COMPUTER - GENERATIONS

Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. Nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.

There are five computer generations known till date. In the following table, an approximate date against each generation has been mentioned, which are normally accepted.

Following are the main five generations of computers.

First Generation: The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based. language are done in machine languages e.g. 010101

Second Generation The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based. Programming are done in symbolic language. E.g. * # @! > < : “ ‘ ? / $

Third Generation: The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based. High Level Language. 

Fourth Generation: The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.

Fifth Generation The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. VLSI microprocessor based. read more