About the Computer

The evolution of computer had passed many different stages. The developments of computers from 1943 AD to till the date are divided into five periods. The development of computers took place in each time period is known as Generation of computer. In each generation there is much advancement in computer technologies. Due to advancement in technology the computers became smaller, cheaper, more powerful, more efficient and reliable than the previous generation of computers. Here some list of advancement in computer technology during five periods;

1. Vacuum Tube  First Generation Computer

2. Transistor Second Generation Computer

3. Integrated Circuit Third Generation Computer

4. LSI and VLSI Fourth Generation Computer

5. Biochip Fifth Generation Computer

First Generation Computer

The first generation computers were developed during 1946 to 1958 AD. The first generation computers used vacuum tubes as the main electronic component. They were huge, slow, expensive and not reliable. They used to consume a lot of electric power and produced so much heat that they had to be cooled by air conditioner. ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC-I etc are some examples of the first generation computers.

Second Generation Computers

The second generation computers were developed during 1959 to 1964 AD. They used transistor as the main electronic component. Due to the transistors the second generation computers became more powerful, smaller, reliable, faster and less expensive than first generation computers. UNIVAC-II, IBM-700, IBM-1401, NCR-300 etc are the second generation computers.

Third Generation Computer

The third generation computers were developed during 1965 to 1074 AD. They used integrated circuits as the main electronic components. The IC is also called the chip. A chip contains hundreds of transistors and other electronic components. Due to ICs, the third generation computers were smaller, faster, cheaper, more powerful, more capable and more reliable than the second generation computers. IBM-370, NAV-7500, CDC-1700, ICL-2903, PDP-11/45 etc are some third generation computers.

Fourth Generation Computer

The development of fourth generation computers was started from 1075 AD. The computers what are you using nowadays belongs to the fourth generation computer. The fourth generation computers are based on microprocessor. The first microprocessor 'Intel 4004' was developed in 1071 AD by American Intel Corporation. The fourth generation computers are smaller, cheaper, faster, more efficient, more capable and more reliable than the third generation computers.

Fifth Generation Computer

The computers of fourth generation work on the instructions and they do not have any thinking power. They even do not understand natural language like English, Nepali, and Japanese etc. To overcome these types of drawbacks the scientists are trying to make such computer that can understand natural languages, think and decide. Such an artificial intelligent computers will be in the fifth generation. Fifth generation computers are supposed to be ideal computers.