Activity 1 The Five Generations of Computers - Class V

The Five Generations of Computers

A **generation** in computer technology refers to a major advancement or improvement in the development of a product. Each phase of computer development is known as a separate generation.

First Generation Computers (1946-1959)

Key Technology: Vacuum Tubes

These computers were massive, slow, expensive, and often unreliable. They used large vacuum tubes, which took up a lot of space and generated a lot of heat. The **ENIAC** was a famous example from this era.

Examples:

• ENIAC
• EDVAC
• UNIVAC
• IBM-701

Limitations:

• They were very large (the ENIAC was 30 x 50 feet).
• They had extremely high power consumption.
• They could store only a small amount of information.
• Their work efficiency was very poor.

Second Generation Computers (1959-1965)

Key Technology: Transistors

This generation replaced vacuum tubes with **transistors**, which were faster, smaller, more reliable, and much cheaper. This was a huge step forward in computer technology.

Examples:

• IBM 7094
• CDC 1604
• UNIVAC 1108

Limitations:

• Transistors still produced excess heat, so air conditioning was required.
• The computers needed frequent maintenance because transistors would burn out.
• They could only be used for specific purposes.

Third Generation Computers (1965-1971)

Key Technology: Integrated Circuits (IC)

This generation introduced the **Integrated Circuit (IC)**, also known as a chip. An IC contained many transistors and other components sealed together in a small package. This led to much higher speeds and larger storage capacities at a lower price.

Examples:

• PDP-8
• PDP-11
• IBM 360

Limitations:

• Air conditioning was still required.
• IC chips were difficult to maintain.
• Manufacturing IC chips required highly sophisticated technology.

Fourth Generation Computers (1971-1980)

Key Technology: Microprocessors and VLSI

This generation gave us the modern computers we use today. They are defined by the use of **microprocessors** and **Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)** technology, which packed millions of components onto a single chip. This era also introduced the Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Examples:

• IBM 4341
• DEC 10
• STAR 100

Limitations:

• Air conditioning is still often required.
• Advanced technology is needed to create these complex chips.
• The design and fabrication of microprocessors are very complex.

Fifth Generation Computers (1980-onwards)

Key Technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The main goal of this generation is to create computers that can think, learn, and make decisions on their own, just like humans. These computers are designed to respond to natural language and be more intelligent and reliable.

Examples:

• Desktops
• Laptops
• Notebooks

Limitations:

• These computers require very low-level languages for programming.
• Over-reliance on this technology may make human brains less sharp.