Computer Generations

The main features of third generation computers are:

1. Integrated Circuits used 2. Even more reliable, smaller, faster, and energy efficient than previous generations 3. Supported high-level language

The main features of fourth generation computers are:

1. LSI and ULSI used 2. Even more reliable, smaller, faster, and energy efficient than previous generations 3. Supported high-level language Very cheap and portable Use of PCs

The main features of the second generation computers are:

1. Use of transistors 2. More reliable, smaller, faster, and energy efficient than first generation 3. Supported machine and assembly languages

Transistor

A device used to open and close a circuit in computer processors and digital memory.

The basic hardware component used in Third Generation Computers is

Integrated Circuit (IC) or Chip

The basic hardware component used in Fourth Generation Computers is

Large scale integration (LSI) and Ultra large scale integration (ULSI) (microprocessor)

Vacuum Tubes

These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and the the tubes would break frequently. Therefore, they were very expensive and only large organizations were able to afford it.

The basic hardware component used in Second Generation Computers is

Transistor

The main features of fifth generation computers are:

ULSI used Development of artificial intelligence (AI) More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates

The basic hardware component used in First Generation Computers is

Vacuum Tubes

The main features of the first generation computers are:

Vacuum tube technology Unreliable Supported machine language only Very costly Generated a lot of heat Slow input and output devices Huge size Need of AC Non-portable Consumed a lot of electricity