Briefly explain the classification of computer according to historical development (generations)

Briefly explain the classification of computer according to historical development (generations)

First generation computers
- Used vacuum tubes in their memory
- Large in physical size
- consumed a lot of power
- Produced a lot of heat
- The computers constantly broke down due to the excessive heat generated; hence were short- lived and were not very reliable
- Their internal memory capacity/ size was low
- Slow in processing data
- Very costly
- Used magnetic drum memories
- Cards were sued to enter data into the computers

Second generation computers
- Used transistors in their memory
- They consumed less power & produced less heat than the first generation computers
- They were relatively faster than the 1st generation computers
- Used magnetic core memories
- Were less costly than first generation computers
- RAM memory capacity was 32 KB

Third Generation computers
- Used integrated circuits in their memory
- They were faster than second generation computers
- RAM memory capacity was 2 GB
- Slightly smaller in size than 1st & 2nd generation computers
- They used a wide range of peripheral devices
- Could support remote communication facilities/ more than one user at the same time
- Magnetic disks were introduced for storage purposes

Fourth generation computers
- Used large scale integrated (LSI) circuits & very large scale integrated (VLSl) circuits in their memory
- They were small & very fast
- Had storage (memory) capacity
- Magnetic disks, bubble memories & optical disks were used for storage
- The first operating system was introduced

Fifth generation computers
- Are the modern computers
- Are designed/ constructed using parallel architectures, 3 –D circuit design & superconducting materials
- Are very powerful, with very high processing speeds
- The computers can perform multiprocessing
- Have virtually unlimited ( very high) memory sizes
- Can support complex programs
- Use advanced hard disks and optical disks for storage, e.g. DVDs
- Use of zip disks
- Use of multi user operating systems & advanced application programs

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Kavungya answered the question on June 5, 2019 at 07:12

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