CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS I - BY GENERATION (FIRST TERM)

 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS (I)

Computers can be classified into four:

 1.  By generation

2.  By type

3.  By size

4.  By purpose

 By Generation:

A. First Generation Computer

1.  First Generation (1940 – 1956 ):

 They were developed during the second world war to design flying bombs and missiles for the war. Examples are Colossus, ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC, etc.

Features

1. It uses vacuum tubes 
2. They are very big
3. It generates lots of heat 
4. They are very slow in processing information It uses a magnetic drum for memory
5. They occupy large space
6. It uses punch cards for input and output

2.  Second Generation (1956 – 1963):

 
These computers use transistors in place of vacuum tubes after the second world war e.g. IBM 7090.

Features

1. It uses transistors
2. It is smaller in size
3. Faster in processing information
4. It is cheaper to get
5. It consumes less energy
6. More reliable
7. It uses punch cards for input and output

3.  Third Generation (1964 – 1971 ):

They are I.Cs (Integrated Circuit) computers. Transistors are minimized and placed on silicon chips.

Features

1. It uses integrated circuit
2. Keyboard and monitors were used as input and output devices It uses an operating system eg: Microsoft OS, Mac OS etc.
3. Enhanced processing speed

4.  Fourth Generation (1972 – 1989):

This generation of computer uses a microprocessor, the era of CPU came to surface. Example: Micro Computer.

A Micro-Processor

Features

1.  It uses microprocessors
2. ADA programming language was developed It is a personal system 

5.  Fifth Generation (1991 – date):

These computers use artificial intelligence. They have voice recognition and are capable of doing more work e.g. Robot.