Computer Generations

1. 1st Generation Computer (1944 - 1955)
2. 2nd Generation Computers (1955–1964)
3. 3rd Generation Computers (1964–1971)
4. 4th Generation Computers (1971-Present)
5. 5th Generation Computers (Present and Beyond)

1st Generation Computers (1944–1955)

• Used Thermion Valves.
• Large in size.
• A large amount of weight and power consumption.
• Relied on “ Machine Languages”.
• Therefore programming was very difficult and slow.
• Very expensive to operate.
• Using a big amount of electricity also generates lots of heat.

eg:- ENIAC

ENIAC

2nd Generation Computers (1955–1964)

• Used Transistors.
• They are small, more rugged, cheaper, and more reliable than Thermal Valves.
• Higher operating speed than 1st Generation.
• Sized and weight decreased when compared to 1st Generation.
• Also, manufacturing costs are reduced.
• Developments in Central Processing Unit (CPU), Memory, Programming Languages and Input/Output Units.
• High-level programming languages are introduced in this generation.
• Development of software for computers.
• The computer industry experienced rapid growth.

eg:- IBM 1620, IBM 7094

IBM PC

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3rd Generation Computers (1964–1971)

• Integrated Circuits (ICs) are used in this generation.
• Sized of the computer got further reduced.
• High-level programming languages were developed.
• Large IC companies started. (eg:- Intel & AMD)

Photo by Ryan on Unsplash

• The cost of production got even reduced.
• The memory capacity increased.
• The processing speed was also very high.
• Substantial Operating Systems (OS) were developed to manage and share computing resources.
• Time-sharing Operating Systems were developed.
• Pervade most areas of business and administration.
• Allowed the device to run many different applications at one time.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

4th Generation Computers (1971-Present)

• Personal computers were developed.
• IBM launched the Power PC and Pentium introduced the 8088 and 8086 microprocessors.

Intel Microprocessor

• Large Scale Integrated Circuits (LSIC) is built on a single silicon chip called a “ Microprocessor ”.
• More powerful Operating Systems are available. ( eg:- Unix, Microsoft Windows etc.)
• Fourth Generation Languages (4GLs) make the development process much easier and faster.
• Application software become cheaper and easier to use.
• Software development techniques vastly improved.

Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash

5th Generation Computers (Present and Beyond)

• Based on AI (Artificial Inteligence).
• Still in development.

eg:- Voice Recognition

• Using Parallel processing and Superconductors is helping to make AI a reality.
• The goal is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.

Photo by Hitesh Choudhary on Unsplash