Generations of Computer - Computer Fundamentals, Computer Awareness | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

Generations of Computer

The ancient computers occupied more space and more infrastructure.  So it took up-gradations through 5 generations to become the modern day computer. 
The generations of computer are discussed below as follows:

First Generation Computer 

• Period : 1946-1959.
• They used Vacuum tubes as their basic component. 
• They produced more heat, so needed cooling devices. 
• They consumed huge electricity, occupied huge spaces, huge costs, etc., 
• Machine code was used as programming language.
• Example : ENIAC

Second Generation Computer

• Period : 1959-1965.
• They used transistors as their components as they were cheap, compact, faster programming and produced less heat than the first generation computers. 
• Assembly language and high-level programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL was used.
• Example : UNIVAC 1108

Third Generation Computer

• Period : 1965-1971.
• They used Integrated circuits instead of transistors. 
• An Integrated Circuit consists of many transistors, resistors and capacitors along with the associated circuitry. 
• The Integrated circuit was invented by Jack Kilby. 
• It provided compactness, cost effectiveness, less electricity consumption, etc., 
• High-level languages like FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 were used.
• Example : Honeywell-6000 series

Fourth Generation Computer

• Period : 1971-1980.
• They used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits instead of Integrated circuits. 
• VLSI  had the capability to have numerous transistors and other circuitry on a single chip. 
• It still paved way for compactness, no requirement of cooling AC unit, affordable, powerful, etc., 
• High-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., can be used.
• Example : STAR 1000

Fifth Generation Computer

• Period : 1980-present times.
• The  VLSI technology was transformed into ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology accommodating millions of electronic components in a chip. 
• It provided way for artificial intelligence and created more powerful, compact, affordable, advanced computers. 
• All high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc. can be used.
• Example : Laptops