Computer : History and Evolution

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The term computer is derived from the word “COMPUTE” which means “to calculate”. So it is clear that the direct connection of Computer is with the calculator, its area is currently not only limited to computation but has become very widespread. The computer has its high storage capacity, speed, automation, capacity, accuracy, reliability memory of our life due to the power of memory every area is becoming important. Computer can be calculated in a more subtle time more rapidly, the results given by the computer are more pure. Now days, computer is being used in every area of ​​the world such as space, film production, traffic, industry trade, railway station, school, college, airport, etc. Computer where reservation of seats in airplanes, trains and hotels is done on one side, on the other hand, due to Computer, the functioning accuracy and speed is increasing.

Definition of Computer 

A computer is a machine or device that performs processes, calculations and operations based on instructions provided by a software or hardware program. It is designed to execute applications and provides a variety of solutions by combining integrated hardware and software components.

History of Computer 

Generations of computer 

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

Types : Generation of Computer 

First Generation (1940 to 1956) 

Second Generation (1956 to 1963) 

Third Generation (1964 to 1971) 

Fourth Generation (1971 to 1980) 

Fifth Generation (Present Time) 

First Generation of Computer 

The beginning of commercial computer age is from UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer). It was developed by two scientists Mauchly and Echert at the Census Department of United States in 1947. The first Generation of computer were used during 1940-1956. They were based on vacuum tubes. Examples of first generation of computers are ENIVAC and UNIVAC-1. 

Advantages : First Generation of Computer 

These are various advantages of First Generation of computer 

Vacuum tubes were the only electronic component available during those days. Vacuum tube technology made possible to make electronic digital computers. These computers could calculate data in millisecond. 

Disadvantages 

These are various disadvantages of First Generation of Computer are – 

The computers were very large in size. They consumed a large amount of energy. They heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum tubes. They were not very reliable. Air conditioning was required. Constant maintenance was required. Non-portable. Costly commercial production. Limited commercial use. Very slow speed. Limited programming capabilities. Used machine language only. Used magnetic drums which provide very less data storage. Used punch cards for input. Not versatile and very faulty. 

First Generation of Computer List 

ENIAC

EDVAC 

UNIVAC

IBM-701

IBM-650 

Second Generation of Computer 

The Second Generation of computers used transistors. The scientists at Bell laboratories developed transistor in 1947. These scientists include John Barden, William Brattain and William Shockley. The size of the computers was decreased by replacing vacuum tubes with transistors.

The examples of Second Generation of Computer are IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400 series and CDC 164 etc. 

Advantages : Second Generation of Computer 

These are various advantages of Second Generation of computer 

Smaller in size as compared to the first generation computers. The 2nd generation Computers were more reliable Used less energy and were not heated. Wider commercial use Better portability as compared to the first generation computers. Better speed and could calculate data in microseconds Used faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks, printer etc. Used Assembly language instead of Machine language. Accuracy improved.

Disadvantages 

These are various disadvantages of Second Generation of Computers are –

Cooling system was required. Constant maintenance was required. Commercial production was difficult. Only used for specific purposes. Costly and not versatile. Puch cards were used for input.

Second Generation of Computer List 

IBM 1620 

IBM 7094 

CDC 1604 

CDC 3600 

UNIVAC 1108

Third Generation of Computer 

The Third Generation of Computer used the integrated circuits (IC). Jack Kilby developed the concept of integrated circuit in 1958. It was an important invention in the computer field. The first IC was invented and used in 1961. The size of an IC is about 1/4 square inch. A single IC chip may contain thousands of transistors. The computer became smaller in size, faster, more reliable and less expensive. 

The examples of Third Generation of Computer are IBM 370, IBM System/360, UNIVAC 1108 and UNIVAC AC 9000 etc. 

Advantages : Third Generation of Computer 

These are various advantages of Third Generation of Computer 

Smaller in size as compared to previous generations. More reliable. Used less energy Produced less heat as compared to the previous two generations of computers. Better speed and could calculate data in nanoseconds. Used fan for heat discharge to prevent damage. Maintenance cost was low because hardware failure is reare. Totally general purpose Could be used for high-level languages. Good storage Versatile to an extent Less expensive Better accuracy Commercial production increased. Used mouse and keyboard for input.

Disadvantages 

These are various disadvantages of Third Generation of Computer are –

Air conditioning was required. Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.

Third Generation of Computer List

IBM-360 series

Honeywell-6000 series 

PDP (Personal Data Processor)

IBM-370/168

TDC-316 

 Fourth Generation of Computer 

The fourth Generation of computer started with the invention of Microprocessor. The Microprocessor contains thousands of ICs. Ted Hoff produced the first microprocessor in 1971 for Intel. It was known as Intel 4004. The technology of integrated circuits improved rapidly. The LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuit and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) circuit was designed. It greatly reduced the size of computer. The size of modern Microprocessors is usually one square inch. It can contain millions of electronic circuits.

The examples of Fourth Generation of computers are Apple Macintosh & IBM PC.

Advantages : Fourth Generation of Computer 

 These are various advantages of Fourth Generation of Computer are –

 More powerful and reliable than previous generations. Small in size. Fast processing power with less power consumption. Fan for heat discharging and thus to keep cold. No air conditioning required. Totally general purpose. Commercial production. Less need of repair. Cheapest among all generations. All types of High level languages can be used in this type of computers. 

 Disadvantage

Disadvantage of Fourth Generation of Computer 

The latest technology is required for manufacturing of Microprocessors.

Fourth Generation of Computer List 

DEC 10 

STAR 1000 

PDP 11 

CRAY-1 (Super Computer) 

CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer) 

 Fifth Generation of Computer 

Fifth Generation of Computer is still running. Whose period is from 1980 till today’s date. This is the golden time of computer history. Where AI means Artificial Intelligence is going to change the world completely. Now VLSI Technologies has turned into ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology. Due to this technology, more than 10 million transistors are present in a microscope. A CPU has been transformed into a small chip. The Fifth Generation of Computer has the secret of Parallel Processing Hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence Technology). Once noticed, AI will know everywhere today. Like Mobile, Google Assistant, Image Recognition, Voice Search, Machine Learning, Spell Check, Expert in SYSTEM MEDICAL, Google Map. Because of this AI technology, today a computer is much faster than a human. AI means putting HUMAN brain into a computer. All high-level languages ​​come in this FIFTH generation. Technology under AI Robotics Neural Networks Game Playing Developing an Expert System to make decisions in real life situations, especially in the medical field. Natural language is the process of processing human language in a digital way like you are doing in Google Voice Search. ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology is being used in this generation. 

Advantages : Fifth Generation of Computer 

 These are various advantages of Fifth Generation of computer 

Artificial intelligence is being strengthened further. All the work is done on the concept of natural language processing. Parallel Processing is being done more. Superconductor technology is being upgraded further. Along with user-friendly interfaces, multimedia features are being given maximum importance. Because of the Voice Search, Image Recognition, deep learning, machine learning, this is the most different of the history of the fifth generation computer. 

 Fifth Generation of Computer List

Desktop 

Laptop 

Notebook 

UltraBook 

ChromeBook