GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER The steps of technological differences are called generation.

In 1941 German engineers had developed a computer named Z3 to design airplanes and missiles. In 1943 the British made a computer named Colossus to break secret codes during World War II. In 1944, an American Howard A. Aiken, professor of Harvard University, made the electromechanical computer, Mark I. It was about 51 feet long and 8 feet high. It was a slow machine. Over 3000 electrical actuated switches were used to control its operations. In 1946, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was made by Dr. John W. Mauchly collaborated with J presper Eckert, Jr. at the University of Pennsylvania. It was 1000 times faster then Mark I. It occupied 15000 square feet of floor spacing and weighs 30 tons. The ENIAC could do additions per minute. John Von Neumann designed the EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer).The key element of the Von Neumann architecture was the central processing unit, which allowed all computer functions to be coordinated in binary from (0 & 1). In 1951, UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer UNIVAC-1) built by Dr. Mauchly and Eckert for Remington Rand Corporation, and installed in the U.S. Bureau of the Census, became one of the first commercially available computers.

FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS (1942 1955) First generation computers were characterized by the fact that operating instructions were made-to-order for the specific task for which the computer was to be used. Each computer had a different binary coded program called machine language that told it how to operate. This made the computer difficult to program and limited its versatility and speed. The distinct features of first generation computers we re: Vacuum tubes: Vacuum tubes were the fragile glass devices that can control and amplify electronic signals. Operating instructions: Operating instructions were used to operate computers for specific tasks. Machine language: Different binary coded programs for different computers that told a computer how to operate . Examples: ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, etc belongs to first generation computers. Advantages: 1. Vacuum tubes were the only electronic components available during those days. 2. Vacuum tube technology made possible the advent of that time. They could perform computations in milliseconds.

Disadvantages: 1. First generation computers were too large in size. 2. Unreliable. 3. Thousands of vacuum tubes were used to produce large amount of heat and burnt out frequently. 4. Air conditioning required. 5. Prone to frequent hardware failures. 6. Non-portable. 7. Constant maintenance required. 8. Commercial production was difficult and costly. 9. Limited commercial use.

SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS (1955-1964) In 1948 with the invention of transistors, Vacuum tubes were replaced with transistors. As a result, the size of electronic machinery has been shrunk. Second generation computers replaced machine language with Assembly language allowing abbreviated program ming codes to replace long difficult binary codes. More sophisticated high level languages such as COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) and FORTRAN (formula translator) came into common use during this time. Advantages: 1. 2. 3. 4. Smaller in size as compared to first generation computers. More reliable. Less heat generated. These computers were able to reduce computational times from millisecond to microseconds. 5. Less prone to hardware failures. Disadvantages:

1. Air conditioning require d. 2. Frequent maintenance required. 3. Manual assembly of individual components into a functioning order was required. 4. Commercial production was difficult and costly. THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS (1964-1975) The invention of the silicon IC (Integrated Circuit) by Robert Noyce in 1958 allowed dozens of transistors to be put on a single chip. This packaging made it possible to build computers that were smaller, faster and cheaper than their transistorized predecessors. Another third generation development included the use of an operating system that allowed machine to run many different programs at once with a central program that monitored and coordinated the computers memory.

Advantages: 1. Smaller in size as compared to previous generation computers. 2. Even more reliable than second -generation computers. 3. Working speed of these computers was faster as compared to previous computers. 4. Maintenance cost was low. 5. Easily movable. 6. Totally general purpose and widely used for various commercial applications all over the world. 7. Less power requirement than previous generation computers. 8. Commercial production was easier and cheaper. Disadvantages: 1. Air conditioning required in many cases. 2. Highly difficult technology required for the ma nufacture of IC chips. FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS(1975-PRESENT) After the integrated circuits the only place to go was down in size, (i.e. large scale integration LSI could fit hundreds of components onto one chip). By the 1980s very large scale integration (VLSI) squeezed hundreds of thousands of components on to a chip. Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) increased that number into the millions. It increased their power, efficiency and reliability. Intel made a chip named 4004 in 1971 on which a central processing unit, memory and input /out put controls were made. IBM introduced its personal computer for use in 1981. The number of personal computers in use was 2 million in 1981 and increased to 5.5 million in 1982. Macintosh introduced an operating system that allowed users to move screen icons instead of typing instructions. As smaller computers became more powerful, they could be linked together or networked to share memory space, software information and communicate with each other as opposed to a mainframe or mini computer. Computers were linked together by using either direct wiring called a Local Area Network (LAN) or telephone lines called internet. Advantages: 1. Smallest in size because of high components density. 2. Very reliable. 3. Heat generation is low. 4. No air conditioning required in most cases. 5. Much faster in computation than previous generations. 6. Hardware failure is miner. 7. Easily portable because of their small size. 8. Totally general purpose. 9. Big memory. 10. Cheapest among all generations .

Disadvantages:

1. Highly difficult technology is required for the manufacturing of microprocessor chip.

FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS (PRESENT-BEYOND) The most famous example of a fifth generation computer is the fictional HAL 9000 from Arthur C. Clarkes Novel, 2001 a space odyssey. HAL could reason well enough to hold conversations with its human operators, use visual input, and learn from its own experiences. Using recent engineering advances, computer is able to accept spoken word instructions (voice recognition) and reproduce human reasoning. The ability to translate a foreign language is also moderately possible with fifth generation computers. Advancement in engineering is parallel processing which replaces Von Neumanns single processing unit design with a system harnessing the power of many CPUs to work as one. Advancement in superconductor technology, which allows the flow of electricity with little or no resistance, greatly improves the speed of information flow. Now a days technological revolution is changing our ways of life; the way we live, work and play. Computer is changing the ways we communicate, do business and learn about the differe nt branches of education, knowledge is nowadays more accessible due to advancement in computer technology.

Computer Hardware and Softwares

Computer Hardware: The Devices attached physically to the Computer System are known as computer Hardware, like Mouse Key board, and Monitor etc.

Computer Softwares:
The Program Used for running of a computer or other peripherial devices is known as computer softwares There are two types of computer softwares 1 application software s 2 System softwares.

Hardware consists of I/O Devices:

Any machine that feeds data into a computer. For example, a keyboard is an input device, whereas a display monitor is an output device. Input devices other than the keyboard are sometimes called alternate input devices. Mice, trackballs, and light pens are all alternate input devices
Monitors: There are two main types of monitor: the CRT (cathode ray tube) and LCD (liquid crystal display). A CRT monitor looks like a television screen, and works in a similar way to a TV or a scanner. A beam of electrons is fired from a gun at the back of the tube onto a glass screen on the front

Printers

You probably also own a printer. Many computers now come with them as part of a package. There are two main types in use today: inkjets and lasers.
Plotters

A plotter is a special type of printing device mostly used by architects, engineers and map makers. Here the printed output is produced by moving a pen across the paper. Sometimes several differently coloured pens are available
Loudspeakers

Speakers also produce an analogue output. The audio program inside the boundary converts the digital encoding of the sound to a series of electrical pulses that are sent to the speaker, where they cause a cone of stiffened paper (or some synthetic material) to vibrate in and out

Mice, Keyboards, and Connection types explained Mice Keyboards Connection Types Every PC user needs a number of input devices to allow them to interact with the PC the most commonly used are the mouse and keyboard others include scanners and graphics tablets. Joysticks and Gaming pads are also known as input devices.

Mice Allows us to navigate around our systems easily. The standard mice are the ones with a ball and roller system. This are fine the only drawbacks can be they can collect dirt and grime and require cleaning.

Optical Mice are now pretty standard. As with all mice they come in various colours and sizes, instead of a ball and roller. They work by shining a light beam onto the desk or mouse mat surface. Trackball - these use a ball mounted on the mouse unit these allow your hand to mould round the unit and use your thumb or finger to move a marble or ball to move the pointer around the screen.

Cordless/Wireless - Instead of using the normal cable method, these normally use either infa-red or Bluetooth. The PC has a receiver connected via USB with the mouse housing a transmitter. These allow for greater freedom and can be operated from a distance. Keyboards These are traditionally corded although many are now moving towards being cordless.

These can include many programmable buttons which you can setup fo r bookmarks or to launch favourite programs. Connection Methods/Types

System Units It is in the system unit that the computer program instructions are executed and data is manipulated. The system unit includes the central processing unit (CPU), or processor, and the main memory, among other things. The CPU contains a control unit that executes the program instructions, and an arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) which performs mathematic and logic operations including calculations such as addition, subtracti on, multiplication, and division. Main Memory Main memory, or primary storage, refers to the integrated circuits (G) that store program instructions and data that can be retrieved. Memory chips (G) are installed in the system and on circuit boards (G). Mai n memory stores three items: the operating system (G) and other system software (G) that direct and coordinate the computer equipment; the application program (G) instructions that direct the work to be done; and the data currently being processed by application programs. The two most common types of memory chips are Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM).
1. Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM is the name given to integrated circuits, or chips, that are used for main memory. It is the temporary memory that allows you to run applications. When a computer is turned off, data stored in RAM memory is erased, therefore RAM memory is volatile. Programs that need to be saved should be transferred to secondary storage before the power is turned off. A new type of memory called flash RAM or flash memory can now retain data even when the power is turned off. Many applications require specific amounts of RAM to work, fortunately, more memory can be added.
2. Read Only Memory (ROM)

ROM is the name given to chips that store information or instructions that do not change. An example would be the instructions and data used when a computer is first turned on. The contents of ROM memory are retained when the power is shut off, therefore it is nonvolatile. The data or programs stored in ROM can not be altered, only read. Instructions that are stored in memory are called firmware or microcode. Examples of computers that use ROM memory are the special-purpose computers used in automobiles and appliances.
3. Cache Memory

Cache memory is a special type of buffer (G) memory that holds a copy of data or instructions in main memory if they are likely to be needed by the next processor. It generally increases the speed at which data and instructions can be accessed and therefore the sp eed at which the task is completed. Special software is required for cache memory

Perminent Memory: Hard Drive: The Hard Drive is usually inside the case with the CPU. This is a drive that stores most of your programs and files. They come in various sizes . Some computers have more than one hard drive. Floppy Disk / Diskette Drive: The Diskette Drive can come in two sizes, but 3.5" diskettes are far more common. CD-ROM: The CD-ROM Drive is a drive to run CD-ROMs. It looks much like an audio CD player. This drive can again be in the CPU case or attached as a peripheral device. It has a button that you push to open and close the drawer, which has a circular slot that you put the CD into. Some computers don't have CD drives

THE END

TOPIC:

Generations of Computers.

Submitted to: Madam Gul Jabeen Submitted by: Asim Iqbal BSc(Hons) Earth Sciences Semester 2nd

Dated 18th Nov 2008

Department of Earth Sciences