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COMPUTER HISTORY AND ITS GENERATIONS
The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different generations of computing devices. Each of the five generations of computers is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate.
The history of
computer development is often referred to in reference to the different generations of computing
devices. Each of the five generations of computers 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 computing devices.
In this Webopedia reference article you'll learn about each of the five generations of computers and the technology developments that have led to the current devices that we use today. Our journey starts in 1940 with vacuum tube circuitry and goes to the present day -- and beyond -- with artificial intelligence.
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.
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 1950s. 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.
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.
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.
Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence
COMPUTER COMPONENTS
SYSTEM UNIT HARD DISK DRIVE
CD FLOPPY DISK
MOUSE
MONITOR
PRINTER
SPEAKERS MODEM
ADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTER
Advantages:
At present computers are usually used in many walks of our life. What they mean for us? They have many applications in science, technology. Since they were invented in 1948 they have became necessary in our life. Even so computers have also some disadvantages.
Using computers offers many pros. Firstly, owning to computers we can keep accounts, write personal letters and do our homework. It is much easier and more aesthetic to write something in computer and print it than type or pen. Also, computer can be useful in office. When you use it you have less paperwork and mess. Then your work is more efficiency and organised, so your boss is glad. What is more computers are being increasingly used in medicine. They are very helpful in medical diagnosis, patient monitoring and general hospital administration.
On the other hand using computers has several disadvantages. They are very bad for health. For example screens destroy eyes even with a low radiation screen. Many people complain for that issue, because then they have to pay for oculists and wear glasses. Also there are a lot of viruses which can influence a computer and destroy the data bank. It is a problem for banks and big concerns which store many of information inside their computers.
In conclusion, computers obviously has both good and bad points. We should remember that computers is especially important to the young generation, that’s why young people ought to know how to use new technology keeping safeness.
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