FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS

FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS

The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, the VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components. This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of making computers think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.

AI includes:

• Robotics
• Neural Networks
• Game Playing
• Development of expert systems to make decisions in real life situations.
• Natural language understanding and generation.
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The main features of fifth generation are:

• ULSI technology
• Development of true artificial intelligence
• Development of Natural language processing
• Advancement in Parallel Processing
• Advancement in Superconductor technology
• More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features
• Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheap

FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS

FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS

The period of fourth generation was 1971-1980. The computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements and their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have microcomputers of fourth generation. Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to personal computer (PC) revolution. In this generation time sharing, real time, networks, distributed operating system were used. All the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., were used in this generation.

The main features of fourth generation are:

• VLSI technology used
• Very cheap
• Portable and reliable
• Use of PC's
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No A.C. needed
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great developments in the fields of networks
• Computers became easily available

Some computers of this generation were:

• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super Computer)
• CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)

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THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS

THIRD GENERATION COMPUTER

The period of third generation was 1965-1971. The computers of third generation used integrated circuits (IC's) in place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors and capacitors along with the associated circuitry. The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient. In this generation remote processing, time-sharing, multi-programming operating system were used. High-level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.

The main features of third generation are:

• IC used
• More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
• Smaller size
• Generated less heat
• Faster
• Lesser maintenance
• Still costly
• A.C needed
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Supported high-level language

Some computers of this generation were:

• IBM-360 series
• Honeywell-6000 series
• PDP(Personal Data Processor)
• IBM-370/168
• TDC-316

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SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS

SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS

The period of second generation was 1959-1965. In this generation transistors were used that were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the first generation machines made of vacuum tubes. In this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. In this generation assembly language and high-level programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and multiprogramming operating system.


The main features of second generation are:

• Use of transistors
• Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
• Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
• Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers
• Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
• Faster than first generation computers
• Still very costly
• A.C. needed
• Supported machine and assembly languages

Some computers of this generation were:

• IBM 1620
• IBM 7094
• CDC 1604
• CDC 3600
• UNIVAC 1108

FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS

FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS

During the period of 1940 to 1956 first generation of computers were developed. The first generation computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. The vacuum tube was developed by Lee DeForest. A vacuum tube is a device generally used to amplify a signal by controlling the movement of electrons in an evacuated space. First generation computers were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.

CHARACTERISTICS
1) First generation computers were based on vacuum tubes.
2) The operating systems of the first generation computers were very slow.
3) They were very large in size.
4) Production of the heat was in large amount in first generation computers.
5) Machine language was used for programming.
6) First generation computers were unreliable.
7) They were difficult to program and use.

SCOPE OF COMPUTERS

SCOPE OF COMPUTERS

In the current world, it’s almost impossible to imagine that someone can live  without computers. Computers have become an electronic device of almost every day use for individuals of every age. They are essential in almost all the business dealings that are made nowadays. The most that any industry has gained from the discovery of the computers is the business industry because of its nature. Computers have gained significance as they have improved the efficiency and productivity of work done. Large amounts of information in industrial and business sectors as well as in the personal lives are stored on computers.

Computers can help businesses by making their staff efficient and productive and also save their valuable time in any business or office. Computers in schools will help the learners to comprehend the basic concepts better with the help of video or audio examples. Computers in higher learning institutions will help the professors and researchers to do their work very fast and in an efficient and better way and also help them to share the same knowledge with their other members of staff. Computers become a vital gadget in several sectors; railways, banking, electricity, telephone departments, shopping carts etc are just but a few of them. Computers are also used in the medical industry to help doctors in diagnosing the diseases quickly and efficiently. All the administrative systems, whether private or public are now using computers and this practice can be evident in every part of the world.

INVENTIONS

Inventors have undoubtedly been heroes for all of us. By burning the midnight oil, they have gifted humankind with revolutionizing technology. Whether it is a mobile phone or a radio, they have never been miser in endowing the society with life transforming inventions. One such empowering invention has been of Computer. Not one but there are many geniuses behind the development and growth of this phenomenal technology.

Wooden abacus laid basis for the computers long time back. By walking through annals of computer history, one can have a peek into rich legacy of 21^st century’s technology. Back from 3000 B.C. abacus, which was a simple calculating tool introduced in China, is known to be the foundation of today’s computers. But in essence this tool cannot be compared with the super computers of today. After abacus, came slide rule in year 1622 A.D introduced by William Oughtred. This was considered to be though provoking and conceptual element to the computer development.

 "Who invented the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention.

Computer History
Year/EnterComputer History
Inventors/Inventions Computer History
Description of Event
1936 Konrad Zuse - Z1 ComputerFirst freely programmable computer.
1942 John Atanasoff & Clifford Berry
ABC ComputerWho was first in the computing biz is not always as easy as ABC.
1944 Howard Aiken & Grace Hopper
Harvard Mark I ComputerThe Harvard Mark 1 computer.
1946 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly
ENIAC 1 Computer20,000 vacuum tubes later...
1948 Frederic Williams & Tom Kilburn
Manchester Baby Computer & The Williams TubeBaby and the Williams Tube turn on the memories.
1947/48 John Bardeen, Walter Brattain & Wiliam Shockley
The TransistorNo, a transistor is not a computer, but this invention greatly affected the history of computers.
1951 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly
UNIVAC ComputerFirst commercial computer & able to pick presidential winners.
1953 International Business Machines
IBM 701 EDPM ComputerIBM enters into 'The History of Computers'.
1954 John Backus & IBM 
FORTRAN Computer Programming LanguageThe first successful high level programming language.

1955
(In Use 1959)

Stanford Research Institute, Bank of America, and General Electric
ERMA and MICRThe first bank industry computer - also MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) for reading checks.
1958 Jack Kilby & Robert Noyce
The Integrated CircuitOtherwise known as 'The Chip'
1962 Steve Russell & MIT
Spacewar Computer GameThe first computer game invented.
1964 Douglas Engelbart
Computer Mouse & WindowsNicknamed the mouse because the tail came out the end.
1969 ARPAnetThe original Internet.
1970 Intel 1103 Computer MemoryThe world's first available dynamic RAM chip.
1971 Faggin, Hoff & Mazor
Intel 4004 Computer MicroprocessorThe first microprocessor.
1971 Alan Shugart &IBM
The "Floppy" DiskNicknamed the "Floppy" for its flexibility.
1973 Robert Metcalfe & Xerox
The Ethernet Computer NetworkingNetworking.
1974/75 Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair & IBM 5100 ComputersThe first consumer computers.
1976/77 Apple I, II & TRS-80 & Commodore Pet ComputersMore first consumer computers.
1978 Dan Bricklin & Bob Frankston
VisiCalc Spreadsheet SoftwareAny product that pays for itself in two weeks is a surefire winner.
1979 Seymour Rubenstein & Rob Barnaby
WordStar SoftwareWord Processors.
1981 IBM
The IBM PC - Home ComputerFrom an "Acorn" grows a personal computer revolution
1981 Microsoft
MS-DOS Computer Operating SystemFrom "Quick And Dirty" comes the operating system of the century.
1983 Apple Lisa ComputerThe first home computer with a GUI, graphical user interface.
1984 Apple Macintosh ComputerThe more affordable home computer with a GUI.
1985 Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft begins the friendly war with Apple.