Generations Of Computers – Computer awareness for Competitive Exams

By Unknown - Sunday, October 5, 2014 - No Comments

Hi Friends!! Computer awareness is one of the important and good scoring topics in IBPS/SBI/RRB PO & Clerk bank exams. Here we are providing precious information about the newly IT updates in the Computer Market. Each generation has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are five generation of the computers.

First generation computers

The computer in the first generation uses the Vacuum tube technology. The vacuum tube is a glass device that will control and amplify signals. The speeds of the computers were measured in mili-seconds. It operates at a low speed. The computers consumed large powers and they require air conditioning. The main advantage of this generation is that it has a vacuum tube, which was the very fast calculating device of that period or generation. The drawback of the first generation is that it is very large or bulky device and non-portable. The system has a frequent failure and requires regular maintenance. Examples are: ENIAC [Electronic numerical integrator and calculator] , EDSAC[ electronic delayed storage automatic computer].

Second generation computers

It is developed in late 1950s. The computers are built by transistor and it has replaced the vacuum tube of the first generation. The speeds of the computers are measured in micro seconds. The magnetic tapes are used for the medium of the storage of the data. These computers generate less heat as compared to the vacuum tube. This generation computers are smaller in size compared to first generation and also it is faster and more reliable with cheaper in price. The disadvantage of this generation is the manufacturing involved manually assembly. Example : IBM 1401, IBM 1410, UNIVAC[ universal automatic computers. It is the first commercial computer].

Third generation computers

It is developed in 1960s. In the third generation of computers, it replaces the transistor by large-scale integrated circuit. One IC does the work of 100 transistors. The speed of the computer is measured in nano seconds. It is available in smaller size and faster in computation compared to the previous generation. Magnetic drums are used as a medium for the storage of the data. The main advantage of this generation computer is that it is smaller in size, consume less power, lower cost and more reliable. The disadvantage is that it requires highly sophisticated technology to manufacture the integrated circuits. Example are : IBM 360 series.

Fourth generation computers

It is introduced in 1970s. It uses the technology where transistor, diodes and registers are used and it is called as a very large scale integrated circuit. It is a chip of silicon known as a microprocessor chip. It is smallest in the size, faster in the computation, cheapest among the previous generation computers and air conditioning is not required. Example : IBM 1130, UNIVAC 1107.

Fifth generation computers

It is based on the ultra large scale integration. It is more easier to operate and more user friendly and it supports higher degree of artificial intelligence. It has ability to interact with human in ordinary languages. It emphasis on the network and client server technology. They are on tend to work with natural languages. Example : Robots