Question

Discuss the technological and storage differences in the generation of Computer Hardware with a real-life example?

Answer 1

Technological and storage differences in the generation of Computer Hardware are as follows:

First Generation

First generation of computers, starts from 1942 and ends in year 1954. Initially, the computers were built using vacuum tubes. Vacuum Tubes act as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU(Central Processing Unit). This component is like a light bulb, which generates a huge amount of heat and therefore, first generation computers were prone to frequent fusing of the installations. Hence, they were very expensive and not affordable by individuals and small organisations. The technology used in the computer systems was batch processing operating system with input/output devices like-Punched cards, Paper tape, Magnetic tape etc. The computers were programmed with the help of Machine code and electric wired board languages.

Second Generation

Second generation of computers, starts from 1952 and ends in year 1964. In this generation computers were built using transistors. This is the reason why they were affordable, used less power, were compact in size, more reliable and faster than the first generation computers. As primary memory, Magnetic cores were used and for secondary storage magnetic tapes and magnetic disks were employed. The computers were programmed with the help of assembly language and other programming language like FORTRAN and COBOL. Along with Batch processing, Multi-programming Operating systems were used.

Third Generation

Second generation of computers, starts from 1964 and ends in year 1972. In this generation computers were built using Integrated Circuits. An I.C. consists of transistors, resistors and capacitors with associated circuitry. In this generation computers became smaller in size, reliable and more efficient as compared to second generation computers. In this generation the operating systems used were Remote processing, Time-sharing, Real-time and Multi-programming Operating System. Many programming languages came into existence at this time like-FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.

Fourth Generation

Second generation of computers, starts from 1972 and ends in year 1990. In this generation computers were built using Very Large Scale Integrated circuits(VLSI). VLSI circuits consist of around 5000 transistors and other elements of the circuit. All this associated on a single chip helped microcomputers of fourth generation to come into existence. These computers proved to be more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable giving rise to personal computer (PC) revolution. In this generation Operating System used were-Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed Operating Systems. Many programming languages came into existence at this time like-C and C++, DATABASE etc.

Fifth Generation

Second generation of computers, starts from 1990 and still going on. In this generation computers are built using ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology. This resulted in the production of microprocessor chips. In one microprocessor there are ten million electronic components. In this generation parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) softwares are used. In this generation we are using all the Higher level languages like C and C++, Java.