FPD Lesson

Generations of computers

​First Generation of Computers

​​First generation computers:

The first generation of computers were first invented in 1940 using vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit)The input to the computer was used through paper tapes and punch card.The output was displayed as printouts. The instructions were written in 1’s and 0’s (Binary code) the computers were large and required a room to put it in.

Some computers of this generation were :

EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)

EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator)

UNIVAC (UNIVersal Automatic Computer)

Second Generation of Computers

​The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this generation, transistors were used that 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 the primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices.

​Some computers of this generation were:

IBM 1620

IBM 7094

CDC 1604

​Third Generation of Computers

 The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.

Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors. 

​Some computers of this Generation were:

​IBM-360 series

Honeywell-6000 series

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​Fourth Generation of Computers

The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the computer—from the central central processing and memory to input/output controls—on a single chip. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 "Apple" introduced the Macintosh.

Some computers of this generation were:

IBM 4341

​STAR 1000

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​Fifth Generation of Computers

The fifth generation of computers was an initiative by Japan's  Ministry of international Trade and Industry (MITI), begun in 1982, to create computers using massively parallel computing and logic programming. It was to be the result of a government/industry research project in Japan during the 1980s. It aimed to create an "epoch-making computer" with supercomputer-like performance and to provide a platform for future developments in artificial intelligence. The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components.

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Sixth Generation of Computers​

These computers are called intelligent computers based on artificial intelligence or artificial brains. In the automobile technology, robots are used for manufacturing, but the artificial intelligence is used in some cars which allow to breaking and wearing the vehicle if necessary. Intel Corporation introduced the 6th Generation Intel® Core™ processor family, the company's best processors ever.

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​Credits

​Editing done by: Angelo Bernard3B

​First Generation done by: Angelo Bernard 3B

​Second Generation done by: Isaiah Farray 3B

​Third Generation done by: Jadel Coker 3B

​Fourth Generation done by: Isaiah Farray 3B

​Fifth Generation done by: Devron Ramsaran 3B

​Sixth Generation done by: Azarell McKie 3B