Generations of Computer

The development of electronic computer can be divided into generations depending upon the technologies used.
The generations of computer are as follows:

First Generation Computers (1942-1955)

First generation computers were used during 1942-1955. They were based on vacuum tubes. Vacuum tubes were the only electronic component available during those days. Vacuum tube technology made possible to make electronic digital computers. These computers heated  very soon due to thousand of vacuum tubes. They used only machine language. Punch cards were used for input in these computers. Examples of first generation computers are ENIVAC and UNIVAC-1 etc.






Second Generation Computers (1955-1964)

The transistors was used in second generation computers. Transistors are smaller, more reliable and consume far less power as compared to vacuum tubes. Examples of second-generation computers are IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400 series and CDC 164 etc.







Third Generation Computers (1964-1975)
The major invention of third generation computer was the development of IC. IC stands for Integrated Circuit. A single IC chip contains thousands of transistors. The computer became smaller in size, faster , more reliable and less expensive. Some examples of third-generation computers are IBM System/360, UNIVAC 1108 and IBM 370 etc.




Fourth Generation Computers (1975-Present)

The fourth generation computers started with the invention of microprocessor. Microprocessor is a small chip containing thousands of ICs on it. It greatly reduced the size of the computer. The size of modern microprocessor is usually one square inch. It can contain millions of electronic circuits.
The first microprocessor was produced by Ted Hoff in 1971 for Intel Corporation. The name of this processor was Intel 4004. Examples of fourth generation computers are Apple Macintosh adn IBM PC.



Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond)

The 5th generation computers are based on the technique of artificial intelligence (AI). Computers can understand spoken words instructions and imitate human reasoning. The ability to translate a foreign language is also moderately possible with fifth generation computers. Scientists are trying to create a computer with real IQ with the help of advance programming and technologies.