COMPUTER GENERATION

The meaning of computer

• Computer comes from the word “compute” which means calculation and also the development of computer its form of more complex and scientific calculation.Also computer is the electronic devices which works under stored programs such that it manipulate information,stores,retrieve and process data for various use.

The meaning of computer generation

• Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used.Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But
• nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics. Here approximate dates against each generations have been mentioned which are normally accepted.

Following are the main five generations of computers

FIRST GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1946 – 1959)

The period of first generation was 1946-1959. The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and were prone to frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and could be afforded only by very large organizations. In this generation mainly batch processing operating system were used. Punched cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices. The computers in this generation used machine code as programming language.

NB:
Processing of data in the  first generation of computer its used vacuum tube  and stored of data its used a drum for all storing of data.

THE MAIN FEATURES OF FIRST GENERATION ARE:

  Vacuum tube technology
  Unreliable
  Supported machine language only
  Very costly
  Generated lot of heat
  Slow input and output devices
  Huge size
  Need of A.C.
  Non-portable

  Consumed lot of electricity

SOME COMPUTERS OF THIS GENERATION WERE:

         ENIAC
    EDVAC
    UNIVAC
   IBM-701