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Assignment#1: First Generation Computers (1940-1956)

The document summarizes the key characteristics of first, second, and third generation computers. First generation computers used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums, were very large in size, consumed a lot of energy, and had limited capabilities. Second generation computers used transistors, were smaller but still required maintenance. Third generation computers used integrated circuits which made them smaller, more energy efficient, and able to use keyboards and monitors for input/output.

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Sidra Liaquat
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93 views

Assignment#1: First Generation Computers (1940-1956)

The document summarizes the key characteristics of first, second, and third generation computers. First generation computers used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums, were very large in size, consumed a lot of energy, and had limited capabilities. Second generation computers used transistors, were smaller but still required maintenance. Third generation computers used integrated circuits which made them smaller, more energy efficient, and able to use keyboards and monitors for input/output.

Uploaded by

Sidra Liaquat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assignment#1

First Generation Computers (1940-1956)


The First Generation of Computers used Vacuum Tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for
memory.

Vacuum Tubes:
Vacuum tube is a device generally used to amplify a signal by controlling the movement of
electrons in an evacuated space.

Technology:
The input to the computer was through punched cards and paper tapes. The output was displayed
through printouts.The instructions were written in machine language.Machine language uses 0s
and 1s for coding of the instructions.The first Generation computers could solve one problem at a
time.

Examples :
UNIVAC , ENIAC , EDVAC , IBM 700 , EDSAC

Advantages :
1-Vacuum tubes were the only electronic component available during those days.
2-Vacuum tubes technology made possible to make electronic digital computers.

3-These computers could calculate data in milliseconds.

Disadvantages :
1-These computers were very large in size.

2-They consumed a large amount of energy.

3-They heated very soon due to large amount of vacuum tubes.

4-They were not very reliable.

5-Air conditioning was required.

6-Consatant maintenance was required.

7-Non-portable.

8-Costly commercial production.

9-Limited commercial use.

10-Quite slow speed.

11-Limited programming capabilities.

12-Used machine language only.

14-Punch cards for input.

15-Not versatile.

16-Very faulty.

Second Generation Computers (1956 _ 1963)


These generation of computers used Transistors .

Transistors :
Transistors replaced the vacuum tubes of the first generation of computers. It is a small device
made up of semiconductor material of germanium and silicon.
Technology :
The second generation computers used magnetic core technology foe primary memory .They
used magnatic taps and magnatic disk for secondary storage .The input was still through punched
cards and the output using printouts.They used the concept of a stored program , where
instructions were stored in the memory of computer .The instructions were written using
assembly language .Assembly language uses mnemonics like ADD for addition and SUB for
subtraction for coding of the instructions.It is easier to write instructions in machine language
.High level programming language ,such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN were
also developed during this period.

Examples :
PDP-8 , IBM 1401 , CDC 1604 , IBM 360 , ATLAS and Mark III

Advantages :
1-Smaller in size than previous computers.

2-More reliable.

3-More energy-efficient.

4-Used less energy and were not heated.

5-Wider commercial use.

6-Better portability.

7-Better speed could calculate data in microseconds.

8-Used faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks, printer etc
9-Used assembly language instead of machine language.

10-Accuracy improved.

Disadvantages :
1-Air conditioning was required.

2-Constant maintenance was required.

3-Commercial production was difficult.

4-Only used for specific purposes.

5-Costly

6-Not versatile.

7-Punch cards were used for input.

Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)


This generation of computers used Integrated Circuits.

IC Chips :
The IC chip consists of multiple transistors placed on a silicon chip.Silicon is a type of
semiconductor.The use of IC Chips increased the the efficiency of computers to a great extent.

Technolgy:
The keyboard and monitor were used to interact with the third generation computer , instead of
the printouts and punched cards.The keyboard and the printer were interfaced with the operating
system.Operating system allowed different applications to run at the same time.High level
languages were used extensively for programming instead of machine language and assembly
language.

Examples :
IBM 370 , PDP 8 , PDP 11 , IBM 360 , ICL 2900

Advantages :
1-Smaller in size as compared to previous generation.

2-More reliable.

3-Less energy used.

4-Produced less heat as compared to previous generation computers.

5-More good speed could calculate data in nanoseconds.

6-Used fan for heat discharge to prevent damage.

7-Maintenance cost was low because hardware failure is rare.

8-Totally general purpose.

9-Could be used for high level languages.

10-Good storage.

11-Versatile to an extent.

12-Less expensive.

13-Better accuracy.

14-Commercial production increased.

15-Used mouse, keyboard for input.

Disadvantages :
1-Air conditioning was required.

2-High sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC Chips.

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