What are the different generations of computers?

There are five generations of computers: First generation (1940s-1950s): The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as their main electronic component. Second generation (1950s-1960s): The second generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. Third generation (1960s-1970s): The third generation of computers used integrated circuits (ICs) as their main electronic component. Fourth generation (1970s-present): The fourth generation of computers uses microprocessors as their main electronic component. Fifth generation (1980s-present): The fifth generation of computers is still ongoing, and is focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and parallel processing.

What are the future trends in computer generations?

The future trends in computer generations are as follows: Increased speed and power: Computers are becoming increasingly faster and more powerful. This is due to the development of new technologies, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Smaller size and lower cost: Computers are becoming smaller and more affordable. This is due to the development of new manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing. Greater connectivity: Computers are becoming more connected to each other and to the internet. This is due to the development of new networking technologies, such as 5G. More user-friendly: Computers are becoming more user-friendly. This is due to the development of new graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and voice-activated controls.

What are the characteristics of each generation of computers?

The characteristics of each generation of computers are as follows: First generation (1940s-1950s): Vacuum tubes were used as the main electronic component. These computers were large, bulky, and consumed a lot of power. They were also very slow, with speeds of only a few kilohertz. Second generation (1950s-1960s): Transistors were used instead of vacuum tubes. These computers were smaller, faster, and more efficient than vacuum tube computers. They also had higher speeds, with speeds of up to millions of hertz. Third generation (1960s-1970s): Integrated circuits (ICs) were used as the main electronic component. These computers were even smaller, faster, and more efficient than transistor computers. They also had much higher speeds, with speeds of up to billions of hertz. Fourth generation (1970s-present): Microprocessors were used as the main electronic component. These computers were very small, powerful, and affordable. They also had very high speeds, with speeds of up to gigahertz. Fifth generation (1980s-present): Artificial intelligence (AI) and parallel processing are the main focus of this generation of computers. These computers are still in development, but they are expected to be much faster and more powerful than previous generations of computers.

Generation of Computer 1st to 5th with Pictures, Download PDF

Table of Contents

With the advent of your time, the modern computer began to take shape. The development of the computer had begun in the sixteenth century. Numerous improvements were made to the original computer. It continued to advance in terms of speed, accuracy, size, and cost in order to push the design of the current-day computer. In this article, we will cover all the computer generations along with their characteristics in detail. We have also included the chart of all Generation of Computer 1st to 5th with Pictures along with their brief description.

Generation of Computer

The generation of computers along with their defining characteristics and advancements. From the sixteenth century onward, computers underwent a long and continuous state of evolution. Computer generations refer to the many stages of this extended duration. The period from 1940 to 1956 saw the development of the first generation of computers, which was followed by the second generation from 1956 to 1963, the third generation from 1964 to 1971, the fourth generation from 1971 to the present, and the fifth generation, which is now under development. It’s important to note that there may be some variation in the classification of generations depending on different sources, but this is a commonly accepted overview.

How Many Generation of Computer

First Generation (1940s-1950s): The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as the primary electronic component. These machines were large, expensive, and consumed a significant amount of electricity. They were mainly programmed using machine language and assembly language. Examples include the ENIAC and UNIVAC I.
Second Generation (1950s-1960s): The second generation of computers introduced the use of transistors, which replaced vacuum tubes. Transistors were smaller, faster, more reliable, and consumed less power. This advancement led to the development of smaller and more affordable computers. High-level programming languages such as FORTRAN and COBOL were developed during this period.
Third Generation (1960s-1970s): The third generation of computers witnessed the invention of integrated circuits (ICs) or chips. ICs allowed for the placement of multiple transistors and electronic components on a single chip, leading to further miniaturization and increased processing power. This generation saw the emergence of mainframe and minicomputers, as well as the development of operating systems and time-sharing.
Fourth Generation (1970s-1980s): The fourth generation of computers brought about the advent of microprocessors. Microprocessors combined the processing power of a complete CPU onto a single chip, enabling the creation of personal computers (PCs). The development of microcomputers and the use of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) marked this era. High-level programming languages, such as C and Pascal, became more popular.
Fifth Generation (1980s-Present): The fifth generation of computers is characterized by the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and parallel processing. This generation focuses on creating computer systems that can mimic human intelligence, including natural language processing and expert systems. Some key technologies associated with this generation include neural networks, genetic algorithms, and supercomputers.

Generation of Computer 1st to 5th

The generation of computer 1st to 5th long period is often conveniently divided into the subsequent phases called generations of computers.

Generation of Computer	Time-Period	Evolving Hardware
First Generation	1940s – 1950s	Vacuum Tube Based
Second Generation	1950s – 1960s	Transistor Based
Third Generation	1960s – 1970s	Integrated Circuit Based
Fourth Generation	1970s – Present	Microprocessor Based
Fifth Generation	Present – Future	Artificial Intelligence Based

Generation of Computer 1st to 5th with Pictures

Here we will discuss all the generations of computers 1st to 5th in detail. It will help students as well as competitive exam aspirants in their exam preparation.

First Generation of Computer (1940s-1950s)

Vacuum tubes served as the primary electronic component of the first generations of computers. Vacuum tubes were big, heavy things that used a lot of electricity. These computers had only a few kilohertz of speed, which was also quite slow.

Characteristics of First Generation of Computer

The table given below consists of characteristics of first generation of computer.

Characteristics	Components
Main electronic component	Vacuum tube
Programming language	Machine language
Main memory	Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums
Input/output devices	Paper tape and punched cards
Speed and size	Very slow and very large (often taking up an entire room)
Examples of the first generation	IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc.

Second Generation of Computer (1950s-1960s)

Transistors, as opposed to vacuum tubes, were employed in the second generation of computers. Compared to vacuum tubes, transistors were quicker, more efficient, and smaller. Smaller, more potent computers could be created as a result.

Characteristics of Second Generation of Computer

The table given below consists of the characteristics of the second generation of Computer.

Characteristics	Components
Main electronic component	Transistor
Programming language	Machine language and assembly language
Memory	Magnetic core and magnetic tape/disk
Input/output devices	Magnetic tape and punched cards
Power and size	Smaller in size, had low power consumption, and generated less heat (in comparison with the first-generation computers)
Examples of the second generation	PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, CDC 3600, etc.

Third Generation of Computer (1960s-1970s)

Integrated circuits (ICs) served as the primary electronic component of the third generation of computers. Transistors are built into integrated circuits (ICs) and are engraved onto a single chip. This made it possible to create increasingly more compact and potent computers.

Characteristics of the Third Generation of Computer

The table given below consists of the characteristics of the third generation of Computer.

Characteristics	Components
Main electronic component	Integrated circuits (ICs)
Programming language	High-level language
Memory	Large magnetic core, magnetic tape/disk
Input/output devices	Magnetic tape, monitor, keyboard, printer, etc.
Examples of the third generation	IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, NCR 395, B6500, UNIVAC 1108, etc.

Fourth Generation of Computer (1970s-1980s)

Microprocessors are the primary electronic component used in computers that belong to the fourth generation. Single chips called microprocessors house the central processing unit (CPU), memory, and other parts. Personal computers (PCs) and other compact, cheap computers were made possible as a result.

Characteristics of The Fourth Generation of Computer

The table given below consists of the characteristics of the fourth Generation of Computers.

Characteristics	Components
Main electronic component	Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) and the microprocessor (VLSI has thousands of transistors on a single microchip)
Memory	Semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)
Input/output devices	Pointing devices, optical scanning, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.
Examples of the fourth generation	IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, Altair 8800, etc.

Fifth Generation of Computer (1980s-Present)

The fifth generation of computers, which is currently being developed, is concentrated on parallel processing and artificial intelligence (AI). AI refers to a computer’s capacity to learn and think like a human. The capacity of computers to carry out several tasks at once is known as parallel processing.

Characteristics of Fifth and Current Generations of Computer

The table given below consists of characteristics of fifth generation.

Characteristics	Components
Main electronic component	Based on artificial intelligence, uses Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method
Language	Understands natural language (human language)
Size	Portable and small in size
Input/output devices	Trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (voice recognition), light scanner, printer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc.
Example of the fifth generation	Desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.

Computer Generation Chart

The Chart below summarizes the different computer generation chart.

Generation	Main electronic component	Speed	Size
First generation	Vacuum tubes	Few kilohertz	Large, bulky
Second generation	Transistors	Millions of hertz	Smaller, more powerful
Third generation	Integrated circuits (ICs)	Billions of hertz	Very small, powerful
Fourth generation	Microprocessors	Gigahertz	Personal computers
Fifth generation	Artificial intelligence (AI) and parallel processing	Tremendous speed and power	Still in development

Generations of Computer Chart

Below we have provided a chart listing all generations of computers. The chart also shows their operating time period and the technology used in them. The computer generations chart is given below. check all computers generations.

generation of computer chart — Generation of Computer 1st to 5th with Pictures

How many Generations of Computer?

Computers can be categorized into five generations of computer based on their technological advancements and key developments. These generations are number from 1 to 5. Computer system development is typically discussed in terms of multiple generations of development. As successive generations came into being, computer technology advanced.

Generation of Computer 1st to 5th PDF Download

Generation of computer 1st to 5th pdf for the students to better understand the all functions of the computers. This generation of computer 1st to 5th pdf download will assist students in their studies.

Click here for Generation of Computer 1st to 5th Pdf Download