Generation of Computers
Development is an ongoing process. Development of computers has been passed through various stages. Different technologies were used for various types of computers
at their development of various stages. According to their development stages and used technologies, computers are classified into following generations:
1. First Generation Computers (1945-1956)
These Computers ware very large in size. In these computers “ Vacuum Tubes ” were used to pass signals. Due to use of thousands of vacuum tubes electricity
consumption was very high and very high heat production.
Drawback: Large size, large heat production, large electricity consumption. Air conditioning needed to cool them.
2. Second Generation Computer (1956 - 1963)
In second generation Computer, vacuum tubes ware replaced by transistors.
Transistors are very small in size and reliable electronic component for the flow of signals relative to vacuum tubes. Many vacuum tubes were integrated
in a single transistor. Due to this these Computers were faster, smaller and reliable to 1st Generation Computer.
3. Third Generation Computer ( 1964 – 1971 )
IC ( Integrated circuits ) replaced the transistors in this generation.
Thousands of transistors, and registors were integrated in one silicon chip (IC). Result was development of very small size, faster speed and highly
reliable computers than previous generation.
4. Forth Generation Computer (1971 to continued)
In this generation of computers, ICs were developed with LSI (Large Scale Integration). Many ICs were
integrated in one LSI chip. As we know that development is an on going process LSI developed into VLSI (micro-processing chip). Due to this computers became very
powerful, faster and very small in size.
Fifth Generation Computers
These are future computers.