Essay On Generation Of Computers

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Recommended: Brief history on computers

THE GENERATION OF COMPUTERS Generation of computer is a term used to describe the evolution of computing, i.e. in other words it means improvement in the field of computer. There are six types of generation of computers: First Generation: Vacuum Tube Second Generation: Transistor Third Generation: Integrated Circuit Fourth Generation: Microprocessor Fifth Generation: Parallel Processing Sixth Generation:Reduced Instruction Set Chip (RISC) FIRST GENERATION1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes(electric tubes about the size of light bulb) for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms.

It uses machine language and machine code.

In this generation, punched cards, paper tape, magnetic tape, input and output were used.

MATERIAL USED Vacuum Tubes

Magnetic Drum

4,000 bits

Hard Wire Programs in computers SOME COMPUTER OF THIS GENERATION WERE: MARK 1 ENIAC UNIVAC EDVAC EDSAC CHARACTERISED BY: Unreliable Supported machine language Very expensive Difficult to program Slow input/output Need of A.C. They were very large and often take 1 room. Consume large amount of electricity & emitted a lot of heat. Non portable

First Generation Computer SECOND GENERATIONTransistors(1956-1963)

Transistors were used as the second generation computers. Smaller transistors replaced the vacuum tubes as the processing parts of a computer.

In this type of generation computers uses binary machine language or assembly language and high level programming language like FORTRAN, COBOL, ALGOL were used.

In this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage. There was also the creation of hardware and software. Th...

... middle of paper ...

...nd video games, video game consoles, and video game handhelds available at the turn of the 21st century. Platforms of the sixth generation include the Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Microsoft Xbox, handhelds consoles include the Game Boy Advance. This era began on November 27, 1998 with the release of the Dreamcast, and it was joined by the PlayStation 2 in March 2000.

CONCLUSION As a result of the various improvements to the development of the computer we have seen the computer being used in all areas of life. It is a very useful tool that will continue to experience new development as time passes. Computers are used in various areas of our life. Education, entertainment, sports, advertising, medicine, science and engineering, government, office and home are some of theÿapplication areas of the computers. VIDEO ON GENERATION OF COMPUTERS

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