History of Computers
Earlier computers were very costly and only large organisations could afford them. But in recent years, new technologies and advancements in the field of information technology (IT) have made computers within reach of small organisations and individuals also. The computers are divided into five generations. These are describes as follows:
First Generation
The period of first generation was from 1946-1959. Eckert and Mauchly established a new company in 1946. This company was incorporated as the, UNIVAC Division of Remington Rand in 1949. The first machine, UNIVAC-1 built by this company was made operational in 1951 at the Bureau of Census.
The main features of the first generation were:
- This machine used magnetic medium for data input and output.
- These computers used vacuum tube technology.
- These computers used valve technology and not very high reliability.
- These computers supported machine language only.
- The first generation computers were very costly.
Second Generation
The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. The second generation computers were used transistors technology. These computers were smaller in size, more reliable and highly efficient. These machine used English like language known as High Level Language (HLL) for ease of operation and application in business and scientific analysis.
Third Generation
The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The third generation computers were used Integrated circuits (ICs) in place of transistors. These machine consumed less power and were highly reliable. These machines used more versatile programs like real time operating system, multiprogramming techniques and database management.
Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. The fourth generation computers are primarily based on microprocessors comprising Large Scale Integration (LSI) chips and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) chips. The invention of microprocessor chip has created a revolution in the reduction of price and size of this generation machines.
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The period of fifth generation is 1980 till date. In the fifth generation, the VLSI Technology become Very large scale integrated circuits, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having 10 million electronic components. This generation is based on parallel processing hardware & AI software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science which interprets means and method of making computers think like human being. All the high level languages like C & C++, Java, .Net etc. are used in this generation. Computer types of 5th gen. Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Ultrabook, Cromebook.
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