Introduction
Computer is a most familiar word for all children and elders in modern society. You can see a computer from anywhere and recognize it at any time. Basically, a computer is a programmable electronic device capable of processing, storing, and retrieving data.
In the current world computers are playing a vital role in virtually every sector such as health, education, transportation, and etc. To become what it is today, it has passed several generations. This story started in the early 19th century. And it has changed the whole world during the 20th century. You all know how it has transformed various aspects of our lives, from communication and entertainment to business and science. Really, computers have become a valuable assets in our lives within a short time.
Here we are considering the journey of this invaluable icon. you can get more knowledge about the past of the computer, under the following topics.
Foundation of computers
1st Generation Computers
2nd Generation Computers
3rd Generation Computers
4th Generation Computers
5th Generation Computers
Let’s consider one by one.
Foundation of computers
In the past, people have wanted to simplify the calculating mechanisms. Therefore, we can say calculation is a theorized foundation of a computer. Mathematicians and entrepreneurs, mechanical calculating machines were designed and built to solve the increasingly complex number-crunching challenges.
When we were kids, we had an “Abacus” on which we learned basic mathematical skills.In the early days, people used the abacus to simplify their calculations too. The abacus originated in ancient Mesopotamia and was widely used by merchants for calculations.
Abacus
“Napier's Bones”, developed by John Napier, facilitated complex mathematical calculations through a system of rods inscribed with multiplication tables using the concept of logarithms. In about 1632, “Slide Ruler” was made using the same concept.
Slide Ruler
Napier's Bones
The “Pascaline (Adding Machine)” was introduced by Blaise Pascal in about 1642. This is the first mechanical calculator, which was capable of performing addition and subtraction through a series of gears and wheels.
Pascaline
In about 1674, Gottfried Wilhelm modified this Pascaline and it was named “Step Reckoner”. By the Step Reckoner performed deviation and multiplication rather than addition and subtraction.
Step Reckoner
An English mathematician Charles Babbage conceived the first mechanical computer structure that would be able to compute tables of numbers. It was called the "Difference Engine", and failed due to the lack of technology at the time.
In about 1833, The “Analytical Engine” was introduced by Charles Babbage, using the Punch Card Concept was introduced by Joseph Jacquard. The special features such as data input, process, storing and output seen in today’s computers were also had in this Analytical Engine. Therefore, Charles Babbage is called as the “Father of the Computer”.
Charles Babbage & Analytical Engine
Ada Augusta Lovelace writes the world's first computer program. That is why she is called as “The first computer programmer”. Lovelace writes the first program while translating a paper on Babbage's Analytical Engine from French into English. Her annotations, simply called "notes," turn out to be three times as long as the actual transcript.
Alan Turing, presents the principle of a universal machine, later called the Turing machine. Turing machines are capable of computing anything that is computable. The central concept of the modern computer is based on his ideas.
In about 1937, Howard Aiken tried to modify the concept of Babbage’s. As a result of this he and his friends was created the “Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator”. Later called as Mark-I. When consider about the characteristics of the Mark-I,
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division can be calculated simply.
Data input by keyboard and output by Punch Card.
There are 3000+ Electromechanical relays included in Mark-I.
The weight is about 5 tons.
John Vincent Atanasoff submits a grant proposal to build the first electric-only computer, without using gears, cams, belts or shafts.
In about 1941, Atanasoff and Clifford Berry, designed the first digital electronic computer called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). This marks the first time a computer is able to store information on its main memory, and is capable of performing one operation every 15 seconds. But this is not a complete one.
In about 1945, John Von Neumann, A Mathematician, provided a new concept to the world. The basic idea was “to be able to multitask in one computer using stored programs without making physical changes to the computer”. Today's computers’ use this concept.
1st Generation Computers
First-generation computers, which emerged in the late 1940s and continued into the early 1960s, were characterized by their reliance on vacuum tube technology. first-generation computers represented a significant advancement in computing technology. Input was predicated on punched cards and paper tape. Output emerged on printouts.
vacuum tube
About 1946, At the University of Pennsylvania, introduced the world’s first Electronic Digital Computer named ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer). There are about 18,000 vacuum tubes used to make this computer. The ENIAC computer performed about 5000 mathematical operations in a second.
ENIAC
About 1950, At the Institute of Remington Rand, Introduced the UNIVAC - I(Universal Automatic Calculator - I). This computer performed about 10,000 mathematical operations in a second.
About 1957, At the Institute of IBM, introduced the IBM 704 Computer. This is performed about 100,000 mathematical operations in a second.
Here's an overview of the features of 1st generation computers.
Vacuum Tubes: First-generation computers used vacuum tubes as their primary electronic components for performing logic operations and amplification.
Limited Programmability: Programming first-generation computers involved manually wiring or configuring the machine to perform specific tasks. Programmers used machine language or assembly language for programming.
Batch Processing: First-generation computers typically operated in batch processing mode, where programs and data were processed sequentially, one after the other.
Limited Memory: Memory in first-generation computers was extremely limited and much slower compared to modern standards. Magnetic drums or tape were commonly used for storing data and programs
Used machine language: which is the most fundamental programming language that computers can understand.
Here is an outline of advantages and disadvantages of first-generation computers.
2nd Generation Computers
Second-generation computers emerged in the late 1950s and lasted throughout the 1960s. These computers are primarily due to the adoption of transistors. They represented a significant advancement over first-generation computers, due to the adoption of transistor technology instead of vacuum tubes.
Transistor
Second-generation computers still count on punched cards for input/printouts. The adoption of transistor technology laid the groundwork for subsequent generations of computers and paved the way for the digital revolution of the late 20th century.
Here's an overview of the features of 2nd generation computers.
Transistor Technology: The most significant advancement in second-generation computers was the replacement of vacuum tubes with transistors. Transistors were smaller, more reliable, and more energy-efficient than vacuum tubes, leading to smaller and faster computers.
Smaller Size: With the introduction of transistors, second-generation computers became significantly smaller in size compared to their first-generation counterparts. This reduction in size made them more practical for commercial applications and allowed for easier maintenance.
Reduced Power Consumption: Transistors consumed much less power than vacuum tubes, resulting in reduced energy consumption and heat generation. This improvement in power efficiency was crucial for making computers more affordable to operate.
Improved Reliability: Transistors were more reliable and durable than vacuum tubes, leading to fewer hardware failures and increased overall system reliability. This improvement in reliability contributed to greater uptime and productivity.
Magnetic Core Memory: Second-generation computers often used magnetic core memory for storage. Magnetic core memory was faster, more reliable, and more compact than the drum and tape-based memory used in first-generation computers.
High-Level Programming Languages: Second-generation computers saw the development and widespread adoption of high-level programming languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN, and ALGOL. These languages made programming more accessible and allowed programmers to write code at a higher level of abstraction.
Batch Processing and Multiprogramming: Second-generation computers continued to operate primarily in batch processing mode, where programs and data were processed sequentially. However, advances in operating systems allowed for limited multiprogramming, where multiple programs could be loaded into memory simultaneously and executed concurrently.
Peripheral Devices: Second-generation computers were equipped with a variety of peripheral devices such as magnetic tape drives, disk drives, and printers. These devices enabled more efficient data storage, retrieval, and output, further enhancing the capabilities of the computer systems.
Here is an outline of advantages and disadvantages of second-generation computers.
3rd Generation Computers
Third-generation computers emerged in the 1960s and lasted throughout the 1970s. They represented another significant leap forward in computing technology, characterized by the use of Integrated Circuits (ICs) instead of individual transistors. Just know that an IC is a hardware component of a computer. In this generation, punch cards were replaced by mouse and keyboard.
Integrated Circuits
Third-generation computers represented a significant milestone in the evolution of computing technology, marked by the widespread adoption of integrated circuits and the development of more advanced software and operating systems. These advancements laid the groundwork for further innovations in subsequent generations of computers.
Here are some key features of third-generation computers,
Integrated Circuits (ICs): The most significant advancement in third-generation computers was the use of integrated circuits (ICs), which combined multiple transistors, resistors, and capacitors on a single semiconductor chip. ICs were smaller, more reliable, and more energy-efficient than discrete transistors, allowing for greater computational power and density.
Miniaturization: With the introduction of ICs, third-generation computers became significantly smaller in size compared to their predecessors. This miniaturization allowed for more powerful and compact computer systems, making them more practical for a wider range of applications.
Increased Processing Power: Third-generation computers were faster and more powerful than previous generations due to advancements in IC technology. The integration of multiple components on a single chip allowed for greater processing speed and efficiency.
Greater Memory Capacity: IC-based memory systems, such as semiconductor RAM (random-access memory) and ROM (read-only memory), provided increased memory capacity and faster access times compared to magnetic core memory used in earlier generations.
Operating Systems: Third-generation computers saw the development and adoption of more sophisticated operating systems, such as UNIX and IBM's OS/360. These operating systems provided features such as multitasking, virtual memory, and file management, enhancing the functionality and usability of the computers.
Introduction of High-Level Languages: Third-generation computers continued the trend of using high-level programming languages, such as COBOL, FORTRAN, and ALGOL, which were further refined and optimized for improved performance and productivity.
Multiprogramming and Time-Sharing: Advancements in operating system technology enabled third-generation computers to support more advanced computing modes, such as multiprogramming and time-sharing. These techniques allowed multiple users to simultaneously access and interact with the computer system, improving efficiency and resource utilization.
Peripheral Devices: Third-generation computers were equipped with a wide range of peripheral devices, including disk drives, magnetic tape drives, printers, and terminals. These devices provided expanded capabilities for data storage, input/output operations, and communication.
Here is an outline of advantages and disadvantages of third-generation computers.
4th Generation Computers
Fourth-generation computers emerged in the late 1970s and continued into the 1980s. This era saw the introduction of microprocessors, which revolutionized computing by integrating the entire CPU onto a single chip.
Microprocessors
It was the world’s first commercially available microprocessor and laid the groundwork for the personal computer revolution.
Here are the key features of fourth-generation computers:
Microprocessor Technology: The most significant advancement in fourth-generation computers was the development and widespread adoption of microprocessors. These integrated circuits contained the entire central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip, along with memory, input/output interfaces, and other components.
Increased Processing Speed: Microprocessors enabled fourth-generation computers to achieve significantly higher processing speeds compared to previous generations. This increase in processing power allowed for faster execution of instructions and improved overall system performance.
Miniaturization: Microprocessors were much smaller in size compared to the discrete components used in earlier generations of computers. This miniaturization allowed for smaller and more compact computer systems, paving the way for personal computers (PCs) and other portable devices.
Lower Cost: The use of microprocessors resulted in lower manufacturing costs for fourth-generation computers compared to previous generations. This reduction in cost made computers more affordable and accessible to a wider range of users, including individuals and small businesses.
Increased Memory Capacity: Fourth-generation computers continued the trend of increasing memory capacity, with improvements in semiconductor memory technology leading to higher storage densities and faster access times.
Operating System Evolution: Fourth-generation computers saw the development and refinement of modern operating systems such as MS-DOS, UNIX, and early versions of Microsoft Windows. These operating systems provided improved user interfaces, multitasking capabilities, and support for a wider range of software applications.
Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs): GUIs began to gain popularity in fourth-generation computers, allowing users to interact with the computer using visual elements such as windows, icons, and menus. This made computers more user-friendly and intuitive, especially for non-technical users.
Networking and Connectivity: Fourth-generation computers saw advancements in networking technology, enabling computers to connect to each other and share resources such as files, printers, and internet access. This laid the groundwork for the development of local area networks (LANs) and the internet.
Expansion of Software Applications: Fourth-generation computers supported a wide range of software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics design, and gaming. This expanded software ecosystem contributed to the growing popularity and versatility of computers in various industries and domains.
Here is an outline of advantages and disadvantages of fourth-generation computers.
5th Generation Computers
Fifth-generation computers represent the current state of computing technology, characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), parallel processing, and natural language processing. These computers are designed to simulate human-like intelligence and behavior, enabling them to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. We know that computer devices with artificial intelligence technology are still in development.
5th-generation computers represent a convergence of advanced technologies aimed at creating intelligent, adaptive, and efficient computing systems. They have the potential to revolutionize various industries and domains, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and entertainment, by enabling innovative applications and solutions powered by AI and data analytics.
Here are the key features of 5th-generation computers:
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Fifth-generation computers are powered by advanced AI algorithms and technologies, allowing them to analyze vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and make decisions autonomously. AI enables computers to perform tasks such as image recognition, speech recognition, and natural language understanding.
Parallel Processing: Fifth-generation computers leverage parallel processing techniques to divide complex tasks into smaller subtasks and execute them simultaneously across multiple processing units. This parallelism enables faster computation and improved efficiency, making it possible to handle large-scale data processing and complex computations.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): Fifth-generation computers are equipped with NLP capabilities, allowing them to understand and generate human language. NLP enables computers to interact with users through natural language interfaces, such as voice assistants and chatbots, and perform tasks such as language translation, sentiment analysis, and text summarization.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning: Fifth-generation computers utilize machine learning and deep learning algorithms to train models on large datasets and improve their performance over time. These techniques enable computers to recognize patterns, make predictions, and adapt to new data without explicit programming, leading to more intelligent and adaptive systems.
Big Data Analytics: Fifth-generation computers are equipped to handle large volumes of data, often referred to as big data, and extract valuable insights from it. They use advanced analytics techniques such as data mining, predictive modeling, and machine learning to uncover hidden patterns, trends, and correlations in complex datasets.
Cloud Computing: Fifth-generation computers leverage cloud computing infrastructure and services to scale resources dynamically and access computing power and storage on demand. Cloud computing enables flexible deployment options, cost-effective scalability, and increased accessibility to computing resources.
Internet of Things (IoT) Integration: Fifth-generation computers integrate with IoT devices and sensors to collect real-time data from the physical world and analyze it for insights and decision-making. IoT integration enables applications such as smart cities, connected vehicles, and industrial automation, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Cybersecurity and Privacy: Fifth-generation computers prioritize cybersecurity and privacy by implementing advanced encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms. They employ techniques such as anomaly detection, threat intelligence, and behavioral analytics to detect and mitigate cyber threats in real-time.
Here is an outline of advantages and disadvantages of fifth-generation computers.
