Generations of computers refer to the classification of computers based on some change in technology that were used in the development of computers as the time evolved. These technology changes involved mostly electronic components which largely accounted for the size, the power and cost of computers.
- First Generation Computing(~1951-~1959)
The technology basis for the first-generation computers was the vacuum tube or valve. Computers using valves were very large and they contained kilometers of cables, used a lot of electric power and generated a lot of heat.
Because vacuum tubes were blown so easily, processing was unreliable.
Some examples of first generation computers
Atanasoff-Berry Computer(ABC)in 1939.
MARK 1-developed by Howard Aiken in 1944.
COLOSSUS invented by Alan Turing in 1943.
ENIAC-The Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator(ENIAC) that was developed by a team of U.S.scientists in 1946 headed by John Mauchy and J.Prespert Eckert..
1951:Universal Automatic
Computer(UNIVAC)is considered the first computer to be sold commercially. It was completed in 1951 by an Eckert and Mauchy joint-venture company. It costed about
FCFA 100,000,000
- Second Generation Computing(~1957-~1963)
The electronic basis of the second generation computers was the transistor after its invention in 1948 by a team led by Shockley. Transistors were much smaller, reliable, faster, more durable, and cheaper than vacuum tubes.
As a result, computers became smaller, faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient than their predecessors. The machine language of first generation computers was replaced by assembly language.
One of the first computers that used transistors instead of tubes was developed by IBM in 1958.
- Third Generation Computing(~1964-~1971)
The electronic basis of the third generation computers was the Integrated Circuit(I.C.).An integrated circuit allowed for many transistors and electronic circuits to be packed on a single component known as a silicon chip. This made computers increasingly smaller, faster, more reliable, more energy-efficient and cheaper.
- Fourth Generation Computing(~1971-~1980)
The fourth generation computers are based on Large-scale Integrated (LSI) and Very-large-scale Integrated (VLSl) circuits. These techniques squeezed thousands of transistors and other components (resistors, diodes) on a tiny chip.
Computers became even smaller, cheaper and much more reliable and their processing capabilities increased.
- Fifth Generation Computing(~1980-~1981)
Significant in fifth generation computing are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and membrane-based and Nano technologies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the science of making machines (computers) to Search in your community for 2, imitate human thinking and behaviour. Membrane-based technologies store and manipulate information within living tissue cells.
