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We use computers every day, from morning to night they are an integral part of our life. But not all of us are aware of how technology evolved to give us what we have today.
The invention of the computer goes back to the early 90s where they took up the entire room. But with time things changed with the laptop revolution, global networks, household computers, and artificial intelligence.
There are a total of five definable generations of the computer starting from 1940. They all have their own sets of features, advantages, and disadvantages.
With each passing generation, computer devices and their technology became cheaper, faster, affordable, and efficient. We will study each of them in detail to understand how they shaped the generation. They all are equally important to know the future will be shaped out and how it will impact society.
The current generation has just begun and how it will turn out is a mystery but knowing the history can help us predict. So let’s get to it and understand all five-generations of computer deeply –
First Generation of Computer– Vacuum Tubes
The first generation of computers started in 1940 and lasted till 1956. The main feature of this generation is the use of vacuum tubes in circuits and magnetic drums for memory. The vacuum tubes are also referred to as thermionic valve machines.
They were large and produced a large amount of heat. These computers used the most basic programming language to work, namely machine language. They followed binary-coded concepts. They were capable of solving a single problem at a time.
Punched cards and paper tape were used for inputs while the output came out on printouts. The notable inventions of this generation were UNIVAC and ENIAC machines. The US Census Bureau bought the first commercial computer in 1951 called UNIVAC. Some examples are – ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM-701, and IBM-650.
Advantages:
- Use of vacuum tubes as they were the only ones available.
- Took only milliseconds to calculate.
Disadvantages:
- Heavy and space taking weighing around 30 tons.
- Very expensive because of the technology.
- Stored very little information because of magnetic drums.
- Vacuum tubes need a large cooling system making it more complicated.
- Low efficiency and effectiveness.
- Limited programming capabilities.
- Consumed a lot of energy.
- Required constant maintenance.
Second Generation of Computer– Transistors
This generation began in 1956 and ended in 1963. The use of transistors instead of vacuum tubes embarked on the beginning of the second generation. Though the invention of transistors took place in 1947, the usage of them began in the late 50s.
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They were superior to vacuum tubes in terms of size, speed, cost, and electric use. They were faster, smaller, cheaper, and used less energy. The similarities were only the use of punched cards for input/printouts and a high level of heat production.
The language of the computers also changed from cryptic binary to symbolic language. These were the first computers to use magnetic core technology instead of magnetic drums. The atomic energy industry was the first one to use these machines. Some examples are – Honeywell 400, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, and UNIVAC 1108.
Advantages
- Reduced size of the electron component.
- Used less energy and did not produce much heat than the previous generation.
- Use of Assembly language for input.
- Lower in cost than first-generation.
- Data calculation in microseconds.
- More portable option.
Disadvantages
- Still, a cooling system was needed.
- Like the previous one, constant maintenance was mandatory.
- Was required only for specific purposes.
Third Generation of Computer – Integrated Circuits
This generation began in 1964 and ended in 1971. The highlight of this generation is semiconductors, transistors minimized and put on a silicon chip. The production of these computers followed an integrated technology circuit.
This in turn resulted in an increase in speed and efficiency massively. This was the first set to have keyboards and monitors for user interaction with an operating system. Now several applications could efficiently run on the same device using a central program monitored by memory.
The emergence of the 60s mass market was in this generation as the technology became smaller and cheaper. And obviously, these computers were better than the second generation in terms of cost, speed, heat and power use. Some examples are – PDP-8, PDP-11, ICL 2900, IBM 360, and IBM 370.
Advantages
- Lower in price compared to the previous generation.
- Very fast and reliable in terms of computation.
- Very small in size due to the use of the integrated circuits
- Improved performance of the computer as compared to previous ones.
- Larger storage capacity in the computer.
- Use of mouse and keyboard for input.
- Implementing the concept of time-sharing and multiple programming.
- Change in speed from microseconds to nanoseconds.
Disadvantages
- Very difficult to maintain because of IC chips.
- The use of highly sophisticated technology is needed for production.
- Air conditioning is needed.
Fourth Generation of Computer– Microprocessors
The generation of microprocessors began in 1972 and ended in 2010. This revolution of technology is solely attributed to Intel. The Intel 4004 chip invented in 1971 changed the complete scenario with CPU, memory, input/output controls positioned in one single chip.
Now what took a large space to install could fit in our palms. This chip had thousands of integrated circuits. This was the microprocessor technology. The invention of the first computer for household (IBM) took place in 1981 and Apple introduced Macintosh in 1984. They became available for a common man as well. And not just this, the technology evolution led to innovation in everyday products as well.
The rise in the use of small computers led to more number networks and thus the evolution of the internet. Some other notable advances during this generation were – Graphical user interface (GUI), the mouse, laptops, and handphones. Some examples are – IBM 4341, DEC 10, STAR 1000, and PUP 11.
Advantages:
- Higher speed computation and smaller size
- Very low amount of heat generation.
- More compact compared to the previous generation
- Requires less maintenance.
- All types of high-level language can be understood.
Disadvantages:
- Complex Microprocessor design and fabrication.
- Air conditioning is mandatory due to integrated circuits.
- Advanced technology makes it costlier.
Fifth Generation of Computer– Artificial Intelligence
The generation that we are living in is the fifth generation of artificial intelligence. This generation is not limited to only hardware but includes software as well. Though computers with inbuilt artificial intelligence are still under development process but many advances like voice recognition are already in the market.
The technology behind the AI is the parallel use of processors and superconductors. In the near future, computers will change by quantum computation, molecular, and nanotechnology.
The idea is to create something that responds to natural language, learns, and organizes itself. These have high memory, capability, efficiency, and processing. This generation has a long way to go and this is just the beginning. Some examples are – Desktop, Laptop, NoteBook, UltraBook, and Chromebook.
Advantages:
- More accurate, reliable, and faster.
- Availability in different sizes with unique features.
- A more user-friendly interface with easy-to-use features.
Disadvantages:
- Need very low-level languages.
- May lead to the dull human brain over time.
Conclusion
Basic computer aptitude is very important for bank and railway exams. This is one important topic of computer aptitude in the mains paper of these exams. This is also important from the perspective of other competitive exams that take place. It is a beginner-level topic to understand the history of computers.
Bank exam aspirants must go through this article to score better in the exams. The same applies to RRB applicants. Previous year question papers will have questions from this topic making it important. Make sure that you read it before exams.