| Subject: Re: computer genration |
Author:
lola
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Date Posted: 04:19:25 05/05/06 Fri
Author Host/IP: spool121.fobsky.xicom.ca/64.201.33.121
In reply to:
candace
's message, "Re: computer genration" on 12:14:05 08/23/05 Tue
>>The Five Generations of Computers
>>
>>
>>The history of computer development is often referred
>>to in reference to the different generations of
>>computing devices. Each generation of computer is
>>characterized by a major technological development
>>that fundamentally changed the way computers operate,
>>resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more
>>powerful and more efficient and reliable devices. Read
>>about each generation and the developments that led to
>>the current devices that we use today.
>>
>>First Generation - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes
>>
>>The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry
>>and magnetic drams for memory, and were often
>>enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very
>>expensive to operate and in addition to using a great
>>deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which
>>was often the cause of malfunctions. First generation
>>computers relied on machine language to perform
>>operations, and they could only solve one problem at a
>>time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape,
>>and output was displayed on printouts.
>>The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of
>>first-generation computing devices. The UNIVAC was the
>>first commercial computer delivered to a business
>>client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.
>>
>>Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors
>> Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the
>>second generation of computers. The transistor was
>>invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in
>>computers until the late 50s. The transistor was far
>>superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to
>>become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient
>>and more reliable than their first-generation
>>predecessors. Though the transistor still generated a
>>great deal of heat that subjected the computer to
>>damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum
>>tube. Second-generation computers still relied on
>>punched cards for input and printouts for output.
>>Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary
>>machine language to symbolic, or assembly, languages,
>>which allowed programmers to specify instructions in
>>words. High-level programming languages were also
>>being developed at this time, such as early versions
>>of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first
>>computers that stored their instructions in their
>>memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic
>>core technology.
>>The first computers of this generation were developed
>>for the atomic energy industry.
>>
>>Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits
>>The development of the integrated circuit was the
>>hallmark of the third generation of computers.
>>Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon
>>chips, called semiconductors, which drastically
>>increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
>>Instead of punched cards and printouts, users
>>interacted with third generation computers through
>>keyboard and monitors and interfaced with an operating
>>systems, which allowed the device to run many
>>different applications at one time with a central
>>program that monitored the memory. Computers for the
>>first time became accessible to a mass audience
>>because they were smaller and cheaper than their
>>predecessors.
>>
>>Fourth Generation – 1971-Present: Microprocessors
>>The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of
>>computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were
>>built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first
>>generation filled an entire room could now fit in the
>>palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in
>>1971, located all the components of the computer -
>>from the central processing unit and memory to
>>input/output controls - on a single chip.
>>In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home
>>user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh.
>>Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop
>>computers and into many areas of life as more and more
>>everyday products began to use microprocessors.
>>As these small computers became more powerful, they
>>could be linked together to form networks, which
>>eventually led to the development of the Internet.
>>Fourth generation computers also saw the development
>>of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.
>>
>>Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial
>>Intelligence
>>Fifth generation computing devices, based on
>>artificial intelligence, are still in development,
>>though there are some applications, such as voice
>>recognition, that are being used today. The use of
>>parallel processing and superconductors is helping to
>>make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum
>>computation and molecular and nanotecnology will
>>radically change the face of computers in years to
>>come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to
>>develop devices that respond to natural language input
>>and are capable of learning and self-organization.
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