The computer Generation

The computer Generation:

“Generation” in computer talk is a step in technology. Originally, the term “generation” was used to distinguish between varying hardware and software technology.

There is five generation of computer until now. They are:

• First generation:

• Generation period: 1942-1955
• Hardware technologies:
• Vacuum tube.
• Electromagnetic relay memory.
• Punch card secondary memory.
• Software technologies:
• Machine and assembly language.
• Mostly scientific applications.
• Other features:
• Bulky in size.
• Unreliable.
• Limited commercial use.
• Difficult to use.

Example: IBM 701, ENIAC etc.

• Second generation:

• Generation period: 1955-1964
• Hardware technologies:
• Transistors.
• Magnetic core memory.
• Magnetic tape and disk for secondary storage.
• Software technologies:

• Batch operating system.
• High level programming language.
• Scientific and commercial application.

• Others features:

• Smaller in size.
• Faster.
• More reliable.
• Commercial used was still difficult.

Example: IBM 7030, LARK etc.

• Third generation:

• Generation period: 1964-1975

• Hardware technologies:

• IC with SSI and MSI technologies.
• Large magnetic core memory.
• Lager capacity disk.
• Minicomputer.

• Software technologies:

• Time sharing operating system.
• Standardization of high level programming language.

• Others features:

• Faster, smaller, more reliable.
• Chapter to produce commercially.
• Easier to upgrade.
• Scientific, commercial and interactive online application.

Example: IBM360/370, PDP-8 etc.

• Forth generation:

• generation period: 1975-1989

• hardware technologies:

• IC with VLSI technology.
• Microprocessor.
• Semiconductor memory.
• High capacity disk.
• Spread of high speed computer network.

• Software technologies:

• GUI operating system as Windows.
• UNIX operating system.
• Network based application.

• Others features:

• Smaller, reliable and easy to use.
• More powerful mainframe computer.
• Totally general purpose machine.
• Easier to produce commercially.

Example: IBM PC and its clones, Apple II etc.

• Fifth generation:

• Generation period: 1989-present

• Hardware technologies:

• IC with ULSI technologies.
• Large capacity main memory.
• Larger capacity hard disk and optical disks.
• Internet.

• Software technologies:

• World Wide Web.
• Multimedia applications.
• Internet-based applications.

• Others features:

• Portable computer.
• More powerful, easer, reliable.
• Totally general purpose machine.

Example: IBM Notebooks, Pentium PCs etc.