GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Introduction

The various computing devices invented to solve different types of problems are classified into generations

The technological development in the field of computers refers to the improvement in hardware and software technology

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Computer Generation

Vacuum tubes: 1940-1956 Transistors: 1956-1963 Integrated circuits: 1964-1975 Very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits: 1975-1989

Modern Digital Computer: 1989- present

Anitha Padmanaban ACET

First Generation

Used vacuum tube technology for calculation Can be used as storage and control device Vacuum tube is made up of glass and contains

filaments inside it

The filaments when heated generate electronics that

help in the amplification and de amplification of

electronic signals
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

First Generation

Also known as Vacuum tubes or thermo ionic valves based machines

Language used: Machine Language (0s and 1s)

Input: Punched Cards

Output: Printout

Examples

ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC and UNIVAC

Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Vacuum Tube Technology

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

First Generation

Advantage

Fastest computing device Able to execute complex mathematical problems

Disadvantage

All the functions depend on machine language (0s & 1s), hence programming is not easy

Designed as a special purpose computers, hence not

flexible in running different types of application
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

First Generation

Disadvantage
Very Not

bulky and large

easy to install

Not

easy to transfer from one place to another

more heat, thus should be kept in a cool place

Produce

Executes Not

only one program (Single tasking)

reliable and require proper maintenance

ACET

Anitha Padmanaban

Second Generation

Uses transistors instead of vacuum tubes Transistor was invented by Shockley, Brattain and Barden in 1947

A transistor is a semiconductor device that is used to increase the power of the incoming signals by preserving the shape of the original signal

It has three connections,

Emitter (E), Base (B), Collector (C)

Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Second Generation

Base is the gate through which the signal needed to be amplified is sent

The signal sent through the base is a small flow of electrons Also act as the input gate for transistor

Collector is used to collect the amplified signal Emitter acts as a output gate for emitting the amplified

signal to external environment

Example: PDP-8, IBM 1401, IBM 7090

Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Second Generation

Language: Assembly language Assembly Language is a

low

level language simple English words called mnemonics

Uses

Input: Punched Cards Output: Printout

Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Transistors

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Second Generation

Advantage of transistor over vacuum tubes

Improve

the performance of computer A superior technology Smaller Faster Cheaper Generate less heat More reliable More productive
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Second Generation

Advantage

Printers, secondary storage, operating system were developed in this era

Could be transferred from one place to another

Requires less power More reliable Do not require more maintenance at regular intervals
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Second Generation

Disadvantage
Input

and output was not improved requires AC

Always Costly

Executes

only specific functions

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Third Generation

Uses Integrated Circuits (ICs) technology Also known as microelectronics technology Developed by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce in 1958

The various components of ICs are

Transistors

Capacitors
Resistors
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Integrated Circuit

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

IC Chip

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Third Generation

Advantage

Low cost Very high performance Requires very low power Smaller Faster

More efficient
More reliable
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Third Generation

Advantage
Easily Uses

transportable

high level language

written in one language can be executed in some

Programs

other computer
Executes Less

any type of functions

maintenance
ACET

Anitha Padmanaban

Third Generation

Disadvantage
Very

small storage capacity handle complex computations

Cannot Costly Always

to be placed in AC

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Fourth Generation

Uses Large Scale Integration (LST) and Very Large Scale

Integration (VLSI) technology

Also uses IC technology to build basic circuits LSI

Allows 1000s of transistors to be fitted in one silicon chip

VLSI

Allows 100s of 1000s of transistors to be fitted in one silicon chip

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Fourth Generation

LSI and VLSI led to the development of microprocessor Example: Intel P4004 developed in 1971 A microprocessor incorporates various components of a computer like

CPU Memory

Input
Output units on to a single chip
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

VLSI Design

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Personal Computer

Can be used by an individual Smaller in size Less cost Used for personal work Uses static and dynamic RAM

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Fourth Generation

Advantage

New operating system Graphical User Interface (GUI) LAN Very powerful Highly optimized and reliable

User friendly
Requires less power to operate
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Fourth Generation

Problems
Soldering Works

of LSI and VLSI is complex

on instructions given by user

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Fifth Generation

Modern digital computer Based on Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) ULSI allows 10 million electronic components to be

fabricated on one small chip

Increased speed and power Primary and secondary storage devices Cheaper and more efficient
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

Fifth Generation

Invented portable computers like

Laptop, pocket computers, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), etc

Parallel processors
Centralized computer like servers Optical disk technology Internet and its different services
Anitha Padmanaban ACET

ULSI

Anitha Padmanaban

ACET

Fifth Generation

Advantage

Faster and powerful computer Can execute large number of applications at same time

Decreased in size
Very comfortable to use

Disadvantage

Works under user instructions

Anitha Padmanaban ACET