| Subject: Re: computer genration |
Author:
faizan
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Date Posted: 10:48:10 01/27/05 Thu
Author Host/IP: NoHost/202.176.250.152
In reply to:
jhan Arra
's message, "computer genration" on 09:38:42 12/07/04 Tue
>The Five Generations of Computers
>
>
>The history of computer development is often referred
>to in reference to the different generations of
>computing devices. Each generation of computer is
>characterized by a major technological development
>that fundamentally changed the way computers operate,
>resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more
>powerful and more efficient and reliable devices. Read
>about each generation and the developments that led to
>the current devices that we use today.
>
>First Generation - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes
>
>The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry
>and magnetic drams for memory, and were often
>enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very
>expensive to operate and in addition to using a great
>deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which
>was often the cause of malfunctions. First generation
>computers relied on machine language to perform
>operations, and they could only solve one problem at a
>time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape,
>and output was displayed on printouts.
>The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of
>first-generation computing devices. The UNIVAC was the
>first commercial computer delivered to a business
>client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.
>
>Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors
> Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the
>second generation of computers. The transistor was
>invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in
>computers until the late 50s. The transistor was far
>superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to
>become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient
>and more reliable than their first-generation
>predecessors. Though the transistor still generated a
>great deal of heat that subjected the computer to
>damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum
>tube. Second-generation computers still relied on
>punched cards for input and printouts for output.
>Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary
>machine language to symbolic, or assembly, languages,
>which allowed programmers to specify instructions in
>words. High-level programming languages were also
>being developed at this time, such as early versions
>of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first
>computers that stored their instructions in their
>memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic
>core technology.
>The first computers of this generation were developed
>for the atomic energy industry.
>
>Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits
>The development of the integrated circuit was the
>hallmark of the third generation of computers.
>Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon
>chips, called semiconductors, which drastically
>increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
>Instead of punched cards and printouts, users
>interacted with third generation computers through
>keyboard and monitors and interfaced with an operating
>systems, which allowed the device to run many
>different applications at one time with a central
>program that monitored the memory. Computers for the
>first time became accessible to a mass audience
>because they were smaller and cheaper than their
>predecessors.
>
>Fourth Generation – 1971-Present: Microprocessors
>The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of
>computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were
>built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first
>generation filled an entire room could now fit in the
>palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in
>1971, located all the components of the computer -
>from the central processing unit and memory to
>input/output controls - on a single chip.
>In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home
>user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh.
>Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop
>computers and into many areas of life as more and more
>everyday products began to use microprocessors.
>As these small computers became more powerful, they
>could be linked together to form networks, which
>eventually led to the development of the Internet.
>Fourth generation computers also saw the development
>of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.
>
>Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial
>Intelligence
>Fifth generation computing devices, based on
>artificial intelligence, are still in development,
>though there are some applications, such as voice
>recognition, that are being used today. The use of
>parallel processing and superconductors is helping to
>make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum
>computation and molecular and nanotecnology will
>radically change the face of computers in years to
>come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to
>develop devices that respond to natural language input
>and are capable of learning and self-organization.
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