Generations of Computers

Computers have undergone a radical transformation since their inception in the

1940s. With every passing generation, they have become faster, more powerful,
and more ubiquitous in our day-to-day lives.

SO
First Generation Computers

ENIAC Vacuum Tubes

ENIAC was the world's first electronic general- These computers were massive, filled entire rooms,
purpose computer. It was developed during World War and relied on vacuum tubes to process information.
II to calculate artillery firing tables for the United They were slow, inefficient, and required constant
States Army. maintenance.
Second Generation Computers
1 Transistors

The development of transistors did away with the need for vacuum tubes.

2 High-Level Programming Languages

COBOL and FORTRAN were developed, making it easier to use computers and to
write and maintain code.

3 Decreased Size and Increased Processing Power

Computers became much smaller, faster, and more affordable.

4 Introduction of Magnetic Core Memory

This new storage technology made computers more reliable and efficient.
Third Generation Computers

1 Introduction of Integrated Circuits

Integrated circuits allowed for greater

Development of Operating 2 processing power and compactness.
Systems

UNIX was developed which made it easier

for businesses and academics to use 3 Network Connection Technology
computers

The creation of Ethernet demonstrated the

potential for interconnectivity that would
later become the internet as we know it
today.
Fourth Generation Computers
Much faster processors Graphical User Interface

Computers became much faster, more energy- The GUI allowed for easier navigation and
efficient, and able to handle large amounts of interaction with computers. The Macintosh was
data. the first popular computer to use the GUI.

Magnetic storage devices Mass Production of Personal Computers

New magnetic storage devices like floppy disks

and hard drives allowed for the storage of massive The popularity of personal computers such as the
amounts of information. IBM PC and Apple Macintosh exploded, making
computing a household technology.
Fifth Generation Computers
Quantum Computing
Quantum computers are fundamentally
different from classical computers, and
they have the potential to solve complex
problems much more quickly.
Ubiquitous Computing
Ubiquitous computing is a vision for a
world where computing is embedded in
everyday objects and environments.
1 Artifical Intelligence
AI and machine learning technologies
were developed which allowed computers
2 to automate tasks and think creatively.
3 Biocomputers
Biocomputers seek to harness the power of
biological systems to create new kinds of
computers. DNA computing is one area of
4 research with the potential for
revolutionary breakthroughs.
Sixth Generation Computers
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing research has
continued to develop, with the
development of new algorithms
and hardware.
Artifical Intelligence
AI and machine learning systems
are becoming more advanced,
with the potential to revolutionize
how we live and work.
Neurocomputing
Neurocomputing seeks to develop
computing systems that are more
closely modeled after the human
brain, opening up new
possibilities for AI and machine
learning.
Future of Computing
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing has the
potential to dramatically speed
up complex tasks such as drug
discovery and materials science.
Google and IBM are at the
forefront of this field.
Artificial Intelligence
AI will continue to transform
nearly every aspect of our lives,
from healthcare to transportation
to finance. Robotics and
automation may also play a
larger role in the future of work.
Biocomputing
As scientists learn more about
how biological systems work,
they may be able to harness their
power for computing. This could
lead to new breakthroughs in
fields such as medicine and
energy.