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Answer by Badmus Adeyemi Lookman
Submitted on 8/13/2003
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COMPUTER GENERATION first generation of computer was incorporated during the second world war by Germany to build a war plane while also in England was used to crack German secrect codes and the mode of operation was the use of valves of about 1500 to 1800. Second generation was made ,and there was just a little change to the firtst generation and its mode of operation was the transistor instead of valves, these computer was used for calculation of great figures as well as sciencetific applications . Third generation computer was designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon and its used large silicon integrated circuit. Forth generation computers was also designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon of very large silicon integrated circuit ( VLSI) and ultra large silicon integrated circuit.(ULSI) Fifth generation of computer is the development of softwares to enhances computer works and its robotic applications.

Answer by Noel Ombrog
Submitted on 8/15/2004
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The computer generations are based on the modern definition of a computer put forth by John von Neumann: First Generation (1942-1958) computers used vacuum tubes as their main component. These were huge, slow, expensive, unreliable, and generated a lot of heat. Second Generation (1959-1963) computers used transistors. These were smaller than the 1st generation computer, less expensive, faster, and more reliable. Third Generation (1964-1971) computers used the 1st generation ICs (Integrated Circuits) invented by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce. These computers were even smaller, cheaper, and even more reliable. The Fourth Generation (1971-1990s) computers used microscopic ICs (Large Scale Integration or LSI chips) and MOSFET circuits (Metal oxide silicon field effect transistors). This marked an evolutionary step (it's still an IC after all) rather than a revolutionary advance. These are the official generations of computers. Unless there is a revolutionary advancement like, nanotechnology or molecular bio chips, this is what we have so far.

Answer by Isaac Raymond
Submitted on 2/7/2005
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First Generation I may say run from the period of 1951 to 1958, mode of operation was the use of vacuum tube and valves e.g was UNIVAC second generation was introduced in 1959 vacuum tubes was replaced with transistors and other solid state semiconductor devices. lot smaller, less power than vacuum tube less expensive third generation was the introduction of IBM/360 series of computers in 1964 and small silicon wafer chips was introduced to replace vacuum tubes and transistors fourth generation was introduced in 1970 with large scale integration semiconductors circuits for both logic and memory circuitry of computers. future /fifth generation is the development of present computer revolution indicate the major trends into future computers with the ability to see, listen and talk, and thinks

Answer by tony
Submitted on 6/21/2005
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computer generation has been the enovations of technology which add up to the improvement of early counting machines, the ABACUS,to the mechanical computers the first generation that uses the vacuum tubes, the magnetic drums, and to the stage of transistors which shape up the computers in the second generation.the silicon chip invented, allowed millions of transistors to be group on one chip thus performing many function at the same time in the third generation. the microprocessor brought the forth generation of computers as thousands of intergrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip,this has reduced the size of computers from the bulky slow huge computers to a size of computers that can fixed unto a desk top.The artificial inteligence(AI)which is driving up the robotic nature of computers, allowing computers to think like humans shape up the fifth generation of computers.

Answer by Naveen Rawat(GEIT)
Submitted on 10/25/2005
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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 drums 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 keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, 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 nanotechnology 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.

Answer by Naveen Rawat(GEIT)
Submitted on 10/25/2005
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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 drums 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 keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, 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 nanotechnology 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.

Answer by Fredy Mushi
Submitted on 12/6/2005
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COMPUTER GENERATION First generation of computer was incorporated during the Second World War by Germany to build a warplane while also in England was used to crack German secret codes and the mode of operation was the use of valves of about 1500 to 1800. Second generation was made, and there was just a little change to the first generation and its mode of operation was the transistor instead of valves, this computer was used for calculation of great figures as well as scientific applications. Third generation computer was designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon and its used large silicon integrated circuit. Forth generation computers was also designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon of very large silicon integrated circuit (VLSI) and ultra large silicon integrated circuit.(ULSI) Fifth generation of computer is the development of software�s to enhances computer works and its robotic applications.

Answer by pallab
Submitted on 1/11/2006
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3. Brief History of Computer Technology A complete history of computing would include a multitude of diverse devices such as the ancient Chinese abacus, the Jacquard loom (1805) and Charles Babbage's �analytical engine'' (1834). It would also include discussion of mechanical, analog and digital computing architectures. As late as the 1960s, mechanical devices, such as the Marchant calculator, still found widespread application in science and engineering. During the early days of electronic computing devices, there was much discussion about the relative merits of analog vs. digital computers. In fact, as late as the 1960s, analog computers were routinely used to solve systems of finite difference equations arising in oil reservoir modeling. In the end, digital computing devices proved to have the power, economics and scalability necessary to deal with large scale computations. Digital computers now dominate the computing world in all areas ranging from the hand calculator to the supercomputer and are pervasive throughout society. Therefore, this brief sketch of the development of scientific computing is limited to the area of digital, electronic computers. The evolution of digital computing is often divided into generations. Each generation is characterized by dramatic improvements over the previous generation in the technology used to build computers, the internal organization of computer systems, and programming languages. Although not usually associated with computer generations, there has been a steady improvement in algorithms, including algorithms used in computational science. The following history has been organized using these widely recognized generations as mileposts. 3.1 The Mechanical Era (1623-1945) 3.2 First Generation Electronic Computers (1937-1953) 3.3 Second Generation (1954-1962) 3.4 Third Generation (1963-1972) 3.5 Fourth Generation (1972-1984) 3.6 Fifth Generation (1984-1990) 3.7 Sixth Generation (1990 - ) 3.1 The Mechanical Era (1623-1945) The idea of using machines to solve mathematical problems can be traced at least as far as the early 17th century. Mathematicians who designed and implemented calculators that were capable of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division included Wilhelm Schickhard, Blaise Pascal,( Pascal's contribution to computing was recognized by computer scientist Nicklaus Wirth, who in 1972 named his new computer language Pascal (and insisted that it be spelled Pascal, not PASCAL). ) and Gottfried Leibnitz. The first multi-purpose, i.e. programmable, computing device was probably Charles Babbage's Difference Engine, which was begun in 1823 but never completed. A more ambitious machine was the Analytical Engine. It was designed in 1842, but unfortunately it also was only partially completed by Babbage. Babbage was truly a man ahead of his time: many historians think the major reason he was unable to complete these projects was the fact that the technology of the day was not reliable enough. In spite of never building a complete working machine, Babbage and his colleagues, most notably Ada,( Another pioneer with a programming language named after her. Naming languages after mathematicians is somewhat of a tradition in computer science. Other such languages include Russel, Euclid, Turning, and Goedel. ) Countess of Lovelace, recognized several important programming techniques, including conditional branches, iterative loops and index variables. A machine inspired by Babbage's design was arguably the first to be used in computational science. George Scheutz read of the difference engine in 1833, and along with his son Edvard Scheutz began work on a smaller version. By 1853 they had constructed a machine that could process 15-digit numbers and calculate fourth-order differences. Their machine won a gold medal at the Exhibition of Paris in 1855, and later they sold it to the Dudley Observatory in Albany, New York, which used it to calculate the orbit of Mars. One of the first commercial uses of mechanical computers was by the US Census Bureau, which used punch-card equipment designed by Herman Hollerith to tabulate data for the 1890 census. In 1911 Hollerith's company merged with a competitor to found the corporation which in 1924 became International Business Machines. 3.2 First Generation Electronic Computers (1937-1953) Three machines have been promoted at various times as the first electronic computers. These machines used electronic switches, in the form of vacuum tubes, instead of electromechanical relays. In principle the electronic switches would be more reliable, since they would have no moving parts that would wear out, but the technology was still new at that time and the tubes were comparable to relays in reliability. Electronic components had one major benefit, however: they could ``open'' and ``close'' about 1,000 times faster than mechanical switches. The earliest attempt to build an electronic computer was by J. V. Atanasoff, a professor of physics and mathematics at Iowa State, in 1937. Atanasoff set out to build a machine that would help his graduate students solve systems of partial differential equations. By 1941 he and graduate student Clifford Berry had succeeded in building a machine that could solve 29 simultaneous equations with 29 unknowns. However, the machine was not programmable, and was more of an electronic calculator. A second early electronic machine was Colossus, designed by Alan Turing for the British military in 1943. This machine played an important role in breaking codes used by the German army in World War II. Turing's main contribution to the field of computer science was the idea of the Turing machine, a mathematical formalism widely used in the study of computable functions. The existence of Colossus was kept secret until long after the war ended, and the credit due to Turing and his colleagues for designing one of the first working electronic computers was slow in coming. The first general purpose programmable electronic computer was the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), built by J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly at the University of Pennsylvania. Work began in 1943, funded by the Army Ordnance Department, which needed a way to compute ballistics during World War II. The machine wasn't completed until 1945, but then it was used extensively for calculations during the design of the hydrogen bomb. By the time it was decommissioned in 1955 it had been used for research on the design of wind tunnels, random number generators, and weather prediction. Eckert, Mauchly, and John von Neumann, a consultant to the ENIAC project, began work on a new machine before ENIAC was finished. The main contribution of EDVAC, their new project, was the notion of a stored program. There is some controversy over who deserves the credit for this idea, but none over how important the idea was to the future of general purpose computers. ENIAC was controlled by a set of external switches and dials; to change the program required physically altering the settings on these controls. These controls also limited the speed of the internal electronic operations. Through the use of a memory that was large enough to hold both instructions and data, and using the program stored in memory to control the order of arithmetic operations, EDVAC was able to run orders of magnitude faster than ENIAC. By storing instructions in the same medium as data, designers could concentrate on improving the internal structure of the machine without worrying about matching it to the speed of an external control. Regardless of who deserves the credit for the stored program idea, the EDVAC project is significant as an example of the power of interdisciplinary projects that characterize modern computational science. By recognizing that functions, in the form of a sequence of instructions for a computer, can be encoded as numbers, the EDVAC group knew the instructions could be stored in the computer's memory along with numerical data. The notion of using numbers to represent functions was a key step used by Goedel in his incompleteness theorem in 1937, work which von Neumann, as a logician, was quite familiar with. Von Neumann's background in logic, combined with Eckert and Mauchly's electrical engineering skills, formed a very powerful interdisciplinary team. Software technology during this period was very primitive. The first programs were written out in machine code, i.e. programmers directly wrote down the numbers that corresponded to the instructions they wanted to store in memory. By the 1950s programmers were using a symbolic notation, known as assembly language, then hand-translating the symbolic notation into machine code. Later programs known as assemblers performed the translation task. As primitive as they were, these first electronic machines were quite useful in applied science and engineering. Atanasoff estimated that it would take eight hours to solve a set of equations with eight unknowns using a Marchant calculator, and 381 hours to solve 29 equations for 29 unknowns. The Atanasoff-Berry computer was able to complete the task in under an hour. The first problem run on the ENIAC, a numerical simulation used in the design of the hydrogen bomb, required 20 seconds, as opposed to forty hours using mechanical calculators. Eckert and Mauchly later developed what was arguably the first commercially successful computer, the UNIVAC; in 1952, 45 minutes after the polls closed and with 7% of the vote counted, UNIVAC predicted Eisenhower would defeat Stevenson with 438 electoral votes (he ended up with 442). 3.3 Second Generation (1954-1962) The second generation saw several important developments at all levels of computer system design, from the technology used to build the basic circuits to the programming languages used to write scientific applications. Electronic switches in this era were based on discrete diode and transistor technology with a switching time of approximately 0.3 microseconds. The first machines to be built with this technology include TRADIC at Bell Laboratories in 1954 and TX-0 at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. Memory technology was based on magnetic cores which could be accessed in random order, as opposed to mercury delay lines, in which data was stored as an acoustic wave that passed sequentially through the medium and could be accessed only when the data moved by the I/O interface. Important innovations in computer architecture(The term ``computer architecture'' generally refers to aspects of a computer's internal organization that are visible to programmers or compiler writers) included index registers for controlling loops and floating point units for calculations based on real numbers. Prior to this accessing successive elements in an array was quite tedious and often involved writing self-modifying code (programs which modified themselves as they ran; at the time viewed as a powerful application of the principle that programs and data were fundamentally the same, this practice is now frowned upon as extremely hard to debug and is impossible in most high level languages). Floating point operations were performed by libraries of software routines in early computers, but were done in hardware in second generation machines. During this second generation many high level programming languages were introduced, including FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959). Important commercial machines of this era include the IBM 704 and its successors, the 709 and 7094. The latter introduced I/O processors for better throughput between I/O devices and main memory. The second generation also saw the first two supercomputers designed specifically for numeric processing in scientific applications. The term ``supercomputer'' is generally reserved for a machine that is an order of magnitude more powerful than other machines of its era. Two machines of the 1950s deserve this title. The Livermore Atomic Research Computer (LARC) and the IBM 7030 (aka Stretch) were early examples of machines that overlapped memory operations with processor operations and had primitive forms of parallel processing. 3.4 Third Generation (1963-1972) The third generation brought huge gains in computational power. Innovations in this era include the use of integrated circuits, or ICs (semiconductor devices with several transistors built into one physical component), semiconductor memories starting to be used instead of magnetic cores, microprogramming as a technique for efficiently designing complex processors, the coming of age of pipelining and other forms of parallel processing (described in detail in Chapter CA), and the introduction of operating systems and time-sharing. The first ICs were based on small-scale integration (SSI) circuits, which had around 10 devices per circuit (or ``chip''), and evolved to the use of medium-scale integrated (MSI) circuits, which had up to 100 devices per chip. Multilayered printed circuits were developed and core memory was replaced by faster, solid state memories. Computer designers began to take advantage of parallelism by using multiple functional units, overlapping CPU and I/O operations, and pipelining (internal parallelism) in both the instruction stream and the data stream. In 1964, Seymour Cray developed the CDC 6600, which was the first architecture to use functional parallelism. By using 10 separate functional units that could operate simultaneously and 32 independent memory banks, the CDC 6600 was able to attain a computation rate of 1 million floating point operations per second (1 Mflops). Five years later CDC released the 7600, also developed by Seymour Cray. The CDC 7600, with its pipelined functional units, is considered to be the first vector processor and was capable of executing at 10 Mflops. The IBM 360/91, released during the same period, was roughly twice as fast as the CDC 660. It employed instruction look ahead, separate floating point and integer functional units and pipelined instruction stream. The IBM 360-195 was comparable to the CDC 7600, deriving much of its performance from a very fast cache memory. The SOLOMON computer, developed by Westinghouse Corporation, and the ILLIAC IV, jointly developed by Burroughs, the Department of Defense and the University of Illinois, were representative of the first parallel computers. The Texas Instrument Advanced Scientific Computer (TI-ASC) and the STAR-100 of CDC were pipelined vector processors that demonstrated the viability of that design and set the standards for subsequent vector processors. Early in the this third generation Cambridge and the University of London cooperated in the development of CPL (Combined Programming Language, 1963). CPL was, according to its authors, an attempt to capture only the important features of the complicated and sophisticated ALGOL. However, like ALGOL, CPL was large with many features that were hard to learn. In an attempt at further simplification, Martin Richards of Cambridge developed a subset of CPL called BCPL (Basic Computer Programming Language, 1967). In 1970 Ken Thompson of Bell Labs developed yet another simplification of CPL called simply B, in connection with an early implementation of the UNIX operating system. comment): 3.5 Fourth Generation (1972-1984) The next generation of computer systems saw the use of large scale integration (LSI - 1000 devices per chip) and very large scale integration (VLSI - 100,000 devices per chip) in the construction of computing elements. At this scale entire processors will fit onto a single chip, and for simple systems the entire computer (processor, main memory, and I/O controllers) can fit on one chip. Gate delays dropped to about 1ns per gate. Semiconductor memories replaced core memories as the main memory in most systems; until this time the use of semiconductor memory in most systems was limited to registers and cache. During this period, high speed vector processors, such as the CRAY 1, CRAY X-MP and CYBER 205 dominated the high performance computing scene. Computers with large main memory, such as the CRAY 2, began to emerge. A variety of parallel architectures began to appear; however, during this period the parallel computing efforts were of a mostly experimental nature and most computational science was carried out on vector processors. Microcomputers and workstations were introduced and saw wide use as alternatives to time-shared mainframe computers. Developments in software include very high level languages such as FP (functional programming) and Prolog (programming in logic). These languages tend to use a declarative programming style as opposed to the imperative style of Pascal, C, FORTRAN, et al. In a declarative style, a programmer gives a mathematical specification of what should be computed, leaving many details of how it should be computed to the compiler and/or runtime system. These languages are not yet in wide use, but are very promising as notations for programs that will run on massively parallel computers (systems with over 1,000 processors). Compilers for established languages started to use sophisticated optimization techniques to improve code, and compilers for vector processors were able to vectorize simple loops (turn loops into single instructions that would initiate an operation over an entire vector). Two important events marked the early part of the third generation: the development of the C programming language and the UNIX operating system, both at Bell Labs. In 1972, Dennis Ritchie, seeking to meet the design goals of CPL and generalize Thompson's B, developed the C language. Thompson and Ritchie then used C to write a version of UNIX for the DEC PDP-11. This C-based UNIX was soon ported to many different computers, relieving users from having to learn a new operating system each time they change computer hardware. UNIX or a derivative of UNIX is now a de facto standard on virtually every computer system. An important event in the development of computational science was the publication of the Lax report. In 1982, the US Department of Defense (DOD) and National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored a panel on Large Scale Computing in Science and Engineering, chaired by Peter D. Lax. The Lax Report stated that aggressive and focused foreign initiatives in high performance computing, especially in Japan, were in sharp contrast to the absence of coordinated national attention in the United States. The report noted that university researchers had inadequate access to high performance computers. One of the first and most visible of the responses to the Lax report was the establishment of the NSF supercomputing centers. Phase I on this NSF program was designed to encourage the use of high performance computing at American universities by making cycles and training on three (and later six) existing supercomputers immediately available. Following this Phase I stage, in 1984-1985 NSF provided funding for the establishment of five Phase II supercomputing centers. The Phase II centers, located in San Diego (San Diego Supercomputing Center); Illinois (National Center for Supercomputing Applications); Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center); Cornell (Cornell Theory Center); and Princeton (John von Neumann Center), have been extremely successful at providing computing time on supercomputers to the academic community. In addition they have provided many valuable training programs and have developed several software packages that are available free of charge. These Phase II centers continue to augment the substantial high performance computing efforts at the National Laboratories, especially the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA sites. 3.6 Fifth Generation (1984-1990) The development of the next generation of computer systems is characterized mainly by the acceptance of parallel processing. Until this time parallelism was limited to pipelining and vector processing, or at most to a few processors sharing jobs. The fifth generation saw the introduction of machines with hundreds of processors that could all be working on different parts of a single program. The scale of integration in semiconductors continued at an incredible pace - by 1990 it was possible to build chips with a million components - and semiconductor memories became standard on all computers. Other new developments were the widespread use of computer networks and the increasing use of single-user workstations. Prior to 1985 large scale parallel processing was viewed as a research goal, but two systems introduced around this time are typical of the first commercial products to be based on parallel processing. The Sequent Balance 8000 connected up to 20 processors to a single shared memory module (but each processor had its own local cache). The machine was designed to compete with the DEC VAX-780 as a general purpose Unix system, with each processor working on a different user's job. However Sequent provided a library of subroutines that would allow programmers to write programs that would use more than one processor, and the machine was widely used to explore parallel algorithms and programming techniques. The Intel iPSC-1, nicknamed ``the hypercube'', took a different approach. Instead of using one memory module, Intel connected each processor to its own memory and used a network interface to connect processors. This distributed memory architecture meant memory was no longer a bottleneck and large systems (using more processors) could be built. The largest iPSC-1 had 128 processors. Toward the end of this period a third type of parallel processor was introduced to the market. In this style of machine, known as a data-parallel or SIMD, there are several thousand very simple processors. All processors work under the direction of a single control unit; i.e. if the control unit says ``add a to b'' then all processors find their local copy of a and add it to their local copy of b. Machines in this class include the Connection Machine from Thinking Machines, Inc., and the MP-1 from MasPar, Inc. Scientific computing in this period was still dominated by vector processing. Most manufacturers of vector processors introduced parallel models, but there were very few (two to eight) processors in this parallel machines. In the area of computer networking, both wide area network (WAN) and local area network (LAN) technology developed at a rapid pace, stimulating a transition from the traditional mainframe computing environment toward a distributed computing environment in which each user has their own workstation for relatively simple tasks (editing and compiling programs, reading mail) but sharing large, expensive resources such as file servers and supercomputers. RISC technology (a style of internal organization of the CPU) and plummeting costs for RAM brought tremendous gains in computational power of relatively low cost workstations and servers. This period also saw a marked increase in both the quality and quantity of scientific visualization. 3.7 Sixth Generation (1990 - ) Transitions between generations in computer technology are hard to define, especially as they are taking place. Some changes, such as the switch from vacuum tubes to transistors, are immediately apparent as fundamental changes, but others are clear only in retrospect. Many of the developments in computer systems since 1990 reflect gradual improvements over established systems, and thus it is hard to claim they represent a transition to a new ``generation'', but other developments will prove to be significant changes. In this section we offer some assessments about recent developments and current trends that we think will have a significant impact on computational science. Table 2 Network Speeds see table below This generation is beginning with many gains in parallel computing, both in the hardware area and in improved understanding of how to develop algorithms to exploit diverse, massively parallel architectures. Parallel systems now compete with vector processors in terms of total computing power and most expect parallel systems to dominate the future. Combinations of parallel/vector architectures are well established, and one corporation (Fujitsu) has announced plans to build a system with over 200 of its high end vector processors. Manufacturers have set themselves the goal of achieving teraflops ( 10 arithmetic operations per second) performance by the middle of the decade, and it is clear this will be obtained only by a system with a thousand processors or more. Workstation technology has continued to improve, with processor designs now using a combination of RISC, pipelining, and parallel processing. As a result it is now possible to purchase a desktop workstation for about $30,000 that has the same overall computing power (100 megaflops) as fourth generation supercomputers. This development has sparked an interest in heterogeneous computing: a program started on one workstation can find idle workstations elsewhere in the local network to run parallel subtasks. One of the most dramatic changes in the sixth generation will be the explosive growth of wide area networking. Network bandwidth has expanded tremendously in the last few years and will continue to improve for the next several years. T1 transmission rates are now standard for regional networks, and the national ``backbone'' that interconnects regional networks uses T3. Networking technology is becoming more widespread than its original strong base in universities and government laboratories as it is rapidly finding application in K-12 education, community networks and private industry. A little over a decade after the warning voiced in the Lax report, the future of a strong computational science infrastructure is bright. The federal commitment to high performance computing has been further strengthened with the passage of two particularly significant pieces of legislation: the High Performance Computing Act of 1991, which established the High Performance Computing and Communication Program (HPCCP) and Sen. Gore's Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of 1992, which addresses a broad spectrum of issues ranging from high performance computing to expanded network access and the necessity to make leading edge technologies available to educators from kindergarten through graduate school. In bringing this encapsulated survey of the development of a computational science infrastructure up to date, we observe that the President's FY 1993 budget contains $2.1 billion for mathematics, science, technology and science literacy educational programs, a 43% increase over FY 90 figures.

Answer by tariq
Submitted on 4/20/2006
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COMPUTER GENERATION first generation of computer was incorporated during the second world war by Germany to build a war plane while also in England was used to crack German secrete codes and the mode of operation was the use of valves of about 1500 to 1800. Second generation was made ,and there was just a little change to the first generation and its mode of operation was the transistor instead of valves, these computer was used for calculation of great figures as well as scientific applications . Third generation computer was designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon and its used large silicon integrated circuit. Forth generation computers was also designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon of very large silicon integrated circuit ( VLSI) and ultra large silicon integrated circuit.(ALSO) Fifth generation of computer is the development of softwares to enhances computer works and its robotic applications.

Answer by divesh
Submitted on 7/4/2006
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Microcomputer Generation 3000 BC - 1943ENIACAnother Picture of the ENIACHistoric ComputersTimeline 1944 - 1971Timeline 1972 - 1981Timeline 1982 - 1990Timeline 1991 - TodayOutdated, Now Humorous Quotes Moore's Law A transistor is not a computer, but it is one of the influential inventions that greatly affected the next course of history for computers and enabled the next generation of computers to be created. The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes, the second generation of computers used transistors, the third generation of computers used integrated circuits and the fourth generation of computers used microprocessors. DesktopsFIRST GENERATION 1975 - First implementation of BASIC by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, it was written for the MITS Altair - the first personal computer - this led to the formation of Microsoft later in the year.1976 - Apple Computer, Inc. founded, to Market Apple I computer. Designed by Stephen Wozinak and Stephen Jobs.1977 - May Apple II computer introduced. 1972 - MITS Altair 8800, the first personal computer to be available commercially released, by Micro Instrumentation Telemetry Systems.200 kilohertz3,500 transistors16 kbytesUses: dumb terminals, calculators, bottling machinesdata/character manipulation. 1974-7 - Intel 8088ISA 8 bit data busProcessor speed 4.77 MHz6,000 transistorsRAM 64 kbytesUses: Traffic light controller. From the Intel Museum 1978 - Intel 8086, AMD 8086, NEC V-308 and 10 bit data busProcessor Speed 8, 10 MHz instruction29,000 transistorsUse: portable computing. 1980 - "DOS addresses only 1 Megabyte of RAM because we cannot imagine any applications needing more." Microsoft on the development of DOS. Instruction set of 300 operations, had 29,000 transistors 1979 - Arcade Video game �Space Invaders� released.1980 - Atari�s Asteroids. 1979 - Compact disk was invented. SECOND GENERATION 1982 - Intel 80286, AMD 286, 186S16 bit ISA data busProcessor Speed 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 MHz 134,000 transistorsRAM 16 MBCPU square PGA (Pin Grid Array) with pin 1 identified by a small notch soldered or surface mounted on the motherboardISA slotsUse: Microprocessor. 12MHz 80286 Motherboard6 16 bit expansion slots, two eight bit slots.1982 - The TCP/IP Protocol established, and the "Internet" is formed as a connected set of networks using TCP/IP. From the Intel Museum THIRD GENERATION 1984 - Compaq started the development of the IDE interface (Intelligent Drive Electronics).1985 - CD-ROM, invented by Phillips, produced in collaboration with Sony. 1987 - IBM PS/2 familyIntroduced MCA 32 bit bus 1985-9 - Intel 80386DX, AMD, CYRIX32 bit external data bus, 32 bit Address BusProcessor Speed 16, 20. 25. 33, 40 MHz4 GIG Memory386 Protected Mode (Virtual Memory)132 Pin PGA, 132 Pin Socket275,000 transistorsCPU PGAMultitask DOS programsMCA (Micro Channel Archtecture), EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture), ISA expansion slotsUse: Desktop Computing From the Intel Museum1987 - Macintosh II & Macintosh SE released. The SE was still based on the 68000, but could cope with 4 Mb of RAM and had a SCSI adapter, similar specifications to the Macintosh Plus of Jan. 1986.1987 - 32 Bit Bus Width: The MCA bus features a full 32 bit bus width, the same width as the VESA and PCI local buses. It had far superior throughput to the ISA bus.It included: � Bus Mastering: The MCA bus supported bus mastering adapters for greater efficiency, including proper bus arbitration. � Plug and Play: MCA automatically configured adapter cards, so there was no need to fiddle with jumpers. This was eight years before Windows 95 brought PnP into the mainstream! This was created by IBM for their PS/2 machines.MCA had a great deal of potential. Unfortunately, IBM made two decisions that would doom MCA to utter failure in the marketplace. � First, they made MCA incompatible with ISA; this means ISA cards will not work at all in an MCA system. � Second, IBM made the MCA proprietory. 1988 - EISA Bus standard introduced by Compaq. EISA was ISA compatible and had all the elements of MCA, but it was expensive, and there were not as many cards for EISA.1988-92 - Intel 80386SX, AMD, CYRIX15 bit data busProcessor Speed 16, 20, 25, 33 MHz16 MB Memory132 Pin PGA, 132 Pin Socket FOURTH GENERATION GUI (Graphic Users Interface) Interface - Level 1 Cache1989 - Macintosh SE/30 released.1989 - Release of Sound Blaster Card, by Creative Labs.1989 - World Wide Web, invented by Tim Berners-Lee who saw the need for a global information exchange that would allow physicists to collaborate on research (he was working at CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Switzerland, at the time). 1990 - Windows 3.0 released by Bill Gates & Microsoft. Mosaic the only brower used.1990 - Macintosh Classic and IIsi released. 68030 processor at 20 MHz, 256 colors video adapter. Macintosh LC released. 8020 processor at 16 MHz. 1989-91 - Intel 80486DX, AMD, CYRIX32 bit data busProcessor Speed 25, 33, 50 MHz4 GIG Memory168 Pin PGA, 168 Pin Socket, 1, 2, 3 1.2 million transistorsFrom command level to point and clickISA, EISA, MCA expansion slotsCPU PGA, 168 piins, @ 1.75 squareOperates at +5 V, DX operates at 3.3 VDCA built-in math coprocessor, which speeds up computing because it offers complex math functions from the central processorUse: Desktop computing. From the Intel MuseumDX2 - Overdrive chips runs at 2 clock speeds for internal, one for external operations. DX4, DX4-100 - Clock tripler technology (called Blue Lightening; i.e., a 25 MHz chip could run internally at 75 MHz. 1990 - Macintosh Classic released1990 - PCI introduced. 1990 - ISA expanded to 16 bits. 1990 - VESA bus created. The VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) Local Bus was invented at around the time that the 486 was introduced. As a result, the majority of 486-based motherboards are based on VESA (VLB, VL-bus) designs. 1990 - Windows 3.1 released by Bill Gates & Microsoft.1992 - Wolfenstein 3D released by Id Software Inc. 1992 - Intel 80486DX2, 80486DX2 Overdrive (for upgrading)Clock DoublingProcessor Speed 50, 66, 80 MHz1993 - Doom was released by Id Software Inc. 1994 - Doom II released. 1991-2 - Intel 80486SX, AMD, CYRIX , Level 2 CacheProcessor Speed 26, 20, 25, 33 MHzNo Math Coprocessor1994 - Netscape 1.0 was written as an alternative browser to NCSA Mosaic. 1994 - Intel 80486DX4 and 80486DX4 OverdriveClock TriplingProcessor Speed 75, 100, 120 MHz 1995 - Intel 80486DX5, AMD 5X86Processor Speed 133 MHz1996 - Quake released. 1996 - Cyrix 5X86Processor Speed 100 MHz X 50 MHz bus, 120 MHz,110 MHz X 55 Mhz bus, 133 MHz X 66 MHz bus, 150 MHz X 75 MHz bus Pentium compatible, since it fitted into a Socket 7 FIFTH GENERATION PCI Bus 1993-6 - Intel Pentium(P5 [5 vol]), P54C[3.3 volt]) - Developed by Intel in Haifa, Israel, 199364 bit internal and external data bus 3.1 million transistorsBiPolar CMOSRAM 4 GIGProcessor Speed 50, 60(1993), 66(1993), 75(1994-5), 90(1994), 100(1994), 120(1995), 133(1995), 150(1996), 166(1996), 200(1997) - all 60-66 MHz motherboard speedCPU - 1.94 inches square SPGA, 273 pins work at 5 VDC, 296 pins operate at 3.3 VDCSocket 4, 5, 7Can process 4 instructions per clock cycle2 8K cachesuperscaler - CPU is 2 chips in one for fault tolerant technology - one chip falters, another takes overIncorporated "real world" data such as speech, sound, handwriting and photographic images 430LX - Mercury:50-66 MHz bus- 64 kb cache - Socket 4 - 128 MB RAMZ430NX - Neptune:50-66 MHz bus - 512 secondary cache - 512 RAM430FX - Triton:90-103 MHz - 128 MB RAM - started support for EDO RAM - PCIover 3.1 million transistors.430HX - Triton II:90-103 MHz - 512 RAM - 512 cache, TAG RAM - PCI - USBThe 430HX was the only current Intel Pentium-class chipset to offer parity and error corrected memory support. This makes it the only choice (as far as this author is concerned) for mission critical applications, servers, etc., unless you want to use a non-Intel chipset. Unfortunately, the HX chipset has now been discontinued, which means that choices are becoming much more limited.430VX - Triton III:128 MB RAM - 64 MG RAM - support for SDRAM (SIMM & DIMM)430TX - Triton IV:256 MB RAM - 64 MB cache - (SIMM & DIMM)(1997) K5Pentium copy16 KB L1 cache and no MMX</p> Intel Pentium OverDrive32, 64 Data bus296 Pin SPGA, "Socket 7"Processor Speed 63, 83, 120/133, 125, 150, 166MMX� Adds 57 new instructions for multimedia and internal improvements to support instructions � Required new motherboard becuase of Split Voltage - 2.8V for internal logic - 3.3V for I/O logic � SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data): allows one instruction to perform the same function on multiple pieces of data � more cache built into chip1996 - January Netscape Navigator 2.0 released. First browser to support JavaScript. 1997 - Intel Pentium with MMX(P55C)Split Rail VoltageProcessor Speed 166, 200, 233 MHz 1997 - "Grand Theft Auto", "Quake 2" and "Blade Runner" were all released while Lara Croft returned in "Tomb Raider 2". As the standards for graphics kept increasing, 3d graphics cards were beginning to become mandatory for games players.1997 - After 18 months of losses Apple were in serious financial trouble. 1997 - Intel Pentium with MMX OverdriveProcessor Speed 125, 150, 166, 180, 200 MHz 1998 - Intel Celeron Processor266, 300, 333, 366, 400, 433, 466(1999), 500(1999)Use: Low-cost PC's 1995-6 - CYRIX 6X86 (M1) - Incompatibilities, Overheated, etc.Processor Speed 120+, 133+, 150+, 166+, 200+ MHz 1995-7 - AMD, K5 (K5, 5K86)RISC ProcessorProcessor Speed 75, 90, 100, 116K6 - socket 7 SIXTH GENERATION RISC Chip, Level 1 cache wider, cache off motherboardIntel decided to go to the Slot 1 interface for the Pentium II, while AMD and Cyrix were sticking with Socket 7 on Pentium-class boards.1994 - Netscape 1.0 was written as an alternative browser to NCSA Mosaic. 1995 - Windows '95 was launched by Bill Gates & Microsoft. 1995-7 - Intel Pentium Pro (P6)64 GIG Memory387 Pin Dual SPGA, "Socket 8"Processor Speed 150, 166, 180, 200L2 256 and 512 KB 5.5 million transistorsDynamic Execution: � Multiple Branch Prediction: looks ahead and predicts instructions to be processed. � Dataflow Analysis: decide which commands to schedule � SPeculative Execution: schedule performed387 pins, operates at 2.9 VDC, larger than pentium chipHigher speed L2 cache32-bit server and workstation-level applications, enabling fast computer-aided design, mechanical engineering and scientific computation. Each Pentium� Pro processor was packaged together with a second speed-enhancing cache memory chip, L2 256 and 512 KB Netscape Navigator 2.0 released.1997 - AGP is introduced. The need for increased bandwidth between the main processor and the video subsystem originally lead to the development of AGP. AGP is considered a port, and not a bus, because it only involves two devices (the processor and video card) and is not expandable. One of the great advantages of AGP is that it isolates the video subsystem from the rest of the PC so there isn't nearly as much contention over I/O bandwidth as there is with PCI. It is 32 bit and has a high-bandwidth 66 MHz speed. AGP has defined a 2X mode, which uses special signaling to allow twice as much data to be sent over the port at the same clock speed. 1997 - Intel Pentium II (Klamath)SEC (Single-edge cartridge) "Socket 1"Processor Speed 233, 266, 300 MHz7.5 million transistorsHas Dynamic ExecutionCPU - SEC (Single Edge Contact)With this chip, PC users can capture, edit and share digital photos with friends and family via the Internet; edit and add text, music or between-scene transitions to home movies; and, with a video phone, send video over standard phone lines and the Internet. 1998 - Intel Pentium II (Deschutes)333 MHz NOTE: Pentium Pro and Pentium II have secondary cache integrated into the CPU package.1995 - Intel 450GX/KX (Orion):Server Version2 separate PCI busesKX workstation versionHigh End Pentium Pro60, 66 MHz bus Dual, Quad processorsRAM 1 & 8 GBSIMM, USB1996 - Intel 440FX (Natoma):No suport for Ultra DMA or SDRAMHigh End Pentium ProPentium II60, 66 MHz busDual processors1 GB RAMSIMM, DIMMPCA, USB1997 - Intel 440LX: Supports AGP, SDRAM, Ultra DMA, USB, SEC, SIMM, DIMMDual Processors1 GB EDO SIMM, 512 MB SDRAM,60, 66 MHz bus Comparison of 6th Generation Chips 1997/8 - AMD K62.2 VoltsProcessor Speed 166, 200, 233, 266 MHz X 66 MHz bus, 300 MHz X 100 MHz bus MHz, 333 Mhz X 95 MHz bus, 350 MHz X 100 MHz bus, 380 MHz X 95 MHz bus, 400 MHz X 100 MHz bus 1997 - CYRIX 6X86MX PR-166, PR-200, PR-233Processor Speed 150, 166, 187 MHzMMXSocket 71998 - Release of Windows '98.1999 - Linux Kernel 2.2.0 Released. The number of people running Linux is estimated at over 10million, making it an not only important operating system in the Unix world, but an increasingly important one in the PC world.Pentium III Pentium III: The Next Generation in Processing Detailed specs of all the aboveNOTE: Most of the above information was taken from � A Brief History of Computing, � Copyright 1996-1999, Stephen White � Intel � PC Guide

Answer by Shodam Computer ICT
Submitted on 7/8/2006
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The history of computer development is all about Computer Generation i.e. the people that contributed to the growth of computer system. If we are talking about Computer Generation we have to talk about software and hardware generation. Please take your time to read the following generations of computer First Generation - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums 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 keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, 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 nanotechnology 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. For more information pls. call 2348029062504

Answer by hate
Submitted on 7/10/2006
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The Five Generations of Computers First Generation - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums 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 keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, 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 nanotechnology 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. sorry!!!:),,V,---captain barbell

Answer by Joy Ezurike
Submitted on 1/9/2007
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Several observers date the development of computing machines to Abacus as far back as 3000 B.C. Abacus was calculating device widely use during the time. Others believed that the history of calculation started in 1617 the invention of John Naphiers a device which could perform multiplication. The device was named Naphiers bone in 1620 Headman Gunher. Invested a slide rule which could perform multiplication, division and other mathematical operation. In 1642 Plaise Pascal assembled a calculator operator by Tony Dials. The development of modern computer was however credited to Charles Barbage. In 1833 he used some previous technique to pioneer his mechanical difference engine and analytical engine while the early device use hand powered method. Modern computing was ushered in with the use of electrical power while the electricity provided a way of storing and calculating data using electrical signal. In 1890, Herman Hollerith used punch card idea fed the card under a set of contact brushes that completed electrical circuits. The first digital machine based on binary system remain the foundation of all modern digital computer. This was produced by Howard Aitkelin in 1944. In the history of development of computers there are three common electronic devices which had been used. They are Vacum tubes (first generation computer), Transistors(second generation computer) and Integrated Circuit (third generation computer).

Answer by Harish Sati
Submitted on 5/18/2007
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Hi Good Morning to all of you computer generation give automation to each n every field basically to buisness. i think whatever progress that we are making is just on top of a foundation laid by abacus. no matter what , abacus deserved a credit. I know that computer first came from babylonians from egypt when they first used string ball to culculate math. so please check computer 1st to 5th Generation, first generation of computer was incorporated during the second world war by Germany to build a war plane while also in England was used to crack German secrect codes and the mode of operation was the use of valves of about 1500 to 1800. Second generation was made ,and there was just a little change to the firtst generation and its mode of operation was the transistor instead of valves, these computer was used for calculation of great figures as well as sciencetific applications . Third generation computer was designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon and its used large silicon integrated circuit. Forth generation computers was also designed to suite a small piece of space and its mode of operation was based on silicon of very large silicon integrated circuit ( VLSI) and ultra large silicon integrated circuit.(ULSI) Fifth generation of computer is the development of softwares to enhances computer works and its robotic applications.

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Question by ola
Submitted on 7/16/2003
Related FAQ: [alt.comp.virus] FAQ Part 1/4
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what is computer generation

Answer by sodiq
Submitted on 10/18/2003
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iwantto know everything aboutcomputer generation

Answer by djj
Submitted on 1/19/2004
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what is the computer evolution

Answer by sandy
Submitted on 3/17/2004
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I know that computer first came from babylonians from egypt when they first used string ball to culculate math.

Answer by Max
Submitted on 3/21/2004
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What is the first third sixth and eight generation of computer processors

Answer by pauline nashipae
Submitted on 3/24/2004
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greate

Answer by Bharat chouhan
Submitted on 3/25/2004
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I want to know more about computer generation with pictures and history of computer

Answer by avijit
Submitted on 3/27/2004
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i want to just confirm weather this computer generation belongs to fifth generation or not???

Answer by shveta
Submitted on 3/29/2004
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computer generation give automation to each n every field basically to buisness

Answer by laree
Submitted on 4/20/2004
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umm.. i dont know

Answer by nice
Submitted on 6/20/2004
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this is not an answer, its an opinion. well, those answers were quit fine. but you better consult books like encyclopedia. dont depend on those sources.beacuse i guess, it still needs improvement. HAVE A NICE DAY!

Answer by vic
Submitted on 6/21/2004
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nothing

Answer by kat 2x
Submitted on 6/22/2004
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First of all, I'd like to greet everyone HELLO! Concerning our topic, I respect the other's opinion, although some of them didn't really answer the question. All hail to Badmus Adeyemi Lookman! because he really did a wonderful job in answering the question but he sure has a weird name.. As to my answer? welll.....uhmmm....ahhh....let's just give the other's a chance..hehe All I can say is that I'm glad I was born in this generation because with the help of computers, our lives are more comfortable.. that's all, I, thank you.

Answer by JEFFERSON
Submitted on 6/26/2004
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i think computer come from abacus.Because abacus is the first computatiom in the world. Without abacus we will never learn how to compute

Answer by revi
Submitted on 6/28/2004
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about computer generation macromedia

Answer by kat2x
Submitted on 6/29/2004
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Hello again!!! Yipee...I got the highest rating!! Just got one questions, who really did invent the abacus???Is it the Chinese? because everyone's claiming that the abacus originated from their country.. Hello to all Filipinos!!Iboto niyo ako..hehe

Answer by raju
Submitted on 11/27/2004
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Ammako chode tome bhainkay lauday salay koi sahi nahi likha sab ghalat likhey gaanduaa hai bhainkay lauday

Answer by NEKKY
Submitted on 2/7/2005
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MINE IS NOT AN ANSWER BUT A QUESTION.I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT COMPUTER GENERATION.

Answer by NOMPILO LUTHULI
Submitted on 3/11/2005
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COMPUTERS ARE VERY HELPFUL TO THE ONES WHO KNOWS THE NEED OF THEM,SO FROM MY OWN POINT OF VIEW I'D DEFINATELY SAY THE ONE WHO INVENTED COMPUTERS DID ONE HELL OF A JOB COZ YOU CAN SEE THE NEED OF IT IN MANY PLACES.BUT THOUGH WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT COMPUTERS.THANK YOU.

Answer by utibe jonah
Submitted on 6/28/2004
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i think whatever progress that we are making is just on top of a foundation laid by abacus. no matter what , abacus deserved a credit.

Answer by Darnell E. Gomop-as
Submitted on 6/30/2004
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history of computer? Early Development of Electronic Data Processing?

Answer by Camelia
Submitted on 7/16/2004
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more information bout sixth generation of computer.

Answer by Alelamole Wasiu
Submitted on 7/20/2004
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the sixth generation of computer is all about microprocessor fast accuracy and multiple access and interuption and have interupt request signal

Answer by sagar rajbamshi
Submitted on 8/19/2004
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h9egg9hag948GOP948

Answer by kel
Submitted on 10/2/2004
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i would like to know about the generation of softwares?

Answer by Darius Andres
Submitted on 11/12/2004
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Helo!!!

Answer by Omoyajowo Emmanuel Tayo
Submitted on 11/20/2004
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what Development. in recent computation history points to the fact that technology changes innovations that lead to the forth and fifth computers are not yet over.

Answer by ScientiEAST
Submitted on 11/22/2004
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it is a false,the computer invented by Kallavi Anani_Sikerim,he born in Egypt,The others only developed computer,thanks

Answer by Elmer Yao
Submitted on 12/18/2004
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Nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer by Muhammad omer
Submitted on 2/11/2005
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i thing nothing person now the correct date of generation of computer

Answer by mooman
Submitted on 2/18/2005
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MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Answer by Mush
Submitted on 3/4/2005
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consult encyclopedia.

Answer by amuda ifeoluwa opeyemi
Submitted on 4/21/2005
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i just want to hi,cause u guys have did a great job by treating this topic(generation of computer) to the point of my heart desire cause iv never see any definition that is as good as yours.more grease to your elbow.

Answer by sankari
Submitted on 4/24/2005
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computer introduced 2000 years ago.first generation computer is abacus.we can calculate with the help of abacus beads. Then second generation computer is the Transistor.Ex:vacuum tubes. Then Third one is IC(Integrated Chips) Then Fourth one is LSI(Large Scale Integration) And VLSI (Very Large Integration) Fifth generation computer is being developed at japan.Scientists are trying to develop 5th gene computer and it will do human activities.

Answer by ello ello
Submitted on 4/26/2005
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the actual word abacus comes from the greek word abax meaning to calculate. thats all i no. YAWN. good job on the ratings kat2x

Answer by Sketcha
Submitted on 5/8/2005
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WTF?! What's with the abacus thingy?!

Answer by Nicholas Chileshe
Submitted on 5/10/2005
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A computer generation is the revolution of PCs in terms of their development in architecture, storage capacity and speed.

Answer by JIFFY
Submitted on 6/1/2005
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HELLO!FRIENDS MYSELF JIFFY WANTS TO SAY THAT I AM LUCKY TO BE BORN IN GENERATION OF COMPUTERS. WELL I WANNA SAY THAT OUR LIFE IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT COMPUTER.EVERYONE LIKE ME NEEDS THE HELP OF COMPUTERS LIKE IN HOSPITALS,BANKS,SUPER MARKETS ETC.WE NEED COMPUTER FOR OUR SCHOOL WORK. I AM ALSO WORKING ON COMPUTER TO DO MY HOLIDAY HOMEWORK. THANKS. YOUR FRIEND JIFFY

Answer by Shuvoraj
Submitted on 6/20/2005
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"Hello World". I think there are five Generation of Computer. Follow here..... "Vacuum Tube" used in the 1st generation computer. "Transistor" used in the 2nd generation computer. "IC(Integrated Chips)" used in the 3rd generation computer. "VLSI(Very Large Scale Integrations)" used in the 4th generation computer and "Pro Log" used in the latest 5th generation computer. Nice to meet with all of U. Shuvoraj@yahoo.com BANGLADESH.