Chapter 1: Introduction to the world of computers
Topic 2: (Part 2) Generations of modern computer
The evolution of a computer is often divided into generations. Each generation is characterized by impressive improvements over the previous generation in the technology used to build computers and the internal structure of computer systems and programming languages. As a result of the efficiency, speed, power, and computer memory has proportionally increased.
First Generation 1940~1955
First generation computers could solve only one problem at a time. They were powered by thousands of vacuum tubes. The most important examples of first-generation computers were The Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator or MARK-1, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) and UNIVAC which are very expensive, size is very big.
Second Generation 1955~1965
The second generation of computers uses transistors instead of vacuum tubes. Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a signal or opens or closes electronic circuits. Transistors allowed second-generation computers to be physically smaller, less expensive, more powerful, more energy-efficient, and more reliable than first-generation computers. . Today's latest microprocessor or micro-controller contains tens of millions of microscopic transistors.
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| Transistor |
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| 2nd Generation |
Third Generation 1965~1975
The development of the Integrated Circuit (IC’s) was the feature of the third generation of computers. The computers of third generation used integrated circuits in place of transistors. Transistors were placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which hugely increased the speed and efficiency of computers. A single integrated circuit has many transistors, resistors as well as capacitors. Users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time.
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| Integrated Circuit |
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| 3rd Generation |
Fourth Generation 1975~1980
The Microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers. A microprocessor contains the core processing capabilities of an entire computer on one single chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. Most of today’s modern computers fall into this category. Fourth generation computer typically use keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, optical and magnetic drive for storage.
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| Micro Processor |
Fifth Generation 1980~onwards
Some people believe that the fifth generation of computers has not yet begun. Because fifth generation computers have no precise classification. However, one common opinion is that fifth generation computers will be based on artificial intelligence, allowing them to think, reason, and learn. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning.
Categories of the modern computers
Hardware
All the physical parts of the computer such as keyboard, mouse, monitor etc… which are touchable can be called as hardware. Hardware components can be internal (located inside the system unit of the computer) or external (located outside the system unit and connected to the system unit via a wired or wireless connection). Furthermore hardware will discuss later.
Software
The term software refers to the programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do. We can also call that software used to control the hardware. Computers use two basic types of software: system software and application software. The differences between these types of software are discussed later.
Computer Users
Computer users are the people who use computers to perform tasks or take information. For example Microsoft word allow user to create documents such as letters and notes as well as web browser allow users to view web pages on the internet.
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