CHAPTER 5
Generation of Computers
Class-4, 5,6 and 7, Nepal
Lesson Overview
We are now in the age of
Science and Technology. In this age, everything is being developed and many new
things are being invented. Likewise, computer is also being developed and being
advanced everyday with new functions. This continuous developing process of
computer from time to time is known as generation of computer.
There are generally five
generations of computer till now. The names of the five generations of computer
are given below:-
I.
First (1st)
Generation of Computer (1946 AD-1959 AD)
II.
Second (2nd)
Generation of Computer (1959 AD-1965 AD)
III.
Third (3rd)
Generation of Computer (1965 AD-1971 AD)
IV.
Fourth (4th)
Generation of Computer (1974 AD-1981 AD)
V.
Fifth (5th)
Generation of Computer (1981 AD-forward)
First Generation of Computer
In first generation of computers,
Vacuum Tube as CPU, magnetic drum for data storage and machine language were
used for giving instruction. The computers of this generation were large in
sizes. The programming of this generation computers were done in machine
language (0s and 1s). After some period of time, assembly languages were
developed and were used in first generation computer. ENIAC, EDVAC, etc. are
the examples of first generation of computer.
Some features of this
generation of computer are given below:-
Ø Technology used – Vacuum Tube.
Ø Punch card, printing devices, etc. was for data
input/output operation and to store the result.
Ø It occupied very large space, slow processing,
inefficient and unreliable due to low accuracy.
Ø Power consumption was very high.
Ø It got heated fast while using it.
Second Generation of Computer
These generation of computers
replaced machine languages with
assembly languages, allowing abbreviated programming codes to replace long
difficult binary codes. This generation of computers used transistor as their
main component. The transistor was more reliable compared to vacuum tube.
IBM-1620, IBM-7094, UNIVAC-1108 etc. are the examples of second generation of
computer.
Some features of this
generation of computer are given below:-
Ø Technology used – Transistor.
Ø Reliable in comparison to first generation.
Ø Consume less electricity than first generation of
computer.
Ø Generated less than first generation of computers.
Ø Supported both assembly and machine language.
Third Generation of Computer
In third generation of computer, IC
(Integrated Circuit) was used as its main component. IC was first designed and
invented by Jack S. Kilby at Texas instrument and by Robert S. Noyce at Fairchild
Independently. IC(s) were highly reliable, relatively expensive and faster.
High-Level programming languages continued to be a developer. IBM-360 series,
ICL-900 series etc. are some examples of third generation of computer.
Some features of this generation
of computer are given below:-
Ø Technology used – Integrated Circuit.
Ø Multi programming facility was developed.
Ø High-Level languages like FORTAN, BASIC, etc. were
used to develop program.
Ø Monitor and Keyboard were developed for data
input/output.
Ø Size, cost, power consumption and heat generation
decreased.
Fourth Generation of Computer
The invention of
microprocessor chip marked the beginning of the fourth generation of computer.
Semi-conductors memories replaced magnetic core memories. The invention of
microprocessor led to the development of microcomputer or personal computer. LSIC
(Large scale Integration)/ VLSIC (Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit) was used
as its main computer. STAR-1000, CRAY-X-MP, PDP-11 etc. are some examples of
fourth generation of computer.
Some features of fourth
generation of computer are given below:-
Ø Technology used - Microprocessor.
Ø Very small in size.
Ø Generated very less heat.
Ø Reliable and very powerful.
Ø It can very large amount of data and information.
Fifth Generation of Computer
This generation is based on parallel
processing and used AI (Artificial Intelligence)/ULSIC (Ultra Large Scale
Integrated Circuit) as its main component. This generation is based on AI/ULSIC
(Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuit) as its main component. AI is a
technology and a branch of computer science that studies and develops intelligent
machines and software. It can think like humans and speak too. High-Level
language likes C, C++, Java, Net etc. are used in this generation. Desktop, laptop,
I-Pad, note-pad are some examples of this generation of computer.
Some features of fifth generation of computer
are given below:-
Ø Technology used – AI/ULSIC.
Ø Development of natural language processing.
Ø Advancement in parallel process
Ø Availability of very powerful and compact computer
at cheap cost.
Ø Advancement in super conductor technology.
1.
Fill in the blanks:-
a.
The technology
used in first generation computer is ________.
b.
The continuous
developing process of computer is known as ________
c.
_____________.
d.
The full form
of ULSIC is ________________________.
e.
STAR-1000 is an
example of ________generation of computer.
2.
Write the full form of:-
IT, IC,
AI, ULSIC, VLSIC, LSIC
3.
Answer
these questions:-
a.
What is first
generation of computer? Write its example.
b.
What was the
technology used in second generation of computer?
c.
Write any four
features of third generation of computer.
d.
Write three
differences between fifth and fourth generation of computers.
e.
What is AI?
f.
Which
generation of computer is used in your school lab? Write its function to prove
it.
4.
Write short note on:-
a)
Fourth Generation of Computer
b) Fifth Generation of Computer
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