History of Computers and Generations

The history of computers dates to the early 1800s with the development of the first mechanical calculator by Charles Babbage. Babbage’s “Analytical Engine” was never completed, but it was the first attempt to design a machine that could perform calculations automatically.

In the late 1800s, several inventors developed early mechanical calculators that could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. The first electronic calculator was developed in the 1930s by Bell Labs, and it used vacuum tubes to perform calculations.

The first modern computer was the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), which was developed during World War II to perform calculations for the U.S. military. The ENIAC used vacuum tubes and was programmed by setting switches and plugging in cables.

First Generation Computers: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)

First-generation computers were the earliest electronic computers that were built using vacuum tube technology. They were developed during the 1940s and 1956 and were primarily used for scientific and military applications.

One of the most famous first-generation computers was the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), which was built at the University of Pennsylvania in 1945. The ENIAC was used for calculating artillery firing tables during World War II, and it used over 17,000 vacuum tubes and weighed more than 30 tons.

Other notable first-generation computers included the UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer), which was developed by Remington Rand in 1951. The UNIVAC was the first computer to be used for business applications, such as predicting the outcome of the 1952 U.S. presidential election.

First-generation computers were large and expensive, and they had limited processing power and memory compared to modern computers. They were programmed using machine language, which is a low-level programming language that uses binary code to represent instructions.

Despite their limitations, first-generation computers were important milestones in the development of computing technology. They paved the way for the development of later generations of computers that would be smaller, faster, and more powerful.

Important first-generation computers are Following:-

1.ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer): Developed in the United States in 1945, ENIAC was the first general-purpose electronic digital computer. It used over 17,000 vacuum tubes and was used for military calculations during World War II.

2.UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer): Developed in the United States in 1951, the UNIVAC was the first commercially available computer. It was used for scientific, business, and military applications.

3.EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer): Developed in the United States in 1951, EDVAC was the first computer to use stored programs. This meant that it could be programmed to perform different tasks by loading different programs into its memory.

4.EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator): Developed in the United Kingdom in 1949, EDSAC was the first computer to use von Neumann architecture. This architecture separates the program and data memory, allowing instructions to be stored in memory and executed automatically.

5.LEO (Lyons Electronic Office): Developed in the United Kingdom in 1951, LEO was the first computer used for business applications. It was used by the J. Lyons and Co. tea shops to perform tasks such as payroll and inventory management.

Main characteristics of first generation computers are:

Examples of the first generation IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc.

Second Generation Computers: Transistors (1956-1963)

Second-generation computers were developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and were based on the use of transistors instead of vacuum tubes. This resulted in smaller, faster, and more reliable computers that could perform more complex tasks.

Second-generation computers used transistors, which were smaller, faster, and more reliable than vacuum tubes. Transistors generated less heat and were more resistant to shock and vibration, making second-generation computers more reliable and easier to maintain.

Second-generation computers used magnetic core memory, which was faster and more reliable than the drum memory used in first-generation computers. Magnetic core memory was also smaller and more efficient, making it possible to store more data in less space.

Second-generation computers introduced high-level programming languages such as COBOL and FORTRAN, which made it easier to write complex programs. These languages were easier to use than the machine language used in first-generation computers and allowed programmers to focus on the logic of the program rather than the details of the hardware.

Main characteristics of second generation computers are:-

Examples of second generation 

IBM 1401: Introduced in 1959, the IBM 1401 was a second-generation computer that was used for business and scientific applications.

IBM System/360: Introduced in 1964, the IBM System/360 was a family of second-generation mainframe computers that were designed for a range of applications, from scientific and engineering to business and government.

DEC PDP-1: Introduced in 1960, the DEC PDP-1 was a second-generation computer that was used for scientific and engineering applications, as well as for the development of computer games.

UNIVAC 1107: Introduced in 1962, the UNIVAC 1107 was a second-generation computer that was used for scientific, engineering, and business applications.

CDC 6600: Introduced in 1964, the CDC 6600 was a second-generation supercomputer that was designed for high-performance computing applications, such as weather forecasting and scientific research.

Third Generation Computers: Integrated Circuits. (1964-1971)

Third-generation computers were developed in the mid-1960s to early 1970s, and were based on the use of integrated circuits (ICs) instead of individual transistors. This resulted in even smaller, faster, and more powerful computers that could perform more complex tasks and handle larger amounts of data.

Third-generation computers used integrated circuits, which were small chips that contained multiple transistors and other electronic components. This made it possible to build more complex circuits in a smaller space, resulting in smaller, faster, and more powerful computers.

Third-generation computers introduced operating systems, which were software programs that managed the hardware and provided an interface between the user and the computer. This made it easier to use computers and allowed multiple users to access the same system simultaneously.

 Third-generation computers used magnetic disk storage, which was faster and more efficient than magnetic tape or drum storage used in earlier computers. This allowed for larger amounts of data to be stored and accessed more quickly.

Third-generation computers continued to use high-level programming languages such as COBOL and FORTRAN, but also introduced new languages such as BASIC and C. These languages were even easier to use than earlier languages and allowed for faster development of complex programs.

Main characteristics of third generation computers are:

Examples of third generation      

IBM System/360: Introduced in 1964, the IBM System/360 was a family of third-generation mainframe computers that were designed for a range of applications, from scientific and engineering to business and government.

DEC PDP-11: Introduced in 1970, the DEC PDP-11 was a third-generation minicomputer that was used for a variety of applications, including scientific research, industrial control, and business.

HP 3000: Introduced in 1972, the HP 3000 was a third-generation minicomputer that was used for business and government applications, such as accounting, payroll, and inventory management.

Burroughs B5000: Introduced in 1961, the Burroughs B5000 was a third-generation mainframe computer that was designed for business and scientific applications. It introduced new concepts in computer architecture, such as a stack-based architecture and a self-relocating compiler.

CDC 7600: Introduced in 1969, the CDC 7600 was a third-generation supercomputer that was designed for high-performance computing applications, such as weather forecasting and scientific research.

Fourth Generation Computers: Micro-processors (1971-Present)

In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large scale of integration LSI circuits built on one chip called microprocessors. The most advantage of this technology is that one microprocessor can contain all the circuits required to perform arithmetic, logic, and control functions on one chip.

The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation provided the even smaller size of computers, with larger capacities. That’s not enough, then Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced LSI circuits. The Intel 4004chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the pc from the central processing unit and memory to input/ output controls on one chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce drastically.

Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed, and virtual memory made it a more user-friendly and customary device. The concept of private computers and computer networks came into being within the fourth generation.

Main characteristics of fourth generation computers are:

Examples of fourth generation    IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, Alter 8800, etc.

Fifth Generation Computers

The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to behave like humans. It is often seen in programs like voice recognition, area of medicines, and entertainment. Within the field of games playing also it’s shown remarkable performance where computers are capable of beating human competitors.

The speed is highest, size is that the smallest and area of use has remarkably increased within the fifth generation computers. Though not a hundred percent AI has been achieved to date but keeping in sight the present developments, it is often said that this dream also will become a reality very soon.

In order to summarize the features of varied generations of computers, it is often said that a big improvement has been seen as far because the speed and accuracy of functioning care, but if we mention the dimensions, it’s being small over the years. The value is additionally diminishing and reliability is in fact increasing.

Main characteristics of fifth generation computers are:

Example of fifth generation  :-        Desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.