follows:

 The time period of Third generation of computer was 1966A.D. -1975 A.D.
 Third generation of Computer uses IC chip as a main component.
 Basic (COBOL, FORTRAN etc) High level languages were used as

programming language in Third generation of Computer.
 The processing speed were in Nanosecond (10-9) of Third generation of

computer.
 Third generation of computer were having a more storage capacity as compare

to 1st and 2nd generations of computer and had less storage capacity as compare
to 4th and 5th generation of computer.
 Third generation of computer were smaller in size, consumes less electricity and
generates less heat as compare to first and second generation of computer but
larger in size, consumes more electricity and generates more heat as compare to
4th and 5th generation of computer.
 For eg: IBM 360 Series, ICL 1900 Series etc.
D) Fourth Generation computer:

A types of generation of computer in which computer is developed after 1975 AD
and still are developing and we are using and which uses Microprocessor as a
main component is called fourth generation of computer.

Features of Fourth generation of Computer are as follows:

 The time period of fourth generation of computer was 1976A.D. - still.
 Fourth generation of Computer uses Microprocessor as a main component.

 Advance (C, C++, Java, PHP etc) High level languages is used as programming
language in fourth generation of Computer.

 The processing speed is in Pico Second (10-12) of Fourth generation of
computer.

 Fourth generation of computer is having a more storage capacity as compare to
other 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation of computer.

 Fourth generation of computer is smaller in size as well as portable, consumes
less electricity and generates less heat as compare to other 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation
of computer.

 For eg: IBM-PC, APPLE-II etc.
E) Fifth Generation computer:

A type of generation computer which is not developed yet but still in progress
and will be developed soon and which will use bio chip as a main component will be
known as fifth generation computer.

Features of Fifth generation of Computer are as follows:

 Fifth generation computer is not developed yet ,still in progress and will be
developed soon.

 Fifth generation computer will use Bio chip as main component.
 Fifth generation computer will use Natural language as programming language.
 The processing speed of fifth generation computer will be in Femto second (10-

15) or more.
 Fifth generation computer will have a huge storage capacity as compare to other

generation of computer.
 For eg: CRAY –XMP 14, PARAM 10000, IBM SP/2
 These computers, included concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
 The goal of fifth generation computer is to develop device that respond to

human language.
 Fifth generation computers are capable of taking decisions.