Rainbow

 

FIRST GENERATION (1946-1955)

The most popular computer of this generation was ENIAC. The full form of ENIAC is Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. John Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchley developed ENIAC at the University Pennsylvania. The main component that was used in this generation was vacuum tube; it was invented by American Physicist Lee Forest in 1906.

                The computer of this generation was very heavy and complicated. In this computer about 18000 vacuum tubes were used. Its weight was about 35 to 55 tons. First generation computer generated too much heat. Hence, it consumed a lot of electricity means it required as this time a town requires. Its size was very large and in keeping this computer we required high maintenance. In this generation the computer programming language was in binary digits 0 and 1, which have special meaning that can be understood by the computer. It was very difficult and complicated to write programs in machine language.  Only, a scientist can operate such computer.

Example of binary digit in mathematics:-

2	121	1
2	60	0
2	30	0
2	15	1
2	7	1
2	3	1
	1

=1111001 Ans.

SECOND GENERATION (1955-1965)

This generation of computers started from the year of 1955 up to the year of 1965. The major development that started the second generation was the invention of transistor. John Burden, Walter H. Brattain, and William B. Shockley invented transistor in 1946 in the Bell telephones laboratories. Vacuum tubes were completely replaced by transistors. One transistor was equal to 200 vacuum tubes. Now, it became something compact and it required less heat and power. In this generation of computers FORTRAN AND COBOL languages started using which were easier than machine language.

THIRD GENERATION (1965-1975)

The third generation of computers started from the year of 1965 up to the year of 1975. In this generation, we find that transistors started replacing and IC came in use. IC is also an electronic component, which full form is integrated circuit. Jack Kilby invented IC in the year of 1960.  The computer of third generation was relatively low cost and small size. In this generation of computer had the technique of multi programming and had efficient operating system. In this generation BASIC language was used which was very easy to learn. IC is made of Metal-oxide Semiconductor technology. IC made the computers of this generation 10,000 faster than the computers of first generation.

FOURTH GENERATION (1975-1985)

The computers of fourth generation started in the year of 1975 and existed up to 1985. Although, such computers are used even now, somewhere or the other. In the generation of these computers ICs were starting replacing and in the place of them microprocessors started coming in use. A microprocessor chip that is very small and contains an entire Central Processing Unit on a motherboard is very easy to fit and very fast in comparison of transistors and ICs. In this generation LSI (Large Scale Integration) and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) technologies started in use. The main features of these computers, which sizes were reduced, price came down and speed became very faster and faster than the computers of previous generations. Now, a common person could buy such computers and easily operated them. CPU is also known as the brain of computer. It works as our mind works for our body. The full form of CPU is Central Processing Unit.

FIFTH GENERATION (1985-Till Now)

The computers of this generation are based on artificial intelligence. These computers are the great boon for computer science. In this generation VLSI technology was replaced and ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) are in use. The sizes of these computers are much reduced and price is very less. Now, such computers are used on our laps and some of them are used on our palm. These computers are used for general and special purpose. Features of these computers are:-

It has tremendous speed, it has high storage capacity, very low in price, its size is very compact, on these computers we can easily surf the Internet etc.