Generations of Computer

Generations of Computer

Abstract:

This is a report on the generations of computer. Generation, the name itself it indicates there are special features and more advancement. This report will explain the five generations of computer. Moreover special features of those generations will be point out. In addition every advancement brought in by those generations will be given. Furthermore, there will be examples of computers in each generation.

Introduction:

When a Maldivian look to his environment, he could see the palm trees scattered here and there. No doubt, palm trees are so perfect to be the national tree. An amazing thing is shown by it. When a bud becomes to flower, later it change in to a "Gobolhi". Gobolhithe changes to a "Miri", and Miri takes some days to change for a "KurunbaI". Kurunbathen changes to a "Gabulhi" and then Gabulhichanges to a "Kaashi". Kaashi become a "kurolhi" later. Like this the technology is developing. In 1931 the first computer was introduces. Later many advancement and new innovations was introduces. Accordingly the computer was developed. Their developments are categorized to five generations.

1. Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)

This is the first generation of computer. According to Najmi (2004), this generation was from 1940 to 1956. This generation was named as "Vacuum Tubes". In this generation vacuum tubes were used for circuitry.

1.1 Features of first generation computer:.

* Used vacuum tubes as the electronic devise for the hardware implementation.

* Magnetic drums for memory.

* At early magnetic drums are used as a primary storage device, later implemented as auxiliary storage device.

* These computers are extremely large and poor reliability.

* Needed extensive air conditioning arrangements for its continuous operation.

* Power consumption is very high.

* Generates a lot of heats, which was often the cause of fail to function or misfunction.

* Depend on machine language to perform operations.

* Every CPU has its own unique machine language

* Could solve one problem at a time.

* Cycle time is in millisecond.

* Processing speed typically 2000 instruction per second.

* Main applications were in scientific calculations and record keeping.

1.2 Examples of first generation computers.

* UNIVAC , ENIVAC, EDSC, LEO, IBM 650computers

* ENIVAC contains 18,000 vacuum tubes, 1500 relays, 100000 capacitors, resistors and inductors resulting 30 tons of weight and 200 kilo watts of electric power consumption.

2. Transistors (1956-1963):

This was the Second generation of the computer. The generation begins in 1956 and ended in 1963. (Najmi, 2004) this generation was called Transistors. The era of miniaturization begins. Transistors are much smaller than vacuum tubes, draw less power, and generate less heat. Discrete transistors are soldered to circuit boards like the one shown, with intere connections accomplished by stencil-screened conductive patterns on the reverse side. (Anonymous, n.d)

2.1 Features of second generation:

* Transistors replaced vacuum tubes.

* Transistors were far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy effective, and more reliable than their first generation predecessors.

* Relied on punched cards for input and print outs for output.

* Magnetic tape and disks began to replace punched cards as external storage devices.

* Magnetic cores strung on wire within the computer became the primary internal storage.

* Moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic or assembly languages.

* High levels of programming languages were also being developed. Ex COBOL and FORTRAN

* Processing speed is 3 million instructions per sec.

* Cycle time is micro second.

2.2 Examples of second generation computers.

* IBM model 7030,7090 etc

* Univac 1107, univac iii

* -rca 501

* -philco transact s-2000

* -ncr 300 series

* -honeywell 800, 400 series

* -general electric ge 635, 645, ge 200

* -control data corp. Cdc 1604, 3600, 160a

* -larc

* -burroughs b5000, 200 series

3. Integrated Circuits (1964-1971):

The third generation begins with the invention of Integrated Circuits. Generation began in 1964 and ended in 1971. (Najmi, 2004) This generation brought major improvements to the computer technology.

3.1 Features of second generation:

* Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computer.

* Silicon is used