Generation of Computer

Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and reliable devices.

The various generations of computers a listed below:

First Generation (1942 – 1955)

In this generation ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) was invented. It was made of millions of Vacuum Tubes and punched cards were used as storage. It weighted 27000 kg with 150 kw electricity consumption and 3000 square feet length. In this generation several other computers invented namely-

            EDVAC (Electronic Discrete variable Automatic computer)

            EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer)

            UNIVAC (Universal Computer)

Second Generation (1955 – 1964)

In this generation Transistors was invented. It replaced less reliable vacuum tubes. It consumed less electricity and less space. In this generation IBM 700 series came into the market. Some other computers- CDC 1604, Honeywell 400, UNIVAC LARC etc.

Third Generation (1964 – 1975)

In this generation Integrated Circuits (ICs) were invented. The first IC was made of 24 transistors. In this generation the size of computer decreased very much due to this device. In this generation IBM 300 series came into the market. Some other computers- PDP-8, PDP-11, CDC 6600 etc.

Fourth Generation (1975 – 1989)

In this year Microprocessor was invented. In microprocessors there are millions of transistors existed. Generally a microprocessor has 263000 transistors. It is termed as VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration). Intel, VIA, AMD, Motorola are the biggest companies who manufacture Microprocessors. In this generation IBM developed first Personal Computer. Some other computers- Apple-II, CRAY-I, CRAY-2 etc.

Fifth Generation (1989 – Present)

In this generation ICs with UVLSI (Ultra VLSI) technology came into existence it made the system faster and smoother without any kind of mistakes with very low cost. In this generation IBM Notebooks and Pentium PCs were developed. Some other computers- SGI Origin 2000, SUN workstations, PARAM 10000 etc.