Generation of Computer (Computer Fundamental)

Computer Generation is the classification of computers into different group according to their manufacturing data, memory device, other hardware and software technology used inside those computers.

Factors affecting by Generations:
F Reduction in size
F Reduction in power consumption
F Reduction in heat generation
F Reduce in cost
F Increase in Speed/Performance
F Increase in storage capacity
F Increase in operating time
F Increase in application

Generation of computer is a step in advancing technology. The generation of computer is classified in five groups.

1. First generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes:
F Processing element is vacuum tubes/valves
F Processing speed is millisecond.
F Punch card used in input device.
F It is electro mechanical computer.
F Vacuum tubes are used as memory.
F Punch card is used as storage device.
F It is not fully reliable and accurate.
F Machine level programming language is used.
F It is very large and expensive.
F It consumed a lot of power and emitted a lot of heat.
F Example: mark I, ENIAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC I, IBM model 604, 650, 701, 702 etc.

2. Second generation (1956-1963) Transistor:
F Processing element is transistor.
F Processing speed is microsecond.
F Punch card used in input device.
F It is electro mechanical computer.
F Magnetic care is used as memory.
F Magnetic drum, magnetic tape is used as storage device.
F It is reliable and accurate then first.
F Assembly level programming language is used.
F It is smaller in size & less expensive.
F Less consumption & less emission then first.
F Example:  UNIVAC 1107, IBM-1400series, IBM 1401,IBM-1600 series & IBM-7000 series, CDC-3600, Burroughs B5000, Haney well 800 etc.

3. Third generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuit:
F Processing element is Integrated Circuit(IC).
F Processing speed is nanosecond.
F Keyboard used in input device.
F It is electronic computer.
F Semiconductors are used as memory.
F Magnetic disk is used as storage device.
F  Printer is used for Output
F It is fully reliable and accurate.
F High level programming language is used.
F Large Scale Integration (LSI) and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) ware also developed.  
F 10 million circuits per square foot.
F It consumed less then second.
F Example: UNIVAC 9000 series, IBM 360 series, ICL 190, Burroughs 6700, CDC 3300, 6600, 7600  etc.

4. Forth generation (1971-Present) Microprocessor:
F Processing element is microprocessor.
F Processing speed is picoseconds.
F Keyboard, mouse, scanner used in input device.
F  Printer is used for Output
F Semiconductors are used as memory.
F Magnetic and optical is used as storage device.
F It is electronic computer.
F It is fully reliable and accurate.
F High level and 4th GL programming language is used.
F Billions of Circuits per cubic foot.
F Less than previous generation.
F Example: IBM 1370, IBM System 3090, IBM 6000, HP-9000,AMD, Athelon,  Pentium IV and so on.

5. Fifth generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence:
Up to the fourth generation we saw how computers evolved as the switching devices improved. Fifth generation computers are future computers.
                                                  In 1982 Japan started a project named Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project (FGCS) initiated to create a “fifth generation computer” which was supposed to perform much calculation using massive parallel processing. It is said that that the computer of this generation will use AI and Bio-chips as memory device so that they can think and decide like human being.
Feature:
F This will have power of sense, logic and decision making capacity.
F They will be capable of fully parallel processing.
F Computer will use super conductor memory like Bio-chips that the speed was very fast.
F The computer will be intelligent and knowledge base because of AI.
F Natural language like English, Nepali, and Hindi etc will be used for giving instruction and masking computer.
F They will be larger scale data processing on the basis of knowledge processing.

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