COMPUTER

DEFINITION

Computer is

programmable machine that receives input, stores and manipulates data/information and provides output in a useful format.

HISTORY : GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

First Generation
Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation

Fifth Generation

FIRST GENERATION
1946 1955 Used Vacuum tubes for circuitry and Magnetic drums for

memory Relied on Machine Language Used Punched cards and Paper tapes for Input Output in Printed form UNIVAC I, EDSAC,EDVAC,ENIAC are first generation computers Characteristics Occupies more space and clumsy Consumes more electricity Dissipates more heat and hence requires large air conditioners for cooling Very low reliability

SECOND GENERATION

1956 1964 Transistors replaced Vacuum tubes Moved from Magnetic drum to Magnetic core technology for memory Moved from Machine language to Assembly Languages, which allowed the programmers to write instructions in words. Used Punched cards and Paper tapes for Input Output in Printed form Magnetic tapes are used for Secondary storage High level languages were also being developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. IBM System/360 (Mainframe) , PDP 8 (Minicomputer) are second generation computers Characteristics Computers became smaller in size Consumes less electricity More reliable and faster Time sharing processing

THIRD GENERATION
1965 1974 Integrated circuits (SSI, MSI, LSI)

Integrated circuits are miniaturized Transistors placed

on small silicon chip Instead of punch cards and Printouts, user interacted with computer through keyboard and Monitor Characteristics Drastically increased speed and efficiency Smaller and Cheaper than predecessors

FOURTH GENERATION
1975 1998 Microprocessors (VLSI)

Development of GUI (Graphical user Interface),

mouse and hand held devices Development in Data communication i.e. Networking, Internet Development of Micro computers such as Intel 8088 (16 bit), Intel 80386 (32 bit) Development of Embedded computers - Intel 8048, Intel 8051 Development of Personal Computers (Desktops, Laptops, Portable computers, PDAs,Tablet PC) Different types of Secondary memory with high storage capacity and fast access are developed Ex:

FIFTH GENERATION
1998 PRESENT Based on Artificial Intelligence

Problem solving, Expert Systems, Natural Language

Technological Advances that could make development of fifth generation computers: Parallel processing Many processors are grouped to function as one large processor Super conductors is a conductor through which electricity can travel without any resistance, resulting in faster transfer of data/information between components of a computer. Applications Speech Recognition, Robotics, Quantum computer, DNA computing, etc.,

TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Classification by Size and Power Micro Computers (Personal Computers) Mini Computers (Midrange Computers) A multi user computer capable of supporting up to hundreds of users simultaneously) Mainframe Computers - A powerful multi user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously) Super Computers Are fastest and very expensive computers employed for specialized applications that require immense amount of Mathematical calculations. For Ex: Weather forecast, Scientific Simulations, Fluid dynamics etc.,

TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Classification by Function Servers Usually refer to a computer that is dedicated to provide a service. Ex: Database server, File server, Web server etc., Workstations A powerful single user computer (personal computer) with some hardware enhancements Embedded Computers (are computers that are usually part of a device or machine. Embedded computers generally execute a program that is stored in Non-volatile memory and is only intended to operate a specific machine Ex: Washing Machine, DVD Player etc.,)

HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL

VIKAS PATHAK