Which generation of computers used vacuum tubes?a)First Generationb)Se...
Answer: A. First Generation
Explanation: First-generation computers, which were developed between 1940 and 1956, used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. These computers were large, consumed a lot of power, and generated significant heat. Examples include ENIAC and EDVAC.
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Which generation of computers used vacuum tubes?a)First Generationb)Se...
First Generation computers used vacuum tubes:
Vacuum tubes were the primary electronic components used in the first generation of computers. These computers were developed in the late 1940s and 1950s and were characterized by their large size, high power consumption, and limited processing capabilities.
Characteristics of First Generation computers:
- Vacuum tubes were used as the main electronic components for processing and memory.
- These computers were very large and required a lot of space.
- They were very expensive to build and maintain.
- They consumed a lot of power and generated a significant amount of heat.
- They were limited in terms of processing speed and memory capacity.
Advantages and disadvantages of vacuum tubes:
- Vacuum tubes allowed for the creation of the first electronic digital computers.
- They were faster and more reliable than mechanical computers.
- However, they were prone to burning out and had a limited lifespan.
- They also required a lot of maintenance and replacement, which made them expensive to use.
Transition to subsequent generations:
- The development of transistor technology in the late 1950s led to the second generation of computers, which replaced vacuum tubes with transistors.
- Subsequent generations of computers (third and fourth) continued to see advancements in technology, leading to smaller, faster, and more powerful computers.
In conclusion, the first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as the primary electronic components, marking the beginning of the digital computing era.