Advantage and Disadvantage of Generation of Computer

In computer terminology, generation is a technical transition used/utilized by a computer. Until now, five generations of computers are identified.

Generation of Computers – Explained

The generations of computers are focused on significant technological developments, such as the use of vacuum tubes, transistors, and microprocessors, in computers.

Generation of computer 1st to 5th

First Generation – Vacuum Tubes (1940 – 1956) Second Generation – Transistors (1956 – 1963) Third Generation – Integrated Circuits (1964 – 1971)

Fourth Generation – Microprocessors (1972 – 2010) Fifth Generation – Artificial Intelligence (2011 – Present)

Vacuum tubes were used as the main technology in the first generation of computers. Vacuum tubes were commonly used from 1940 to 1956.

First Generation – Vacuum Tubes (1940 – 1956)

Vacuum tubes were bigger, and computers of first-generation were very large and occupied a great deal of space in a room. Some computers of the first generation took up a whole house.

Some of the examples of First Generation of Computers are: – ENIAC – EDVAC – UNIVAC – IBM-701 – IBM-650

– It used vacuum tubes which during those days were the only electronic component.

Advantages of First Generation of Computers:

– These were really expensive computers. – Since magnetic drums were present, they could only store a small amount of information.

Disadvantages of First Generation of Computers:

– Vacuum tubes require a large cooling system. This is another drawback of these computers. – The efficiency of work was very low. – Big consumption of electricity.

All the devices vary in size, cost, and specification. We need to choose the compatible one. Some of the different types of hardware are – Input devices Output devices Storage devices

Transistors were used in the second generation of the machine rather than vacuum tubes.

Second Generation – Transistors (1956 – 1963)

Transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes and made it possible for computers to be smaller, quicker, and cheaper to build.

– Honeywell 400 – IBM 7094 – CDC 1604 – CDC 3600 – UNIVAC 1108

Some of the examples of Second Generation of Computers are:

– The electron component size had reduced due to the use of transistors rather than vacuum tubes. This led to a smaller device size.

Advantages of Second Generation of Computers:

– Low cost compared to computers of first-generation. – Better than first-generation speed. – Portable compared to the first generation.

– A system for cooling was required. – It needed continuous maintenance. – Used only for specific purposes.

Disadvantages of Second Generation of Computers: