Computer Generations: Milestones in Computing History

First Generation Computers (1946-1957)

The first generation of computers, spanning from 1946 to 1957, was characterized by the use of electronic valves and vacuum tubes for their construction. These early computers were:

• Large and heavy
• Consumed significant amounts of energy
• Prone to frequent breakdowns

Data input was primarily through punched cards or tapes. These machines were predominantly used for scientific calculations. The primary language for communication was machine language. The most well-known computer of this era was the ENIAC.

Second Generation Computers (1958-1964)

Computers developed between 1958 and 1964 belong to the second generation. A significant advancement was the use of transistors in their circuits and ferrite core memory. This technological leap resulted in computers that were:

• Much smaller than their predecessors
• Had lower power consumption
• Capable of performing approximately 10 billion operations per minute

Data for these computers was provided via magnetic tape. They began utilizing symbolic languages such as FORTRAN and COBOL. These machines started to be employed for administrative tasks and supported some forms of sequential processing. The first machine of this generation was the Bell Laboratories TRADIC.

Third Generation Computers (1965-1971)

The third generation encompasses computers that emerged between 1965 and 1971. A defining feature was the incorporation of integrated circuits (chips), leading to the rise of microelectronics – the development of microscopic electronic components. With this new technology, computers achieved:

• Speeds of approximately 100 million operations per second
• Further reductions in physical size

This generation also introduced multiprocessing, allowing computers to perform several processes simultaneously, and saw the widespread adoption of advanced programming languages.

Fourth Generation Computers (1972-1981)

Spanning from 1972 to 1981, the fourth generation is marked by the appearance of large-scale integrated circuits (LSIC), which were more evolved and complex. These new computers were not only used in large companies but also became accessible as personal computers. Key characteristics included:

• Smaller size
• More affordable pricing
• Ability to use different programs for various applications

Fifth Generation Computers (1981-Present)

The term "fifth generation" includes all computers developed from 1981 onwards. While still utilizing integrated circuits, these computers are characterized by their great speed. It was in this generation that personal computers became widely adopted. Furthermore, this era saw the beginning of significant research and development in artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to design computers capable of developing certain features of the human brain.