ASSIGNMENT NAME: Different Generations of Operating Systems

COURSE CODE: ITEC122

COURSE TITLE: Introduction To Operating Systems

CRN: 19344

SEMESTER: 202310

NAME & ID: Ariel Jones - 00075521

DUE DATE:

LECTURER: Dexter Absalom

An operating system (OS) is a software that, after being loaded into a computer by a boot programme,

processes all other application programmes in that machine. Using an established application programme

interface (API), the application programmes communicate with the operating system. Using a user

interface (UI), such as a command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI), users can also

interact with the operating system directly.

Operating systems have changed over time. As a result, their evolution over time may be recorded using

operating system generations. When significant developments in computer technology, like the adoption

of vacuum tubes, transistors, and the microprocessor, took place, that's when operating system

generations were created.

 First Generation

(1940-1956)

The initial generation of computers relied heavily on vacuum tubes as a key element of technology. From

1940 until 1956, vacuum tubes were widely utilised in computers. Because vacuum tubes were larger

components, first-generation computers were quite huge, taking up a lot of space in a room. Some of the

early computers utilised a whole room.

It takes input using a machine language known as 1GL, or first-generation language. The first-generation

computer also enters input, stores output, and retrieves data via punch cards, magnetic tape, and paper

tape.

A great example of a first-generation computer is the ENIAC. It contained 70,000 resistors, 10,000

capacitors, and nearly 20,000 vacuum tubes. It weighed more than thirty tons and took up a lot of area,

necessitating the utilisation of a spacious room to hold it. Other first-generation computer examples

include the EDSAC, IBM 701, and Manchester Mark 1.

 Second Generation

(1956-1963)

The transistor replaces vacuum tubes in the Second-Generation Computer. The transistor was created and

introduced in Bell Labs in 1947, but it was not used in computers until the 1950s. From 1956 through

1963, transistors were commonly implemented in computers. Due to the fact that transistors were more

compact than vacuum tubes, computers could be built more quickly, inexpensively, and in smaller sizes.

It surpasses the first generation of computers in durability, speed, affordability, and size. It employs high-

level computer languages as input, such as COBOL, FORTRAN, and etc.

Storage capacity and computer user usage increased in this generation of computer systems. The TX-0,

which was revealed in 1956, was the first computer to employ transistors. The IBM 7070, Philco Transac

S-1000, and RCA 501 are other transistor-based computers.

 Third Generation

(1964-1971)

Transistors take the place of vacuum tubes in the second generation of computers. However, the transistor

generates a lot of heat, which damages delicate elements in computers. To overcome this limitation, the

Third Generation Computer was introduced in 1965. These computers, in contrast, differ from the first

and second generations of computers in that they utilise the IC (Integrated Circuit). The computer is made

of an integrated circuit (IC), which is a small circuit made up of a huge number of transistors and

resistors. Using integrated circuits in computers allowed computers to be much smaller and quicker than

second-generation computers.

Since the mid to late 1960s, almost all computers have used integrated circuits. While many people

consider the third generation to have run from 1964 to 1971, integrated circuits (ICs) are still employed in

computers today. Today's computers have deep roots dating back to the third generation, more than 45

years.

Furthermore, third-generation computers use COBOL, FORTRAN-II to FORTRAN-IV, PASCAL,

ALGOL-68, and BASIC as input. It can execute complex processes and produce precise results by

employing these languages. The IBM-360 series, PDP (Personal Data Processor), Honeywell-6000 series,

and IBM-370/168 are examples of computers from the third generation.

 Fourth Generation

(1971-2010)

VLSI (Very Large-Scale Technology), sometimes known as microprocessors, is included in the Fourth

Generation of Computers. VLSI circuits have five hundred transistors on a single chip and conduct high-

level operations and computations. This generation made use of the microprocessor, also known as a

CPU. Microprocessors with integrated circuits aided in the compacting of computers and the creation of

the laptop computer.

These computers require a limited amount of power to function. This computer generation enables users

to use the computer for word processing, spreadsheets, file management, and graphics. To conduct

accurate procedures, computer languages such as C, C++, and DBase are utilised in this generation. In the

fourth generation, the concept of networking and CD-ROM emerged.

The Altair 8800, IBM 5100, and Micral were among the first computers to incorporate a microprocessor.

Even though the fourth generation was thought to have ended in 2010, some of today's computers still

feature a microprocessor.
 Fifth Generation

(2010-Present)

We now use computers of the Fifth Generation. These computers differ from the preceding four

generations in that the Ultra Large Scale Integration technology was developed, resulting in the creation

of a microprocessor chip with millions of chips on it.

During this era, it introduced laptops, notebooks, PCs, desktops, and many other devices. Furthermore,

these computers use Artificial Intelligence. Well, fifth-generation computers execute parallel processing,

yielding quick results. New languages, such as object-oriented languages like C++ and JAVA, are being

introduced in this generation of computers. New operating systems are being created. Microsoft

Windows, Linux, and Linux-based components are being developed.

Apple's Siri on the iPhone and Microsoft's Cortana on Windows 8 and Windows 10 desktops are two

well-known instances of AI in computers. Google's search engine also utilises AI to process user queries.
 Sixth Generation

(Future Generations)

AI (Artificial Intelligence), an intriguing technology with many potential applications around the world, is

currently being used in the fifth generation of computers. AI technology and computers have advanced

significantly, yet there is still fantastic opportunity for development.

 The quantum computer is one conceivable candidate for a future sixth generation. However, until

quantum computing is better developed and extensively used, it remains a promising idea.

Some people believe that nanotechnology is part of the sixth generation. Nanotechnology, like quantum

computing, is still in its infancy and requires further development before becoming widely employed.
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