Computer

architecture
THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF COMPUTER
ARCHITECTURE

Presented to : Asma
Ali
Presented by : sir
Noman
Today we are discussing the historical perspective of computer
architecture which consist of 5 generations.

1st Generation: Around the 1940s to early 1950s

2nd Generation: Early 1950s to late 1950s

3rd Generation: Late 1950s to mid-1960s

4th Generation: Mid-1960s to early 1980s

5th Generation: Early 1980s to present

1st Generation:
Around the 1940s to early
1950s
The first generation computers took their first step into the world
of technology. This period started from the 1940s and continued
till the 1950s. During this period vacuum tubes were used which
were used to run computers.
What is vacuum tubes
Vacuum tubes are also known as "valves". These are
electronic devices which control electricity. valve is a
device that controls the flow of electrical current during
a high vacuum between electrodes so that an electrical
potential has been applied. Vacuum Tubes were
employed in the first generation of computers to
perform calculations.
Examples of First Generation
Computer
ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by
J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose
computer

EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was

designed by von Neumann. It could store data also as instruction

UNIVAC: It was the world’s 1st commercially electronic

computing device. it absolutely was created by Eckert and
Mauchly in 1947.

Advantages of First Generation Computer

Increased Calculation Speed
Reliable Results
Disadvantages
Computers were larger.
Not transportable.
Limited programming capabilities.
 first generation language?

The first generation language was machine language

2nd Generation:
Early 1950s to late 1950s
The second generation computers were used during 1957-1963.
They are also known as transistor computers. The second
generation of computers consists of two types of devices,
transistors, and magnetic core. The transistors helped to develop a
better computer than the first generation computers consisting of
vacuum tubes. Some second generation of computers are IBM
1920, IBM 7094,

Characteristics of the second generation

Smaller in size: The Second generation of computers are much more

smaller in size than the first generation computers.

Power/ Energy Requirement: The second generation of computers

requires less amount of energy (i.e. electricity) compared to the first
generation of computers
Advantages of second-generation computers:
They are smaller in size as compare to the first generation.
It is more reliable
Uses less power and generates less heat.

Disadvantages:
They generate less heat but still require a cooling system.
They require frequent maintenance.
The commercial production of second generation computers is difficult.
They are used only for some specific purpose.

second generation language?

The second generation language was assembly
language
Third Generation:
Late 1950s to mid-1960s
Third generation computers are advance from first and
second generation computers. The third generation
computer was started in 1965 and ended around 1971.
Third generation computers start using integrated
circuits instead of transistors. The integrated circuit (IC)
is a semiconductor material, that contains thousands of
transistors miniaturized in it. With the help of IC, the
computer becomes more reliable, fast, required less
maintenance, small in size, generates less heat, and is
less expensive. It was developed by Robert Noyce of
Fairchild in 1958. The third generation computers
reduce the computational time.
Characteristics of Third Generation
Computers:

the third generation computers were more reliable, fast, efficient,

less expensive, and smaller in size.

In third generation computers, high-level programming languages

were used such as BASIC, PASCAL, ALGOL-68,

The punch cards were replaced with mouse and keyboards.

The computers have high storage capacity.

Advantages of Third Generation Computers:

A single integrated circuit (IC) contains transistors, resistors,
condensers, condensers, etc.

Due to this third generation computers have less hardware failure as

compare to previous generations.
Disadvantages:
These computers still required air conditioning.

To manufacture IC, highly sophisticated technology was required.

Maintaining IC chips were difficult.

which language used?

The high level programming language such as BASIC, PASCAL, ALGOL-68,

COBOL, FORTRAN – II was used in third generation computers.
4th Generation:
Mid-1960s to early 1980s
After third-generation computers, which mostly
utilized microprocessors, fourth-generation
computers were released in 1972. VLSI
technology, or Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI)
circuits, was employed in these computers. As a
result, they were dubbed microprocessors. A
microprocessor is made up of thousands of
integrated circuits that are assembled on a single
chip known as a silicon chip. A microprocessor with
serial numbers is used in fourth-generation computers.
The serial numbers show the computer’s functionality as
well as its speed. This generation produced the first
“personal computer,” or PC, developed by IBM.
Architecture:
The fourth generation of computers contains five separate units and
they are input, arithmetic and logic, memory, output, and control
units. The physical location of the computer’s functional unit is
depicted in the diagram below. Users enter data (digital information)
into the unit using input devices such as a mouse, keyboard,
microphone, and so on.

Features of Fourth Generation

Computers
Following are the features of fourth-generation computers

microcomputers became the most affordable.

Handheld computers have grown in popularity and cost.

networking between systems was invented and became

commonplace.
Advantages Fourth Generation of
Computer
Smaller and more dependable than previous generations of
computers.
There was very little heat generated.
In many circumstances, the fourth-generation computer does not
require a cooling system.
Portable and less expensive than previous versions.

Disadvantages
Only ICs can be made with a high-quality and reliable system or
technology.

Microprocessors must be manufactured using cutting-edge

technology, which necessitates the use of a cooler (fan).
 5th Generation:
 Early 1980s to present
Fifth-generation computers were introduced
after the fourth-generation computers were
invented. Fifth-generation computers, also
known as modern computers, are still in the
development stage and are based on artificial
intelligence In 1982.
This is the most recent and technologically
advanced computer generation. Modern high-
level languages such as Python, R, C#, Java, and
others are used as input methods.
The fundamental goal of this system is to make
development in artificial intelligence

The usage of AI, which helps to make

computers more powerful, is one of the primary
elements of 5th generation computers.
 Features of Fifth-generation
Computers
 The fifth-generation computer includes more user-
friendly interfaces and multimedia functions.

 These PCs can be purchased for a lower price.

 Computers that are more portable and powerful.

 Computers are dependable and less expensive.

 It’s easier to manufacture in a commercial setting.

 Desktop computers are straightforward to operate.

 Mainframe computers are extremely efficient.

Advantages of Fifth Generation of
Computer
These computers are far quicker than previous generations.

These computers are simpler to repair.

They are lightweight and easy to move.

True artificial intelligence is being developed.

Parallel Processing has progressed.

Superconductor technology has progressed.

• Disadvantages
• They’re usually sophisticated but could be difficult to use.

• They can give businesses additional power to monitor your

activities and potentially infect your machine.