History of Computer Generations
In this
era we live in the digital age, when computers are everywhere. They are small
and they can fit in our pockets. In 1940 computer were not at all pocket-sized,
computer can’t bring, have limited function and very slow. In this article we will
discuss about history of computer generations.
The
first generation lasted from 1940 to 1956. First generation computers operated
on vacuum tubes, which served as the circuitry. The magnetic drums served as
the memory. These computers were absolutely enormous. The cost of maintenance
was ridiculous, as they required a lot of electricity and heated up very quickly,
which made them break down. Frist generation computer used the basic
programming language called machine language. It allowed them to solve one math
problem at a time, and it took days or week to solve one problem.
From
1956 to 1963 second generation computer created. Vacuum tubes were replaced by
transistors, which resulted in smaller, cheaper, and faster. Magnetic drum was
replaced by a magnetic core. Computer in this generations moved froem machine
language to assembly language. Assembly understood commands given to them words
and these make it easy programmer to solve problem.
Third generation lasted from 1964
to 1971. This generation of computers required the use of integrated circuits.
These circuits were basically the same transistors, only smaller and more
powerful. The computers of the third generation were small enough for people to
have them in their homes. They became accessible to the public. Third
generation very faster than first generation computer. This generations added
input/output to control computer as keyboard, monitor, and mouse.
Fourth
generation of computer make us able to save in our pocket. The integrated
circuits became even smaller, small enough to mount thousands of them on a
silicon chip. Programming also get the easy of solving problems because high
level language was created.
