Computers have technically been in use since the ‘Abacus’ approximately 5000 years ago.
The computer was born in the attempt to make an adding machine.
Adding machine (1642) - Blaise Pascal [1st Mathematical machine]
Mechanical loom with punch card system (1801) – Joseph Jacquard
Analytical engine using punch card concept (1837) – Charles Babbage
This was based on
- input
- process
- output
- storage
So ‘Charles Babbage’ is the ‘Father of Computing’
Writes programs for the Analytical engine - Madam Ada Augusta Lovelace [The 1st Programmer]
Automatic Sequence Control Calculator (1944) - Howard Aiken [MARK 1]
Before 1944, all the versions of earlier computers were ‘Mechanical’ in nature. |
Since 1944, the automated versions of the computers were categorized into various generations |
First Generation Computers
|
First Generation Computers |
Period | : 1940 – 1956 |
Major hardware technology | : Vacuum tubes |
Input device | : Punch cards |
Processing device | : Punch cards |
Output device | : Punch cards |
Storage device | : Punch cards |
Main features | : Machine language & Assembly language were used |
| Stored Program concept |
Characteristics | : High heat generation |
| Slow in processing |
| Huge in size |
| Not portable |
| Consume a lot of electricity |
| Expensive |
Example Models | : ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC, IBM 701 |
Size | : Mainframe |
|
Vacuum tubes |
Second Generation Computers
|
Second Generation Computers |
Period | : 1956 - 1963 |
Major hardware technology | : Transistors |
Input device | : Punch cards |
Memory device | : RAM , ROM |
Processing device | : Punch cards |
Output device | : Punch cards |
Storage device | : Magnetic tape and Floppy disks |
Main features | : High level programming language & Assembly language |
Characteristics | : Less heat generation, Perform operations in micro sec |
| Smaller in size |
| Low power consumption |
| Comparatively faster than 1st generation |
| Expensive, Air conditioning required |
Example Models | : Honey well 400, IBM 7030, CDC 1604, UNIVAC LARC |
Size | : Mainframe |
|
Transistors |
Third Generation Computers
|
Third Generation Computers |
Period | : 1964 - 1975 |
Major hardware technology | : Integrated Circuit (IC) |
Input device | : Keyboard, Mouse |
Processing device | : Processor |
Memory device | : DRAM , PROM |
Output device | : Monitor screen |
Storage device | : Hard disk drive, Magnetic tape and Floppy disks |
Main features | : Birth of Operating Systems (OS) |
| Well developed programming languages |
| High level computer languages for coding |
Characteristics | : Smaller in size, More reliable |
| Less heat generation |
| Comparatively faster than 2nd generation |
| Expensive, Good storage |
| Lower power consumption |
Example Models | : IBM 360/370, PDP-8, PDP-11, CDC-6600 |
Size | : Minicomputer |
|
Integrated Circuit (IC) |
Fourth Generation Computers
Period | : 1975 - 1989 |
Major hardware technology | : Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSIC) |
Input device | : Keyboard, Mouse, Joy stick, Trackball |
Memory device | : SRAM, EPROM |
Processing device | : Micro Processor |
Output device | : Monitor, Printer |
Storage device | : IDE Hard disk, CD, Floppy disk |
Main features | : Birth of Operating Systems with GUI |
| UNIX OS |
Characteristics | : Very small in size, General purpose |
| Portable, No air conditioning required |
| Upgradable, Low maintenance cost |
| Calculations in Picoseconds |
Example Models | : IBM PC, Apple II |
Size | : Micro computers |
Fifth Generation Computers
Period | : 1990 - Present |
Major hardware technology | : Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuits (ULSIC) |
Input device | : All present day input devices |
Memory device | : EEPROM,DIMM, SIMM |
Processing device | : Intel Core i3 or higher |
Output device | : Monitor, Printer & Projector |
Storage device | : SATA Hard disk, CD, DVD, Flash drive, SD card |
Main features | : Operating Systems with GUI |
| Internet and multi – media applications |
| Voice recognition based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) |
| Character recognition |
| Hand – writing recognition system |
Characteristics | : Portable |
| Less Expensive |
| Smaller in size |
| Easy operation |
| High reliability |
| High efficiency |
Example Models | : IBM notebooks, Pentium PCs, Sun workstations, |
| Digital diary, Palm top |
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