Generations of Computer With Advantages and Disadvantages

Table of Contents

Toggle

When we study the history of the computer, it is concluded that based on the characteristics of various computers developed from time to time, they are categories into five generations of computers. Let’s start to learn.

Five Generations of Computer

First Generation Computers (1942 – 1955): Vacuum Tube Technology was used.
Second Generation Computer (1956 – 1964): Transistor was used.
Third Generation Computers (1965 – 1975): Semi-Conductor technology was used.
Fourth Generation Computers (1975 – Present): Using Microprocessor Technology.
Fifth Generation Computers (Present – Beyond): Based on Artificial Intelligence.

A complete description of five generations of computers is as follows:

First Generation Computers (1942 – 1955)

The beginning of the commercial computer age is from the invention of UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer). It was designed and developed by the Census Department of the United State and invented by two scientists MAUCHLY AND ECKERT in 1947.

Vacuum Tubes

The first-generation computer was designed during 1942 – 1955. They were constructed by using Vacuum Tube, which was a glass (tube), capable to manage and amplifying electronic signals.

Advantages:

The first electronic component that was accessible during those days were Vacuum tubes
It is because of Vacuum tube technology that made it possible to develop an electronic digital computer
The calculation capabilities of these computers were in milliseconds

Disadvantages:

These computers were large in size
A large amount of energy was consumed
Due to a large number of vacuum tubes, these computers heated very soon
Not reliable or trustworthy
Air conditioning was required
Maintenance was required consistently
These computers were not portable
Their commercial production was very costly
Limited commercial use
Quite slow in speed
Limited programming capabilities
Cannot support languages other than machine language
Magnetic drums used to store data that provide less facility of data storage
Punch cards were used for input
Not versatile
Very faulty

Second Generation Computer (1956 – 1964)

In 1948, three scientists developed a transistor in Bell Laboratories. These scientists include J. Bardeen, H.W. Brattain, and W. Shockley. A transistor is a small device that transfers electronic signals across a resistor. The transistor was used in a computer by 1956 in second-generation computers.

Advantages:

Smaller in size as compared to the first generation of computers
More reliable
More energy efficient
Were not heated because of less energy
Wider commercial use
Better portability
Manipulate data in microseconds
Supports faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks, and line printers,s, etc.
Assembly language is used instead of Machine language
Accuracy improved

Disadvantages:

Air conditioning was required
Constant maintenance was required
Commercial production was difficult
Also only used for specific purposes
Very costly
Not versatile
Punch cards were used for input

Third Generation Computers (1965 – 1975)

The integrated circuit (IC) was developed by Jack Kilby in 1958. On a small silicon disc, joint three electronic components. Scientists, later on, made it possible to fit even more components on a single chip. This chip was called a semiconductor. The invention of semiconductors made computers become ever smaller as a result. The operating system was also produced at that time.

Advantages:

Size is reduced as compared to the previous generation
More reliable
Less energy used
Production of heat is reduced
More good speed, manipulate data in nanoseconds
For the purpose to discharge heat and to prevent from damaging, fans were used
Because of the low hardware failure rate, maintenance costs became reduced
Totally general purpose
Could be used for high-level languages
Good storage
Versatile to an extent
Less expensive
Better accuracy
Commercial production increased
Used Mouse, Keyboard for input

Disadvantages:

Air conditioning was required
The high complicated technology necessary for the manufacturing of IC chips

Fourth Generation Computers (1975 – Present)

In this generation, microprocessors were used. The microprocessor is a small chip that holds thousands of ICs on it. It really reduced the size of the computer.

Advantages:

Very small in size
Less power consumption
Less heat generated
Large fan for heat discharging and thus to keep cold
No air conditioning is required
Best speed to read instructions i.e one billion per second
Reliable and powerful
Totally general purpose
Commercial production
Less need for repairing
Cheapest among all generations
All types of high-level languages can be used in this type of computers

Disadvantages:

The high complicated technology necessary for the manufacturing of microprocessors

Fifth Generation Computers (Present – Beyond)

Scientists are now working on the 5^th generation computers using current and modern engineering advances. Computers can recognize spoken word instructions and reproduce human reasoning. The fifth-generation computers also moderately make it possible to have the ability to translate a foreign language. Japan’s work is considered important in this direction, which has chosen PROLOG (Programming in logic) language as its operating system.

Scientists are working to increase the speed of the computer. They are trying to make it possible to build a computer with real IQ with the help of highly developed programming and technologies.