Alfelor Sr. Memorial College Inc.

Poblacion Zone II, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur

Information Technology

The Evolution of Computers

Submitted by:
Claire Diane T. Gob
BSBA-Finance 201

Submitted to:
Mr. Alfred Santos
Instructor
Evolution of Computers [Generations of Computers]
Computer generation is a classification of computers into different groups according to their
manufacturing date, memory device, software and hardware technologies. There are five
generations of computers. They are as follow:

1. First Generation (1942-1955)

2. Second Generation (1955-1964)
3. Third Generation (1964-1975)
4. Fourth Generation (1975-1989)
5. Fifth Generation (1989-Present)

1. The First-Generation Computers (1945-1956 AD)

First-generation computers bore little resemblance to today’s computers, either in appearance
or performance. The first generation of computers occurred from 1940 AD to 1956 AD and was
extremely large in size. The internal workings of the computers at that time were
unsophisticated. These early machines required vacuum tubes that worked as switches,
amplifiers, and magnetic drums for memory. The paper tapes and punch cards were used for
input and printouts for output.

Vacuum Tubes

The vacuum tubes were primarily responsible for the large size of the devices and the
enormous amounts of heat that they released despite large cooling units. First-generation
computers also used a very basic programming language that is referred to as machine
language.

Features of First-Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of first-generation computers −

 It was a large mainframe built with vacuum tube technology.

 It occupied large space, was low efficiency and unreliable due to low accuracy.
 The power consumption was very high, and it produced massive heat.
 The operation of speed was in milliseconds.
 It was used only for scientific or research purposes.
  Low-level programming language was used in computers.
 They were very slow.

Limitations of First-Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of first-generation computers −

 The computer needed an air conditioner room, and constant maintenance.

 They were not portable.
 It was expensive commercial product.
 They have minimum programming capabilities.
 The computers have limited uses only.

Examples of First-Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the first-generation computer are as follows:

1. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator)

2. EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic)
3. UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computers)
4. IBM-701
5. IBM-650

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) (1943-46 AD)

The Electronic Numerical Integratora And Calculator (ENIAC) was the first all-electronic
computer. It was constructed at the Moore School of Engineering of the University of
Pennsylvania, U.S.A., by a design team led by Professors J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.

The team developed ENIAC because of military needs. It was used for many years to solve
ballistic-related problems. ENIAC took up wall space in a 20 x 40 square feet room and used
18,000 vacuum tubes. It could add two numbers in 200 microseconds and multiply them in 2000
microseconds.
EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic) (1946-52 AD)
A major disadvantage of ENIAC was that its programs
were wired on boards which made it difficult to change
the programs. Dr. John Von Neumann later introduced
the ―stored program concept that aided overcome this
problem. The basic idea after this concept is that a
sequence of instructions and data can be stored in a
computer’s memory to direct operations flow
automatically. This feature largely influenced the
development of modern digital computers because of
how various programs can be loaded and executed on
the same computer. Because of this feature, we usually
refer to modern digital computers as stored-program
digital computers.

The Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer

(EDVAC) used the stored’ program concept in its design.
Von Neumann also has a share of the credit for
introducing the idea of storing both instructions and data in binary form (a system that uses only
two digits – 0 and 1 to represent all characters), instead of decimal numbers or human-readable
words.

UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computers) (1951)

The Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) was the first digital computer that was not ―one
of a kind. Many UNIVAC machines were manufactured, the first of which was installed in the
Census Bureau in 1951 and was used continually for 10 years.

In 1952, the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation introduced the IBM-
701 commercial computer. In quick succession, improved models of the UNIVAC I and other
IBM 700-series machines were introduced. In 1953, IBM produced the IBM-650 and sold over
1000 computers.
2. Second Generation Computers (1956-1963 AD)
The interest in computer technology got fast after the first-generation computers. It was the
generation of Transistorized Computers. Transistors replaced vacuum tubes from the first-
generation computers. As a result, first-generation computers were replaced by second-
generation computers.

The transistors were more reliable than vacuum tubes, smaller in size, faster in speed, and
cheaper than first-generation computers. Magnetic drums are replaced by magnetic disks and
magnetic tape for secondary storage. As a result, the size of the machines began shrinking.

Transistors

The first transistorized computer was TX-0. The first large-scale machines that took advantage
of the transistor technology were the early supercomputers, LARC by Sperry Rand and Stretch
by IBM. These machines were specially developed for atomic energy laboratories. IBM 1400
and IBM 7000 series, General Electric, and Honeywell 200 were the typical computers of the
second generation.

IBM 1401 was accepted throughout the industry, and most prominent businesses routinely
processed financial information using second-generation computers. The machine language
was replaced by assembly language. Thus, the long and challenging binary code was replaced
with abbreviated programming code, which was relatively easy to understand.

The programming languages and stored program concept gave the computers flexibility to be
cost-effective and productive for business use. The stored program concept implied that the
instructions to run a computer for a specific task were held inside the computer’s memory and
could quickly be modified or replaced by a different set of instructions for a different function.
High-level languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, and AL- GOL were developed. Computers
started finding varied and vast applications. The entire software industry began with second-
generation computers.

Features of Second-Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of second-generation computers −

 This generation’s most significant feature was introducing transistors that make the size
smaller than the first-generation computer.
 The computer was much faster, more reliable, and better speed and could handle
enormous data than first-generation computers.
 The machine-level language was replaced by assembly language and machine-
independent language such as COBOL FORTRAN to simplify programming.
 The significant change is in speed from millisecond to microsecond.
 The computer consumes less electrical power than a first-generation computer.
 The computer is widely used in commercial areas.

Limitations of Second-Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of second-generation computers −

 It still used a cooling system to cool down the computer.

 It needs constant maintenance.
 Punch cards are still used for inputs.
 It was still costly and versatile.

Examples of Second-Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the second-generation computer are as follows:

1. IBM 1401 (Used in Business Application)

2. IBM 1620 (Used for Scientific Purposes)
3. CDC 3600 (Used for Scientific Purposes)
4. IBM 7000
5. Honeywell 200
3. Third Generation Computers (1964-1971 AD)

Its period was around 1964 to 1971. Third-generation computers were characterized by the
invention of Integrated Circuits (ICs). IC is a silicon chip made from quartz where multiple
transistors were placed over it. Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby developed IC at Texas Instrument
in 1958-1959. Later, even more components were rigged onto a single chip, called
a semiconductor. It reduced the size even further in the third-generation computers.
Computers’ weight and power consumption decreased, and the speed boosted.

Integrated Circuit

Operating systems were created, allowing the machine to run many different programs
simultaneously. Multiprogramming was made possible, whereby the device could perform
several jobs simultaneously.

Computers gained the speed of executing millions of instructions per second. Commercial
production became more accessible and cheaper. Higher-level languages like Pascal and
Report Program Generator (RPG) were introduced. And applications-oriented languages like
FORTRAN, COBOL, and PL/1 were developed. Keyboards and mouse were introduced for the
input of data. The monitor was introduced for the output of data.

Features of Third Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of third generation computers −

 IC was used in the computer, replacing transistors.

 The mass audience was using computers.
 The computers were highly reliable, relatively inexpensive, faster, and more accurate.
 It can be operated with low energy, and maintenance cost was low also.
 The keyboard and monitor were introduced for data input and output.
 It had a more prominent space capacity.
  A computer has more high-level computer language such as ALGOL-68, FORTRAN-II
TO IV, BASIC, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1.
 They were produced commercially and was cheaper than both generations of computer.

Limitations of Third Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of third generation computers −

 Still, the air conditioner is used for cooling purposes.

 Highly sophisticated technology was required for the maintenance of the ICS chip.
 For third-generation computers, formal training was needed.

Examples of Third Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the third-generation computer are as follows:

1. IBM 360 SERIES

2. IBM 370
3. UNIVAC 1108
4. UNIVAC AC 9000
5. PDP-8, PDP-11
6. ICL 2900 series, and so on.
4. Fourth Generation Computers (1971 – Present)
The fourth-generation computers were developed from 1971 to 1990 AD. The present-day
computer we see is the fourth generation of computers. The third-generation computers used
Integrated Circuits with 10-20 components on each chip; this was Small Scale Integration
(SSI). The Fourth Generation acknowledged Large Scale Integration (LSI), which could hold
hundreds of components on one chip, and Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI), which
embraced thousands of components on one silicon chip.

The Intel 4004 chip hold all the components of a computer (central processing unit (CPU), input
and output controls, memory unit) on a single chip called a Microprocessor, and
microcomputers were introduced.

Microprocessor

In this generation, the concept of computer networks and CD-ROMS come into existence. GUI
and pointing devices facilitate easy use and learning on the computer. Many new operating
systems like the MS-DOS and MS-Windows developed during this time. Computer production
became affordable, and the era of Personal Computers (PCs) began.

In 1981, IBM introduced its personal computer for home, office, and schools. In direct
competition, the Macintosh was introduced in 1984 by Apple. Shared interactive systems and
user-friendly environments were the features of these computers.

Features of Fourth Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of fourth generation computers −

 Computer sizes change from desktop to laptop and from laptop to palmtop.
 Electronic Mail (E-mail) and the Internet were developed in this generation.
 The computer is used for all scientific, engineering, and commercial purposes.
 On the computer, we can perform multiprocessing and multitasking.
  The computer has GUI (Graphical User Interface) and is user-friendly.
 Multiple high-level languages like PASCAL, BASIC COBOL, FORTRAN, and C language
were developed in this generation of computers.
 They emerged as single-board computers and a single-chip processor called
Microprocessors.

Limitations of Fourth Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of fourth generation computers −

 They were highly sophisticated.

 The manufacturing of a Very Large-Scale Integration Chip needed very advanced
technology.

Examples of Fourth Generation Computers

Some of the examples of the fourth-generation computer are as follows:

1. MAC Notebook
2. IBM-PC
3. Pentium I, II & III
4. Apple II
5. VAX 9000
6. CRAY 1
5. Fifth Generation Computers (Present – Future)
Defining the fifth generation of computers is tricky because the field is still in its infancy.
Tomorrow’s computers would be characterized by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ULSI (Ultra
Large-Scale Integration) technology that can store millions of components in a single chip. An
example of Al is Expert Systems. Computers could be developed to think and sense much the
same way as humans. Computers would be able to accept verbal words as input (voice
recognition).

Numerous advancements in the science of computer design and technology are coming
together to enable the creation of fifth-generation computers. Two such advances are
in superconductor technology that allows electricity flow with little or no resistance,
significantly enhancing the speed of information flow, and advances in parallel
processing, where many CPUs work as one.

Scientists are now working on fifth-generation computers – a promise but not yet a reality. They
seek to bring us machines with genuine I.Q., the ability to reason logically, and real-world
knowledge.

Features of Fifth Generation Computers

Following are some of the features of fifth generation computers −

 These machines will incorporate ULSI (Ultra Large-Scale Integration).

 It can perform a large number of parallel processing.
 The speed of this generation of computers is going to be very high.
 Bio-chips and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) are used as memory devices.
 The concept of AI (Artificial Intelligence) has been introduced.
 This generation of computers can understand human language and recognize pictures
and graphs.

Limitations of Fifth Generation Computers

Following are some of the limitations of fifth generation computers −

 The major limitation of this generation is that the computer will overtake all employment,
creating unemployment in the country.
 The highly advanced robots can overtake the world, which leads to destruction for
humans.