BCA-I (Session:-2022-23) [GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER]

Generations of Computer
Introduction:
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data. It has the abilityto store,
retrieve, and process data.
Nowadays, a computer can be used to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the
Web. It can also be used to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos. But the
evolution of this complex system started around 1942 with the first Generation of Computer and
evolving ever since.
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was beingused.
Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But
nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire
computer system.
The abacus was initially used for the mathematical tasks in the history of the computer. It is also
known as counting frame and a calculating tool that was used in Europe, China, and Russia a few
centuries before.
The beginning of the computer is related to the 19th century. There was an English mathematics
professor named Charles Babbage. He has developed the Analytical Engine. There are five generations
of computer history. Every generation is a symbol of the development of significant technology. All five
generations of computer are given below:

S.N. Generation & Description

1. First Generation
The period of first generation: 1942-1954. Vaccum tube based.

2. Second Generation
The period of second generation: 1954-1964. Transistor based.

3. Third Generation
The period of third generation: 1964-1972. Integrated Circuit based.

4. Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation: 1972-1990. VLSI microprocessor based.

5. Fifth Generation The period of fifth generation : [Link]

1 Prepared by:- [Link]. Palwinder Kaur | Public College Samana

1. FIRST GENERATION
First generation of computer started with using vacuum tubes as the basic components for
memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes like electric bulbs
produced a lot of heat and were prone to frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were
very expensive and could be afforded only by very large organizations. In this generation
mainly batch processing operating system were [Link] this generation Punched cards, Paper
tape, Magnetic tape Input & Output device were used. There were Machine code and electric
wired board languages used.
 Introduction:
1. 1945-1954 is the period of first generation computer.
2. [Link] and [Link] invented the first successful electronic computercalled
ENIAC, ENIAC stands for “Electronic Numeric Integrated And Calculator”.
 Few Examples are:
1. ENIAC
2. EDVAC
3. UNIVA
C 4. IBM-
701 5. IBM-
650
 Advantages:
1. It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component
available during those days.
2. These computers could calculate in milliseconds.
 Disadvantages:
1. These were very big in size; weight was about 30 tones.
2. These computers were based on vacuum tubes.
3. These computers were very costly.
4. It could store only a small amount of information due to the presence of
magnetic drums.
5. As the invention of first generation computers involves vacuum tubes, so another
disadvantage of these computers was, vacuum tubes require a largecooling system.
6. Very less work efficiency.
7. Limited programming capabilities and punch cards were used to take inputs.
8. Large amount of energy consumption.
9. Not reliable and constant maintenance is required.

2 Prepared by:- [Link]. Palwinder Kaur | Public College Samana

2. SECOND GENERATION
This generation using the transistor were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in
size, more reliable and faster than the first generation machines made of vacuum tubes. In
this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memoryand magnetic tape and
magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. In this generation assembly language and high
level programming language like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. There were Batch
processing and Multiprogramming Operating system used.
 Introduction:
1. 1954-1964 is the period of second-generation computer.
2. Second generation computers were based on Transistor instead of vacuumtubes.
 Few Examples are:
1. Honeywell 4002.
IBM 7094
3. CDC 1604
4. CDC 3600
5. UNIVAC 1108
… many more
 Advantages:
1. Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes, the size ofelectron
component decreased. This resulted in reducing the size of a computer as
compared to first generation computers.
2. Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first generation.
3. Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.
4. Low cost than first generation computers.
5. Better speed, calculate data in microseconds.
6. Better portability as compared to first generation
 Disadvantages:
1. A cooling system was required.
2. Constant maintenance was required.
3. Only used for specific purposes.

3 Prepared by:- [Link]. Palwinder Kaur | Public College Samana

3. THIRD GENERATION
The third generation of computer is marked by the use of Integrated Circuits (IC's) in place of
transistors. A single I.C has many transistors, resistors and capacitors along with the
associated circuitry. The I.C was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers
smaller in size, reliable and efficient. In this generation Remote processing, Time-sharing,
Real-time, Multi-programming Operating System were used. High level language
(FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during
this generation.

 Introduction:
1. 1964-1972 is the period of third generation computer.
2. These computers were based on Integrated circuits.
3. IC was invented by Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby In 1958-1959.
4. IC was a single component containing number of transistors.
 Few Examples are:
1. PDP-8
2. PDP-11
3. ICL 2900
4. IBM 360
5. IBM 370
… and many more
 Advantages:
1. These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation
computers.
2. They were fast and reliable.
3. Use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.
4. IC not only reduce the size of the computer but it also improves the
performance of the computer as compared to previous computers.
5. This generation of computers has big storage capacity.
6. Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard are used for input.
7. They used an operating system for better resource management and usedthe
concept of time-sharing and multiple programming.
8. These computers reduce the computational time from microseconds to
nanoseconds.
 Disadvantages:
1. IC chips are difficult to maintain.
2. The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of ICchips.
3. Air conditioning is required.

4 Prepared by:- [Link]. Palwinder Kaur | Public College Samana

4. FOURTH GENERATION
The fourth generation of computers is marked by the use of Very Large Scale Integrated
(VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements and
their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have microcomputers of fourth
generation. Fourth Generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and
affordable. As a result, it gave rise to personal computer (PC) revolution. In this generation
Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed Operating System were used. All the
Higher level languageslike C and C++, DBASE etc. were used in this generation.

 Introduction:
1. 1972-1990 is the period of fourth generation computer.
2. This technology is based on Microprocessor.
3. A microprocessor is used in a computer for any logical and arithmetic functionto be
performed in any program.
4. Graphics User Interface (GUI) technology was exploited to offer more comfortto
users.
 Few Examples are:
1. IBM 4341
2. DEC 10
3. STAR 1000
4. PUP 11
… and many more
 Advantages:
1. Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the previous
generation of computer.
2. Heat generated is negligible.
3. Small in size as compared to previous generation computers.
4. Less maintenance is required.
5. All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.
 Disadvantages:
1. The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.
2. Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.
3. Advance technology is required to make the ICs.

5 Prepared by:- [Link]. Palwinder Kaur | Public College Samana

5. FIFTH GENERATION

In the fifth generation, the VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra LargeScale
Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips
having ten million electronic components. This generation is based on parallel
processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is an
emerging branch in computer science,which interprets means and method of
making computers think like human beings. All the Higher level languages
like C and C++, Java,
.Net etc. are used in this generation. AI
includes:
 Robotics
 Neural networks
 Game Playing
 Development of expert systems to make decisions in real life
situations.
 Natural language understanding and generation.
 Introduction:
1. The period of the fifth generation in 1990-onwards.
2. This generation is based on artificial intelligence.
3. The aim of the fifth generation is to make a device which could respond tonatural
language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
4. This generation is based on ULSI(Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology
resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic
component.
 Few Examples are:
1. Desktop
2. Laptop
3. Notebook
4. Ultra Book
5. Chromebook
… and many more
 Advantages:
1. It is more reliable and works faster.
2. It is available in different sizes and unique features.
3. It provides computers with more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia
features.
 Disadvantages:
1. They need very low-level languages.
2. They may make the human brains dull and doomed.

6 Prepared by:- [Link]. Palwinder Kaur | Public College Samana

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9 Prepared by:- [Link]. Palwinder Kaur | Public College Samana