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What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device used to make arithmetical and logical calculations. Computer is
typically composed of input ,output and processing devices. The monitor speaker and the printer are the
output devices whereas the keyboard mouse and microphone are input devices, the CPU is the core of
the computer and it the component responsible for processing all the requests of the input devices.

There are various computers. We can differentiate them by there generations.

First Generation – 1940-1956 These big machines used Vacuum Tubes and Magnetic
drums(Yes Magnetic storage not Optical like what we have today).Huge in size used to acquire
multiple rooms. The Vacuum tube used to make lot of noise as well and lot of heat was also generated.
These Machines were used to consume tremendous power as well. one examples of The first generation
computer are ENIAC(Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) and UNIVAC(Universal
Automatic Computer).

Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors(Triode). Transistor is smaller than the Vacuum

tube so it helped the engineers to make a smaller and less noisy machines. Made of semiconductor
these computers were using transistors as well as vacuum tube. That was the time when the world knew
that transistors are future of computer .Examples were computers developed by defense departments on
commercial example is IBM 1401.

Third Generation – 1964-1971 Integrated Circuits(IC) .An entire circuit created over a PCB.
Many transistors ,capacitors,resistors and jumpers were placed over one PCB (printed circuit board)
and these components were small i mean very small. . Small scale integration started .These computers
were compact and produced very less heat but still air conditioning was required .Heavy Production of
commercial minicomputers started because of this new technology.
Examples LILLIAC IV

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Fourth Generation – 1971- Microprocessors – One Microchip capable enough to do the entire
calculations equivalent to a computer .VLSI and ULSI Introduced .The monolithic integrated circuits
(Millions of transistors on one silicon die).It is undoubtedly the most dynamic generation of computer
we started with one small microprocessor and then we started putting cores within the processor
Example. Intel core2duo (2 cores in one CPU),AMD Phenom X2 (Double core in one CPU.)
Computers are smaller in size and they are are compact as well. Examples Altair 8800 and Apple II
.In 1965 Gordon Moore predicted that the 65,000 transistors will be placed on one silicon wafer by the
year 1975 and yes it did.

Fifth Generation – The Future – The scientists are working on computers using many CPU
together so that these machines show the Artificial intelligence (AI)capabilities. These machines will
learn by themselves and will make life easier. Think about your computer working as your personal
assistant keeping track of your meetings and reminding you about your friends anniversary.

Generations Components Used Examples

First Generation Vacuum Tubes ENIAC,UNIVAC,IBM 650
Second Generation Transistors IBM 1401, IBM 7090
Third Generation Integrated Circuits (IC) LILLIAC IV , IBM 360/91
Fourth Generation Microprocessors Altair 8800 , Apple
II,Pentium,Phenom
Fifth Generation Artificial Intelligence Personal Sequential Inference
Machine( Trial Phase)

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