First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation

1940s-1950s 1950s-1960s 1960s-1970s 1970s present and
the future

main vacuum transistors integrated large scale Ultra-Large

electronic circuits ICs integration Scale
tubes (VLSI). Integration
component
(ULSI).
Artificial
Intelligence
main magnetic magnetic tape magnetic disk RAM, ROM, RAM, ROM,
memory tapes and or disk and or take and a
magnetic magnetic core large magnetic
storing
drums. core

programming machine assembly High-level High-level natural human

language language language languages languages language
such as such as C#,
BASIC, JAVA, Python,
COBOL JavaScript
sizes very large smaller smaller smaller smaller

speed very slow High High High High

input/output devices were magnetic tape keyboards, monitor, keyboards,

devices paper tape and and punched magnetic tape mouse, monitors,
punched cards cards monitor, keyboard, touchscreen
printer printer pens, printers

Examples UNIVAC1, IBM 1401 IBM 370, STAR 1000, laptops,

ENIAC, IBM 7094 IBM 360, APPLE II, desktops,
IBM 701 IBM 7090 UNIVAC IBM PC tablets,
smartphones