History-of-Computer - Chandra's Concept

History of Computer

The history of computers starts from 3000 BC when a Chinese person developed a machine named ABACUS. Thereafter we had seen many developments in the Computer system.
In 1617 AD an English mathematician John Napier developed a machine for performing multiplication named Napier's Bones.
In the 16th century, an English mathematician Edmond Genter developed a machine Slide Rule. This machine was able to perform many calculations such as Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and division.
In 1642 AD Blaise Pascal a French Mathematician and scientist developed a machine named "Adding machine or Pascaline" which was the first successful mechanical calculator. This machine could perform addition and subtraction only.
In 1673 AD the German mathematician & philosopher Gottfried Leibniz designed a calculating machine which only performs multiplication.
In 1833 AD Charles Babbage an English mathematician and developed a machine named "Analytical Engine" for automatic computation of mathematical tables. Later he developed a machine named "Difference Engine" that could generate some function value automatically. Charles Babbage is called The Father Of Computer.
In 1944 ENAIC (Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator/Computer) was developed at the University of Pennsylvania by John Eckert and John Mauchy. It's known as the first electronic computer in the world.

Generation of Computer

Generations of computer are classified at the base of the technology is/was being used in the computer system. There are a total of five computer generations known till now. Each generation has been given below with their time period and characteristic. (Here approximate dates against each generation have been mentioned which are normally accepted but can vary book to book or on writer thought.)

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First Generations of Computer (1946-1959)
  • Vacuumed tubes or valves were used to work in the first-generation computer.
  • Speed was limited up to 10-30 instruction.
  • Its size was up to a big hall or small building (approx 50fits x 30fits).
  • Machine language (0 and 1only) was used to communicate with the computer system.
  • It was not reliable due to the failure of vacuum tubes.
  • Air Condition was essential because of its heating problem.
  • It used to consume lots of electricity.
  • It was very costly.
  • It was non-portable.
  • It has slow input and output device.
Some computers of this generation were:
  • ENIAC
  • EDVAC
  • UNIVAC
  • IBM-701
  • IBM-650
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Second Generations of Computer (1959-1965)
  • In this generation, the transistor was used at the place of vacuumed tubes in a computer system.
  • Speed increased up to 6-10 instructions.
  • Smaller size as compared to the first generation,
  • Reliability increased due to less failure of the transistor,
  • Assembly language was used to communicate with the computer system.
  • Consumed less electricity as compared to the first generation,
Some computers of this generation were:
  • IBM 1620
  • IBM 7094
  • CDC 1604
  • CDC 3600
  • UNIVAC 1108
  • Leo Mark III
  • ATLUS
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Third Generations of Computer (1965-1971)
  • IC (Integrated Circuit) replaced Transistor.
  • Operating System like system software (Such As- MS-DOS) was developed in this generation,
  • More reliable in comparison to the previous two generations.
  • Various Input devices were developed. Such as MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Reader) and OMR (Optical Mark Reader).
  • Speed increased up to 10^-9 instructions.
  • High-Level Languages (HLL) like COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language), BASIC (Beginners Purposes Symbolic Instruction Code), Fortron, etc were used to communicate with the computer system.
Some computers of this generation were:
  • IBM-360 Series
  • Honeywell-6000 series
  • PDP (Personal Data Processor)
  • IBM-370/168
  • TDC-316
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Fourth Generations of Computer (1971-2010)
  • LSIC (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) (Micro-Processor) replaced IC in this generation.
  • Operating speed increases between Nano and Picosecond range.
  • Internal Storage capacity increased.
  • Size reduce dramatically 
  • The concept of the internet was introduced.
  • Great developments in the field of networks.
  • Computers become easily available.
Some computers of this generation were:
  • DEC 10
  • STAR 1000
  • PDP 11
  • PC 386, 486, 586
  • CRAY-1 (Super Computer)
  • CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer)
  • HONEYWELL 6080
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Fifth Generations of Computer (2010- Now Wards)
  • ULSI (Micro-Processor) technology.
  • Development of true artificial intelligence.
  • Development of Natural language processing.
  • Advancement in Superconductor technology.
  • Advancement in Parallel Processing.
  • More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features.
  • Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates.
AI Includes:
  • Robotics
  • Natural Networks
  • Game Playing
  • Development of an expert system to make decisions in real-life situations.
  • Natural language understanding and generations.
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