Brief History and Generation of Computer

Brief History and Generation of Computer

Every problem has solution and solution never exists without any problem.

In this era of computers, we cannot imagine the world without computers. But this computer which we use in our day to day life has a huge history behind.

History of Computers

The Story of computers starts with the desire to calculate fast and accurately.

The journey of the computer starts with the birth of Abacus.

    Abacus was a wooden frame with metal wires along with beads mounted on them.

Abacus

•  It was basically used for arithmetical calculation.

In 1642 Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical adding machine. This device can perform addition and subtraction.
            

Later in 1671 Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, a German mathematician-Philosopher invented the first calculator for multiplication, known as Stepped Reckoner or Leibnitz weel.

Leibnitz Weel

 Charles Babbage, the 19th-century professor also consider as the father of modern programmable computer design Difference Engine in the year 1822 that could produce reliable tubules.
                           

Difference Engine

    In1842, Charles Babbage came up with the idea of Analytical Engine which can perform the basic arithmetical function with an average speed of 60 addition per minute.

Analytical Engine

     In 1940, Dr. Jhon von Neumann introduces the concept of "stored program".

Dr. Jhon von Neumann

According to the concept, a sequence of instructions and data can be stored in the computer memory for automatically directing the flow of operations. And this idea considerably influences the development of modern digital computers.

Generations of computer

  First Generation (1942-1955)

   

1. They were the fastest calculating devices of those times.

 2. They are bulky in size, requiring larger rooms for installation.

 3. They use thousands of vacuum tubes that emitted a large amount of heat and burnt out frequently .ie air conditions room required.

 4. Each vacuum tube 1/2 a watt of power and comp.use thousands of vacuum tubes so, power consumption is high

Vacuum Tube

5.  These computers face frequent hardware failure due to vacuum tubes.

6. Here thousands of individual components were assembled manually and costly into circuit commercial production was difficult.

7. These computers are very difficult to program.

   Second Generation (1955-1969)

 1. They were more than times faster than 1st generation computers.

 2. They are smaller and required smaller space then 1st generation computers.

3. They consume less power and dissipated less heat but stip need proper air condition rooms

4. They were more reliable and fewer chances of hardware failure then 1st generation computers

5. They had fast and large storage then 1st generation.

6. They were easier to program and use than the 1st generation.

Transistor

7. Thousands of individual transistors were assembled manually in the circuit so, it is difficult to make the computer commercial.

  3rd Generation (1964-1975)

 1. more powerful and can perform 1 million instructions per sec.

 2. They were smaller than 2nd generation computers.

3. consume less power and commit less heat then 2nd generation but still required air-conditioned rooms.

4. They are more reliable and less prone to hardware failures.

5. They had first &largerer storage space then 2nd generation computer

6. They are General purpose machines suitable for scientific & commercial purposes.

7. Here  IC  chips with MSI and SSI were used.

IC chips

8. Standardization of HLL all programs are written for computers, to be easily ported to and executed on another computer.

9. Time starting os allows interactive usage & simultaneous use of these systems by multiple users.

 4th Generation(1975-1989)

 1. PCs were smaller and cheaper than mainframes or mini comps of 3rd generation.

2. Although the 4th generation mainframe and supercomputer need air condition rooms PCs don't require it.

3. They consumed less power then 3rd generation computer

4. Faster and large storage then 3rd generation computer

5. Reliable and less prone to hardware failure then 3rd generation computer maintenance cost is negligible.

6. They were general-purpose machines.

7. Here LSI and VLSI chips were used.

LSI chip

8. The graphical user interface enables new users to quickly learn how to use computer

5thGeneration (1989-present)

1.  Portable Pcs (Notebook computers) are much smaller and handy allow the user to use pcs while traveling.

2. 5th generation pcs and workstations are several times powerful than the 4th generation.

3. Consume less power.

4. Reliable & less prone to hardware failure.

5. The replaceable part is there.

6. They have faster and have large storage space.

7. They are general-purpose machines.

8. Use ULSIchips.

5th Generation Computers

9. Use of standard High-Level Programming Language.

10. User-friendly interface and multitasking.

11. Affordable and can be used in different fields.