GENERATIONS OF

THE COMPUTERS
1st Generation Computer
(Vacuum Tubes) 1940 to 1956

. First generation computers were build to solve

physical calculation or equations by using these
vacuum tubes.

. It only has low level language and is written

By the long strings 0s and 1s for computing.
. They didn’t support multitasking and the
machine language were cumber and quite
difficult to remember the machine language.

. The advantages are large scale calculations,

Improved Data storage and Reliability.

. The disadvantages are very large size, very

expensive, limited speed, limited memory and
heavy and bulky.
2nd generation computer
(Transistors) 1959-1965

. Transistor is a microchip that has 3 metal lines

to control the energy and stop changing
directions of the circuit.

. They replaced the vacuum tubes.

. The transistors made computers smaller and
they made the energy efficient or less energy but
transistors were subject or forcing to damage due
to these large amount of heat from the
computers.

. They used assembly language and low level

programming.

. The advantage is : it could perform a equation

or calculation in 500 msec.

. The disadvantages are Punch cards were used

for input and a cooling system was required

3rd generation computer

(Integrated Circuit) 1964 – 1971

. integrated circuits (IC) were widely used as the

main technology in third-generation computers.
In particular, the transistors were assembled on
silicon chips, called semiconductors, which
resulted in faster speeds in the computer and
improved efficiency.

. Advantages of third generation computer are

Integrated Circuits (IC) were used
Computers were more reliable than previous
generations
The size of computers reduced
Faster processing and less computational time
Less Electricity Consumption
Computers can support High-level Languages
Increased Storage Capacity of Computer
Increased Accuracy
Less Failure Rate of Hardware
Less prone to Programming Error
More Versatile
Less Maintenance required due to IC

4th generation computers

(Microprocessor) 1971-2010

 Use of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI)

Chips
 Good speed, accuracy, and reliability
 Inexpensive machines
 Use of high-level languages like C, C++,
DBASE

. The Disadvantages are The fourth generation’s

computer used microprocessors which are
complex in manufacturing.

The 5th generation computer

(Artificial Intelligence) 2010-Present

Fifth-generation computers were introduced after

the fourth-generation computers were invented.
Fifth-generation computers, also known as modern
computers, are still in the development stage and are
based on artificial intelligence. In 1982, Japan was
invented the FGCS (Fifth Generation Computer
System). Computers of this generation are based on
microelectronic technology with high computing
power and parallel processing .