Overview
First Generation Computers
The period of first generation was from 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 the installations used to fuse
frequently. Therefore, they were very expensive and only large organizations were able to
afford it.
In this generation, mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch cards, paper
tape, and magnetic tape was used as input and output devices. The computers in this generation
used machine code as the programming language.
The main features of the first generation are:
• Vacuum tube technology
• Unreliable
• Supported machine language only
• Very costly
• Generates lot of heat
• Slow input and output devices
• Huge size
• Need of AC
• Non-portable
• Consumes lot of electricity
Some computers of this generation were:
• ENIAC
• EDVAC
• UNIVAC
• IBM-701
• IBM-750
What is Computer?
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as an input from the user and
processes it under the control of a set of instructions (called program), produces a result
(output), and saves it for future use. This tutorial explains the foundational concepts of
computer hardware, software, operating systems, peripherals, etc. along with how to get the
most value and impact from computer technology.
Functionalities of a Computer
There are three basic functionalities of a Computer System and they are
1. Input
2. Process
3. Output
But if we look at it in a very broad sense, any digital computer carries out the following five
functions:
Step 1 – Takes data as input.
Step 2 – Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.
Step 3 – Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
Step 4 – Generates the output.
Step 5 – Controls all the above four steps.
Computer
Input Process Output
Advantages of computer
Following are certain advantages of computers.
High Speed
• Computer is a very fast device.
• It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
• The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the picosecond.
• It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will
spend many months to perform the same task.
Accuracy
• In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
• The calculations are 100% error free.
• Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is correct.
Storage Capability
• Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
• A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
• It can store large amount of data.
• It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.
Diligence
• Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
• It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
• It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.
Versatility
• A computer is a very versatile machine.
• A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
• This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.
• At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next
moment it may be playing a card game.
Reliability
• A computer is a reliable machine.
• Modern electronic components have long lives.
• Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
Automations
• Computer is an automatic machine.
• Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the computer
receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory, then the
program and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.
Reduction in Paper Work and Cost
• The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in paper
work and results in speeding up the process.
• As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of
maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.
• Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially reduces
the cost of each of its transaction.
Disadvantages of Computers
Following are certain disadvantages of computers.
No I.Q.
• A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
• Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
• A computer cannot take any decision on its own.
Dependency
• It functions as per the user’s instruction, thus it is fully dependent on humans.
Environment
• The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.
No feeling
• Computers have no feelings or emotions.
• It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge unlike human.
Fifth generation of Computer
The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, VLSI technology became
ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor
chips having ten million electronic
components.
This generation is based on parallel
processing hardware and AI (Artificial
Intelligence) software. AI is an
emerging branch in computer science,
which interprets the means and method
of making computers think like human
beings. All the high-level languages
like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used
in this generation.
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