First Generation of Computers (1951-1958)

The first generation of computers was marked by the use of vacuum tubes for the electronic components and by the use of either electrostatic tubes (cathode ray tubes) or mercury delay lines for storage. These computers were very expensive. They were quite large and required special housing. The medium of internal storage was magnetic drum. Examples of First Generation computers are EDSAC(Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator), EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) etc.
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 Second Generation Computers (1959-1964)

The second generation saw the introduction of printed circuits and the replacement of valves by transistors. In comparison with the previous generation they were smaller in size and generated less heat. Internal storage capacity was increased and processor speeds started to be measured in microseconds (millionths) rather than milliseconds (thousandths) Magnetic core storage was used rather than magnetic drum. Machines started to evolve as series rather than standalone processors.
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 Second Generation Computers (Contd.)

During this period many punch card machines became popular. The hardware consisted of
Key punch Verifier Calculator punch Tabulator (it was essentially processor and printer) Sorter Collator (to merge two batches of cards or to match two batches of cards) Reproducer
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 Second Generation Computers (Contd.)

In both these generations thousands of separate components had to be assembled by hand into functioning circuits. It was cost of labour at this assembly stage which became increasingly expensive. Introduction of new technology called Integrated Circuits (IC) made it possible to reduce the size and to eliminate the labour costs. In 1964 IC s began to be used in computers, thereby ushering in the the third generation.
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 Third Generation Computers (1965-1971)

The advances over the previous generation were very significant. It used small-scale integration (SSI) technique or medium-scale integration (MSI) technique. Further reduction in size. The cost performance factor has improved significantly. Increased internal core memory capacity. Increased emphasis on the use of disk as a backing store medium and substantially reduced cost per megabyte.
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 Third Generation Computers (Contd.)

Processor speeds are rated in nanoseconds 1/1000th of a microsecond. Ranges of computers came into being e.g. IBM360, ICL-1900. Models within these ranges were designed to be upward compatible thereby enabling systems developed for the lower models in the range to move up the line with limited modification. The use of high level languages became common viz. COBOL, FORTRAN and PL/1.
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 Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present)

Despite of the continued development in the field of computers, people from computer industry were still not able to foresee the future. Following are some of the now infamous quotes:
But what is it good for? Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip. There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
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 Fourth Generation Computers (Contd.)

It used large-scale integration (LSI) technique. The distinguishing marks were the introduction of standard architecture which provided for greater mobility of systems, the introduction of micro-technology and significant software developments. This generation gave rise to the availability of microcomputers, word processors and intelligent terminals.
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 Fourth Generation Computers (Contd.)

Further reductions in the size of the hardware. Better price/performance. Hardware which in many cases will operate in a normal office or residential environment. Semiconductor memory based on the silicon chip used as core storage. This has led to great expansion in the amount of memory available typically few megabytes as against few kilobytes in the previous generation. Cheaper and bigger backing storage devices. Typically single disk drives with capacity of few gigabytes.

 Future Computers
Organic chips Decreasing cost of software Decreasing cost of hardware Super and ultra personal computers Increased miniaturization Vast performance in the price-performance ratio. Applications- artificial intelligence, personal robots, large scale corporate modeling. Large storage facility High speed
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Comparative Features
Basic Electronic Component Basic Electronic Component Speed Largest Size Unreliable Reliability Outdated Availability 11 Outdated Outdated Current Yet to build Less reliable More reliable Most reliable Yet to Judge Large Medium Smallest Medium I st Generation Computer Vaccum Tubes II nd Generation Computer Transistor III rd Generation Computer Integrated Circuits IV th Generation Computer Very large Scale Integration (VLSI) V Generation Computer Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI)

Slowest

Slow

Medium

Faster

Fastest

Types of Computers
Supercomputers Mainframes Midrange Machines/Minicomputers Workstations Microcomputers Laptops Hand Held Computers Pen Based Computers
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 Supercomputers
Supercomputers are fastest and largest computers available today. They have large memories and high processing speeds. They can process up to a billion instructions per second. Supercomputers are used for processing very large files and performing large-scale mathematical calculations. Supercomputers have multiple processors to do parallel processing.
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 Supercomputers (Contd)
Primary disadvantage of supercomputers is their high cost. The software that runs on them is also very expensive. Main applications that use Supercomputers are
Scientific research and R & D Defense Geo-science and weather forecasting Economic and financial modelling Imaging Simulation Biological and chemical engineering
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 Mainframes
Mainframe is a large, general purpose computer with a large memory and excellent processing capabilities. Mainframes, which are frequently organization wide systems, take their name from main frame which once housed the CPU. Mainframes serve many users at the same time. One of the main disadvantages of the mainframe is that it is expensive to purchase, operate and maintain. Mainframes often require customized software and highly trained computer personnel to run and operate them.
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 Mainframes (Contd.)
They are ideal for applications that require massive computations and large-scale processing. The main applications that use mainframes are
Financial applications Payroll Investment analysis Weather forecasting Airline & railway reservations
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 Midrange Machines/Minicomputers
In the 1970s, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) introduced the concept of a midrange computer, or minicomputer, called the VAX. Microcomputers, which are typical work-group systems, are small yet powerful multi-user systems with excellent memory capabilities and processing speeds. They are slower than mainframes and often have less memory. The introduction of Minicomputers allowed many companies that were unable to afford mainframes to enter the age of computing.
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 Workstations
Workstations lie somewhere between minicomputers and PCs. They can be used by individuals or by groups. They are faster and more sophisticated than PCs and are equipped with a number of productivity tools that increase their efficiency. Advances in microprocessors and sophisticated software have significantly increased the capabilities of these machines. Some of the popular workstations are
SPARC stations form Sun Microsystems IBM RS/6000 Hewlett-Packards Series 700
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 Microcomputers (PCs)
PCs are regarded by many as one of the greatest invention in history. Although the memory size and processing capabilities of microcomputers are less than those of mainframes and minicomputers, advances in hardware technology have made the PC a compact, powerful and versatile machine. PCs have given the ability to users to plug in different hardware and software components and customize their PCs to meet their own personal requirements.

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 Laptops and Notebooks

Laptops and notebooks provide mobile computing technology. Primary differences between a laptop and a notebook are size and weight. Notebooks are smaller than laptops. However,both are are equipped with powerful microprocessors, graphics capabilities and adequate memory size.

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 Hand-Held Computers
Hand-held computers are even smaller than notebooks. They are primarily used to collect field data. Common applications where Hand-held computers are used are:
Sales Representatives. Archaeologists at a dig site. Mobile police force in US.

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Application Area
Scientific Research Business Industry Defense Space Data Communication Telecommunication Medicine Education Law and Order Libraries Publishers Engineering Emerging technologies
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 Pen Based Computing

Pen base computing refers to portable computers that use an electronic writing pad and a light sensitive electronic pen, thus freeing users from the constraints of a keyboard. Pen-based computing is becoming increasingly popular because many people are comfortable using a pen. It is particularly popular in sales and service representatives and other people who are often on the move.
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