Jhupit Lenin P.

Ganihay
BSSW- 2
Summary on First-Generation Computers

The first generation of computers has been considered to begin from 1940 to 1959. In
this period, computers were developed using vacuum tubes as its main component. A
vacuum tube is a device invented by Lee de Forest that assists in amplifying signals by
controlling the motion of electrons in an evacuated space. These vacuum tubes helped
provide circuitry for the central processing unit of the computer. The first-generation
computers also use magnetic drums for its main memory. These computers were very
huge, taking up entire rooms. They were also very expensive to operate and uses a
great deal of electricity and produce a lot of heat. The first-generation computers relied
on machine language to perform operations. It is the lowest level of programming
language understood by computers. They could solve one problem at a time. Inputs
were based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.
Some computers of this generation were the ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM-701, and
IBM-750.