Computer can classified in to five types according to

generations i.e time period

. First generation computer

. Second generation computer
. Third generation computer
. Fourth generation computer
. Fifth generation computer
. First generation computer

Period : 1945 – 1956

Inviter : Lee de Forest
Main processing device : Vacuum tubes
Vacuum tube
Vacuum tube
Vacuum tube
Vacuum tube
Vacuum tubes
Observing Vacuum tube
Observing Vacuum tube
Vacuum tube tester
Punched curds
Punched card voting Punched card decks
Punched cards models
Large punched cards
. First generation computer
Advantages :
. It was only electronic device
. First device to hold memory

Disadvantages :
. Too bulky i.e large in size
. Vacuum tubes burn frequently
. They were producing heat

. Maintenance problems
Too bulky i.e large in size
Vacuum tubes burn frequently
Maintenance problems
. Second generation computer

Period : 1956 – 1963

Inviter : William Shockley
Main processing device : Transistor
Storage media : Magnetic disc
 Transistor

1 2
Transistor board
. Second generation computer

Advantages :
. Size reduced considerably
. The very fast

. Very much reliable

Disadvantages :
. They over heated quickly

. Maintenance problems
. Third generation computer

Period : 1964 – 1971

Inviter : Jack Kilby
Robert Noyce
Main processing device : IC (integrated circuit)
Storage media : Floppies
IC (integrated circuit)
ICs (integrated circuits)
IC (integrated circuit)
. Third generation computer

Advantages :
. ICs are very small in size
. Improved performance

. Production cost cheap

Disadvantages :
. ICs are sophisticated
. Fourth generation computer

Period : 1971– present

Inviter : Ted Hoff
Main processing device : ICs with VLSI
(Very Large Scale Integration)
Storage media : Floppies, CDs.
 ICs with VLSI
(Very Large Scale Integration)
. Fourth generation computer

Advantages :
. It is a compact
. Less power consumption
. Production cost is cheap

Disadvantages :
. No artificial intelligent.
. Fifth generation computer

Period : present and beyond

Main processing device : ICs with parallel
processing
Storage media : Video disks
Advantages :
. Artificial intelligence
. Expert system
. First generation computer . Second generation computer

Vacuum tubes Transistors

. Third generation computer . Fourth generation computer

ICs ICs with VLSI

. Fifth generation computer

ICs with parallel

processing
Computer is a group of electronic devices used
to process the data.
The characteristics of a computer are:

1. Speed 4. Accuracy
2. Reliability 5. Automation
3. Memory capacity 6. Functionality
7. Tirelessness
1.Speed: computer process the data at an
unimaginable speed. The speed of the computer
ranges up to Nano seconds.
2. Reliability: The next important characteristic of
a computer is its reliability. we can always rely
on the information given by a computer.
3. Memory capacity: The memory capacity of a
computer is measured in in bits and bytes. Large
amount of the data can be stored in computer
and retrieved. Memory capacity of the computer
ranges in Giga bytes.
4. Accuracy: Accuracy of the computer is very
high it performs calculation with greater
accuracy
in less time.
5. Automation: a computer allows automation
for any process designed in the from of a
program. A program can be executed any
number of times to repeat the process.
6. functionality: computer can performs many
kinds
of jobs. They not process the data but also can be
Used for plying music, movies, and printing jobs.
It finds its applications in all most all the fields.
7. Tirelessness: A computer never gate tired.