Generation refers to the state of improvement in the development of a product. This term is also used in the different advancements aap Computer technology. With each new generation, the circuitry has gotten smaller and more advanced then the previous generation before it. Asha result of the miniaturisation, speed power and memory of computers has proportionally increased. New discoveries are constantly being developed that affect the way we live, work and play.
Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technology changed the way computers operate, resulting in increase signally smaller cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and renewable devices read about each generation and the developments that led to the current devices that be used today.
There are five generations of computers :
1. 1st Generation of Computer (1946 -54):
These computers used vacuum tubes were used about 18,000 tubes were used in one system the speed of these system was very slow and size was very big did systems were unreliable and produced lot of heat so air conditioner was required.
Example : ENIAC, EDSAC,EDVAC, etc.
2. 2nd Generation of Computer (1954 -64) :
In these computers transistors were used the transistors were replaced with vacuum tubes the speed was high and side was reduced as compare to first generation computers air conditioner was still required.
Example : PDP-1, NCR - 304 etc.
3. 3rd Generation Computer (1964 - 80 ) :
In these computers IC chip ( integrated circuit) was used the speed of the system was higher and size was smaller as compare to first and second generations of computers the systems were ore reliable also the programming language were used in this generation e.g.Passcal, COBOL, Fortran.
Example: IBM 360, PDP-8, PDP -11 , CRAY-1 , VAX etc.
4. 4th Generation Computers (1980's) :
In this computers VLSI very large scale integration and ULSI ultra large scale integration is used the speed of these system is very high the size of the system is smallest as compared to above three generations their systems are more reliable.
Example: IBM - PC, IBM - PC / CRAY -2 , Pentium etc.
5. 5th Generation Computers (1990's) :
Did systems used artificial intelligence (AI) the processing speed of the system is extremely hi the main aim of this generation of computer is to make computer intelligent like human being.
Example: robots are the examples of 5th generation computers.
