Computer Generations

                    Computer  Generations

When introduced first early in 1940’s, computers were very capacious electronic devices that needed bunches of people to handle and operate them. But with the passing of time and evolution of technology, computers of today are very astounding and have gone through a complete overhauling. Computers of now are so tiny that they can fit on your desk, on your lap, or even in your pocket and they are now thousands of times more expeditious. However, there are six apparent generations of computers which are explained below. Every generation of computer is well-defined by a paramount technological development which changes necessarily how computers operate leading to more compressed, inexpensive, but more dynamic, effective and booming machines.

1) First Generation (1940-1956):

•  The first generation computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.
•  The size of first generation computers were very huge taking up the space of almost an entire room.
•  They were very costly to operate and in addition used a large amount of electricity and used to produce lots of heat, which was often the cause of malfunction. 
• These first generation computers relied on ‘machine language’ (which is the most fundamental programming language that can be understood by computers).
•  These computers were used to solve only single problem at a time and it was very difficult to trace and correct the programming error, if any.
•  The examples of first generation computers are Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) and Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC).

2) Second Generation (1956-1963): 

• The second generation of computers was based on the transistors which substituted the vacuum tubes. 
• The transistor was superior to the vacuum tubes in the sense it made computers smaller, faster, cheaper and more energy efficient. 
• It didn’t require a complete room anymore. However, even though it was an improvement over the vacuum tubes to the transistor still generated a great deal of heat which sometimes subjected the computer to damage its internal sensitive parts.
•  This generation of computers used assembly language for programming. In this period, higher level programming language like Common Business-oriented Language (COBOL), Formula Translation (FORTRAN), and Algorithmic Language (ALGOL), Python, were developed.

3) Third Generation (1964-1971):

•  Third generation of computers brought a significant change in the way of computing.
• This generation of computers was based on the use of integrated circuits, which drastically increased speed and efficiency of computers. 
• As a result, computer became smaller in size as more components were squeezed onto the single chip. 
• These were the first computers where users interacted using keyboards and monitors which are interfaced with an Operating System (OS), a consequential leap up from the punch cards and printouts. 
• This facilitates these machines to run various applications at once utilizing a central program which functioned to monitor memory. Examples of this generation of computers are IBM-360 and CDC-6400.

4) Fourth Generation (1972-2010): 

• The fourth generation of computers was based on the use of microprocessors, a single silicon chip on which thousands of integrated circuits were built. 
• The use of microprocessors considerably reduced the size of computers now they can even be fit in the palm of hand. 
• The personal computers and laptop all made use of microprocessors.
•  For the first time in 1981, IBM introduced computers for the home users and in 1984, Macintosh was introduced by Apple. 
• Fourth generation computers could be link together to form a network which eventually led to the expansion, birth and rapid evolution of the Internet. 
• Other primary advances during this period have been the Graphical User Interface (GUI), the mouse and advances in laptop capability etc.

5) Fifth Generation (2010 -2020):

• The fifth generation of computers began with major innovations in computer architecture like- parallel processing, intelligent programming, application of artificial intelligence, knowledge-based system etc. 
• The essence of fifth generation is to utilize these technologies to ultimately engender machines which can proceed and acknowledge natural language, and have efficiency to determine and organize them. 
• Movies like Terminator series (1, 2 and 3) and robots are based on the concept of fifth generation computers. 
• Fifth generation based robots have been developed which are enormously being used in medical science and research.

6) Sixth Generation (2020 onwards):

•  The sixth generation of computers is based on the nanotechnology. 
• This generation of computers can be defined as the era of intelligent computer, based on artificial neural networks or “artificial brains”. 
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) or artificial brains is a concept in programming which enables the devices to think and take actions on their own.
•  These computers have the ability to learn via a variety of advanced algorithms. The generation also introduced voice recognition, which enables the computers to take dictations and recognize words.
•  The use of nanotechnology is a characteristic of sixth generation computers.