First Generation
1950-1958
“Age of Vacuum Tubes”
UNIVAC 1
1st viable electronic computer
components of 1st Gen.
vacuum tubes
magnetic core storage
machine language
sequential processing of data
characteristics of 1st Gen.
bulky & unreliable
produced large amount of heat
not a long-live component
requires 3,500 Kw/day
second Generation
1959-1964
AGE OF TRANSISTOR
1st commercial minicomputer
example of 2nd Gen
IBM 650
IBM 1401
IBM 7000
PDP-8
components of 2nd Gen.
-solid state tech.
- transistors for memory
-high speed card readers & pointers
- disk for secondary storage
- programming methods
- sequential or random processing
characteristics of 2nd Gen.
-physically smaller in size
-more reliable, faster, efficient
- greater in processing capacity
3rd Generation
1964-1970
AGE OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
(IC)
Examples of 3rd Gen.
Burroughs B300
IBM 360
NCR 315
components of 3rd Gen.
-solid logic technology (Integrated circuits)
- improved secondary storage device
-new I/O devices
-time sharing environment
- multiprocessing/multiprogramming
characteristics of 3rd Gen.
-improved reliability & speed
- produces lesser heat
-require low voltages
- physically smaller
-arithmetic & logic operations are performed in nanoseconds
-improved computing power & storage capacity
- handled many programs & responded w/o delays
4th GENERATION
1971-1980
AGE OF MICROPROCESSOR
Example of 4th Gen…
-Apple computers
- IBM PC
- CRAY-1
- super computer
components of 4th Gen.
-microelectronics
LSI-Large Scale Integration
VLSI -Very Large Scale Integration
- Introduction of DBMS (Database Management system)
- decentralized computing
- advanced I/O devices
characteristics of 4th Gen.
-much faster, less expensive
- greater DP capacity
- inexpensive mini/micro computers
FIFTH GENERATION
1981 - Present
INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY
components of 5th Gen.
-intro of microcomputers
- appearance of DSS (Decision Support system) & office automation
- Fiber oftics
- flat screen monitors
-bubble memory storage
-AI
- Internet
Characteristics of 5th Gen.
-computer intelligence
LSI meaning of Acronym
Large Scale Integration.
VLSI
Very Large Scale Integration
