Generations of Computer 1st To 5th Explained With Pictures

3/13/23, 11:42 PM 1st to 5th Generations of Computer: Complete Information.
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Computer Basics » Generations of Computer 1st to 5th Explained with Pictures.
Generations Of Computer 1st To 5th Explained With Pictures.

26 Comments / By Editorial Team / January 12, 2021
The history of computer technology is often used to refer to the origin of all the different generations of
computers. From first to fifth each computer generation is characterized by significant technological
development in their components, memory, and elements which essentially changed the way these devices work.
Several periods of generation from over the years advanced the technological evolution leads to the creation of
today’s modern computer with more complex, more powerful, and increased capability and functionality.
Table of Contents [hide]
Introduction to Computer Generations

Generations of Computer From 1st to 5th
1st Generation of Computer (1940-1956)
2nd Generation of Computer (1956-1964)
3rd Generation of Computer (1964-1971)
4th Generation of Computer (1971-2010)
5th Generation of Computer (2010-At Present)
Classification of the computer by generations
Factors/Reasons for the development of computer generations:
FAQs
Introduction to Computer Generations
This development period of electronic computing technology is called Computer Generation. There are five
generations of computers identified, although the sixth generation could be in development now in the early 21st
century.
During the evolutionary timeline, each generation of computers has improved a lot by undergoing considerable 
changes in their size, type, and functionality.
https://digitalworld839.com/generations-of-computer-first-to-fifth/ 1/25
By analyzing them, one can trace the evolution of computer technology, to see how the computer industry has
changed over the years and how great capabilities and software progress has been made by humankind in under
a hundred years, as a result, the creation of different generations.
At present, the computer is playing a significant part in human existence because today’s digital computer is
being used for every work in each field. If someday an issue occurs in the computer or the server is down, at that
point all the work stops. This is how significant it is for technology development!
In this article, I will introduce you to all the generations of computers with pictures by explaining the complete
information about their characteristics, names, components, and examples too.
Generations of Computer From 1st to

5th
Let’s discover the series of computer generations in the following list:
1st Generation of Computer (1940-1956)
This first generation of computers was based on vacuum tube technology used for calculations, storage, and
control, invented in 1904 by John Ambrose Fleming. The vacuum tubes and diode valves were the chief 
components of the first generations of computers.
First-generation computers relied on the lowest-level machine language, in order to perform operations, and
could only solve a single problem at a point of time.
Magnetic drums were used as the memory in these computers (were very slow in speed). The punched and
magnetic tapes were used for the input and output function of the computer in order to display on prints even the
results weren’t 100% accurate.
Also, the first generation of computers available was based on the 8-bit microprocessor.

The disadvantages of 1st gen computers are that they were very enormous in size and heavy in weight (made of
thousands of vacuum tubes), occupying large rooms. Also, once they were kept in one place it was difficult to
transfer. Another con like using a decimal number system and many switches and cables.
In addition, they were also very expensive to operate with using a large amount of electricity, the vacuum tubes
produced large amounts of heat, so an air conditioner was required for the proper functioning unless a lot of heat
can cause a malfunction.
The advantage of the first generation of computers is that they could calculate in milliseconds (about five
thousand sums per second.)
The computers of first-generation were managed to use in different fields like weather forecasting, solving
mathematical problems, energy tasks, also in space research, military, and other scientific tasks.
In the first generation of computers, the first computer of the world named “ENIAC” (Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer) was discovered by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert in the year between 1943 to
1945.
ENIAC used panel-to-panel wiring and switches for programming, occupied more than 1,000 square feet, used
about 18,000 vacuum tubes, and weighed 30 tons.
Characteristics of the 1st Generation of Computer:


Vacuum tubes and diode valves were used as the main electronic component in the first generation
computers.
Punch cards, paper tape utilized for input and output operations.
Magnetic drums used for storage.
Huge in size and weight with a lot of power consumption.
Very expensive in price also not reliable.
Computers were programmed with low-level machine language also has low operating speed.
Examples
Examples of the first generation of computers are ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer),
UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) EDSEC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator), EDVAC
(Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer), (Electronic delay storage automatic calculator), IBM -701 and
IBM 650.
ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic digital computer. This computer about 18,000 vacuum tubes
used for the calculation result in huge in size, occupied more than 1,000 square feet, and weighed 30 tons.
These were the harbingers of today’s digital computers. This first computing machine was designed by people J.
P. Eckert, W. Mosley, J. W. Mauchly.
2nd Generation of Computer (1956-1964)
The second generation of computers replaced the vacuum tubes with a reliable component called transistors for
manufacturing of computers was invented by William Shockley in 1947.
The transistors were the revolution in the computer field because this component advantaged the 2nd gen 
computer by increasing the performance, operating speed (hundreds of thousands of operations per second), as
well as decreasing the electricity consumption of the computers.
Transistors were far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to get faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient
made and possible to reduce the size of computing equipment and ultimately heat reduced and reliability
improved.
Computers of second-generation are characterized by the use of the first high-level programming languages,
allowing programmers to specify instructions in words. At this time, early versions of COBOL, ALGOL, SNOBOL,
and FORTRAN languages were developed.
These were the first computers to store their instructions in their memory, which went from a magnetic drum to
magnetic core technology. During this period, the first computer game name “Spacewar” was seen on a PDP-1
computer.
Do you know~ that the oldest abacus was a computing machine designed to calculate
thousands of years ago, which is still used in schools today to do calculations.
Also, the concept of Central Processing Unit (CPU), multi-programming operating systems, programming

language, memory, and input and output units (I / O units) were developed in the timeline of second-generation
computers.
The major disadvantages of Second-generation computers were they still relied on punch cards for input and
hard copies for output as well as still it was difficult to move the computers for the reason they were enough large
and even some computers needed ACs.
This second generation of computers was first used in the fields like the atomic energy industry and nuclear
power plants and other commercial fields.
Characteristics of the 2nd Generation of Computer:
Computers based on transistors instead of vacuum tubes.

Magnetic Tape was used to store data.
Relatively small in size and reduced weight with low energy consumption than 1st gen computers.
Faster, reliable, and less expensive than the first generation.
Use of storage devices, printers, and operating systems, etc.
Higher-level languages like COBOL, ALGOL, SNOBOL, and FORTRAN were developed and used.
Examples
Examples of the second generation of computers include IBM 1620, CDC 1604, IBM 7094, UNIVAC 1108, IBM
620, CDC 3600, IBM 4044, Honeywell 400, IBM 1401 Mainframe, and PDP-1 minicomputer. IBM was actively
working, producing transistor versions of its computers.
3rd Generation of Computer (1964-1971) 
The third generation appeared in the form of integrated circuits (invented by Jack Kilby from 1958 to 1964). An
IC (integrated circuit) is consists of many small transistors mounted on chips, which are called semiconductors.
This synchronized chip became an important foundation for the third generation computers when scientists
combined hundreds of transistors fit in this circuit result in a more powerful electronic segment called an
integrated circuit.
Multiprogramming was implemented (this is when there are several executable programs in memory) at the same
time that it diminished their manufacturing costs. In the mid-60s. IBM improved the term “computer architecture”.
By the end of the 60s. mini-computers appeared.
This revolutionary innovation allowed to expansion of the processing capacity and memory of the machines.
Instead of punch cards and prints, users interacted via keyboards and monitors, and interacted with an
operating system, allowing the device to run various applications at once with a central program that monitored
the memory.
As you can see, the first appearance of computer monitors fell on the second generation of computers. The
invention belongs to the company IBM, which in 1964 released the commercial display station IBM-2250.
it was used in the system/360 series. The model had a vector monochrome display measuring 12×12 inches, with
a resolution of 1024×1024 pixels and a refresh rate of 40 Hz. This invention revolutionized today’s different types
of monitors including LCD, LED, OLED, and Curved Shaped monitors.
The invention of IC incredibly decreased the size of computers and made it easy for transportation from one
place to another. The working speed and efficiency of this generation of computers were much faster than the
previous generation and even cheaper.
High-end languages such as PASCAL, BASIC, FORTRAN – II TO IV, COBOL, ALGOL developed in this
generation.
For the first time, they got access to a mass audience allowed computers to penetrate into different spheres of
human activity since they were smaller and cheaper. Along these, they turned out to be more specialized (i.e.,
there were different computers for different tasks).
The 3rd generation of computers was the initial move towards the miniaturization of computers and quickly
expanded their scope: control, automation of scientific experiments, data transmission, etc. In addition to being
used in the manufacture of radios, TVs, and other similar devices.
Characteristics of the 3rd Generation of Computer:
In this generation, computers based on Integrated Circuit was more powerful than the transistor.
The size of the computers was likewise little because the size of the IC being more modest than the circuit
size of the transistors.

More reliable, inexpensive, faster, energy-efficient, as well as very light in weight than 2nd gen computers.
The first Computer Mouse and Keyboard were appeared and used in the 3rd generation of computers
Use of new versions of high-level languages like BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN, PASCAL, and ALGOL
Available for a mass audience and made it possible for general purpose usage.
Examples
Some of the most popular models of the 3rd generation of computers were the ICL 2903, ICL 1900, TDC-B16,
IBM 360 and 370, Honeywell 6000, UNIVAC 1108, PDP-8, and PDP-11, which were ideal in their handling
multiprocessing capabilities, reliability, and flexibility than previous generations.
4th Generation of Computer (1971-2010)
The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits equivalent to
about millions of transistors were assembled and brought the whole central processing unit and other
fundamental elements of the machine into a small chip called a microprocessor fitted on the CPU socket.
These computers used Very Large Scale Integrated circuits technology also called VLSI technology. After the
invention, the microprocessor began to used in computing machines in the fourth and fifth generations of
computers.
Within the framework of the considered generation in 1971, the first microprocessor appeared as an unexpected
result of Intel’s work on calculator circuits and further development of minicomputers ( PDP-11 ).
The first personal computer and a microcomputer was “ALTAIR” developed by the company MITS in 1974. Also,
the first microprocessor was the Intel 4004, manufactured in 1971, initially for an electronic calculator. Whereas
the computers of the first generation filled an entire room, while now the 4th generation ‘microprocessors’ fit in
the palm of the hand.
This generation of computers used an operating system based on the graphical user interface (GUI), which
means these numbers were very easy to perform mathematical and logical tasks.
The computers started to utilize high-speed memory systems on integrated circuits with a capacity of several
megabytes. Computer performance has increased significantly (hundreds of millions of operations per second).
The high-level language like C, C ++, Java, PHP, Python, Visual Basic, was utilized to compose programs in the
computers of the fourth generation.
The advent of the first personal computers in the mid-70s gave every common user the same computing
resources that enormous computers had during the 60s. These computers were made more modest, faster, and
less expensive can undoubtedly be put on a table or desk. Which marked the so-called era of personal
computers.
Peripheral devices examples, such as mice, joysticks, handheld devices, etc., were developed during this 4th
generation. Computers could be connected together in a network to share information with each other, this has
played an important role in the birth and development of LAN, Ethernet, and the Internet.
The most popular companies in the world like Intel and AMD were rising. Then again, companies like Microsoft
and Apple introduced their operating systems ‘Windows’ and ‘Macintosh’ in the generation of this computer.
Because of which the act of multimedia started.
This is the era where personal computers were born, an idea that actually persists today. Also, these were the
generation of DEC’s (Digital Equipment Corporation) minicomputers.
Characteristics of the 4th Generation of Computer:
Computers based on microprocessors and VLSI technology.

The computers of 4th gen were small in size, lightweight, and almost portable computers.
The integrating of multi cores in processors like Dual core, Octa core, etc has began.
The processing speed of this computer generation was much faster and reliable than the previous three
generations.
The size and cost of power supply units has reduced.
Use of languages like C, C ++, .Net, Java, PHP, Python, Visual Basic.
Use of GUI Based OS with more memory capacity.
Accessible to the Internet.
Due to the low cost of these computers, they were available to every common man.
Examples
Desktops, Laptops, Workstations, Tablets, Chromebooks, and Smartphones, are examples of the fourth
generation of computers.
Good to Know~ Alan Turing is the father of modern computers born in England in
1912.
5th Generation of Computer (2010-At Present)
Artificial intelligence is the name of the fifth as well as the latest generation of computers based on ULSI (Ultra
Large Scale Integration) technology is the process of integrating or embedding millions of transistors on a single
silicon microchip.
Computing in the 5th computer generation is versatile made portable, powerful, lightweight, innovative,
comfortable with low electricity consumption. Because of the Internet’s advantages, it extended its limits of use to
limits never before suspected.
The main objective of the latest fifth-generation computing and effort made by computer researchers is to make
them smart by incorporating Artificial Intelligence so as to develop devices that respond to the input of natural
language and are capable of learning and self-organizing even in 2022 it is under development.
This new information technology has greatly increased the size and working ability of the microprocessor, which
has prompted the use of computers in the various fields of Entertainment, Accounting, Educational institutes,
Film-making, Traffic-control, Business applications, and Hospitals, Engineering, Researches, Defense, etc.
That’s why a computer of the 5th generation is also known as the AI (Artificial Intelligence) generation of
computers. 
Some computers are being intended to do all the work themselves as a human act, behave, and communicate.
The best example of this is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based computing machine in the 5th generation of
computers “Sophia” a robot.
Characteristics of the 5th Generation of Computer:
The main focus on AI-based computers.

Computers made of microprocessors based on ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology.
The processing speed is quite high can perform billions of calculations in a second.
Computers are portable, cheap, reliable, fast, and available in various forms and sizes like a Desktop,
Laptop, Smartphone, Smartwatches, etc.
Invention of the operating system such as Windows, Macintosh and ChromeOS of Chromebooks.
Multimedia has evolved in this generation by combining Sound, Graphics, or Picture and Text.
Development of Internet of Things.
Examples
Computers of the fifth generation are being made to think like us. For which continuous advancement of
technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Robotics, etc. Although the examples of AI computing
software such as Chatbots, Windows Cortana, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, Speech recognition, that are being
used today.
Classification of the computer by generations
Computer Computing Examples Advantages Disadvantag


Generation Technology es
and
Features.
ENIAC, Huge, slow,

Computers EDSAC expensive, li
1st Used vacuum
based on EDVAC, mited
Generation tubes for
vacuum tube UNIVAC, IBM memory and
(1940-1956) circuitry.
technology. 701 and IBM generates lot
650. of heat.
IBM-7000,
CDC 3000
Slightly
series, IBM
smaller,
4044,
cheaper, Still costly
2nd Computers Honeywell
faster, and and needed
Generation based on 400, IBM
more reliable air
(1956-1964) transistors. 1401
than first conditioning.
Mainframe,
generation
MARK III, and
systems.
PDP-1
minicomputer.
The manual
inter
IBM 360 and Components connection of
Computers 370, like capacitors,
3rd based on Honeywell motherboard, and rectifiers
Generation integrated 6000, keyboard, in
(1964-1971) circuits UNIVAC monitor were semiconducto
technology. 1108, PDP-8, introduced to rs was
and PDP-11. use. tedious and
not totally
reliable.
4th Computers Desktops, Much smaller Thousands of

Generation based on Laptops, and fitted on transistors
(1972-2010) microprocess Workstations, a desktops, were
or chip. Tablets, and laps and contained in 
Smartphones. palms. The CPU.
Interne and
mouse
introduced.
Chatbots,
Computers Much faster
Cortana,
based on and relaible
Google
5th ULSI than all the
Assistant, In under
Generation technology previous
Apple Siri, development.
(At Present) integrating generation as
Speech
Artificial well as a time
recognition,
intelligence. saver.
and Alexa.
Factors/Reasons for the development of computer generations:
There below are the general factors associated with the development and change in the generations of electronic
computers:
Improvement of the element base,
Downsizing,
Technological progress (increased performance, speed, and memory)
Reduced cost,
Development of software,
Changes in architecture, expansion of the range of tasks solved by computers,
Simplification and standardization of hardware.
Changing the way of interaction between the user and the computer.
FAQs
How many generations of computers have there been?
What is the 6th generation of computers?
Which is the current modern generation of computers today?


What is the historical development of computers according to generation?
What is the generation of a colossus computer?
The sixth will also discover in the future since there are some flaws of technology in this generation that will be
revived or resolved in the upcoming generation.
It takes much time and research to publish such an article ”Generation of Computer 1st to 5th“ If you liked the
insights of the article you can support us by sharing this post on social networks.
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26 thoughts on “Generations of Computer 1st to 5th Explained with Pictures.”
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EDITORIAL TEAM
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3/13/23, 11:42 PM 1st to 5th Generations of Computer: Complete Information.

Computer Basics » Generations of Computer 1st to 5th Explained with Pictures.

Generations Of Computer 1st To 5th Explained With Pictures.

Table of Contents [hide]

Introduction to Computer Generations

Introduction to Computer Generations

Generations of Computer From 1st to

Let’s discover the series of computer generations in the following list:

1st Generation of Computer (1940-1956)

Characteristics of the 1st Generation of Computer:

2nd Generation of Computer (1956-1964)

Characteristics of the 2nd Generation of Computer:

Computers based on transistors instead of vacuum tubes.

3rd Generation of Computer (1964-1971) 

Characteristics of the 3rd Generation of Computer:

4th Generation of Computer (1971-2010)

Characteristics of the 4th Generation of Computer:

Computers based on microprocessors and VLSI technology.

5th Generation of Computer (2010-At Present)

Characteristics of the 5th Generation of Computer:

The main focus on AI-based computers.

Classification of the computer by generations

Computer Computing Examples Advantages Disadvantag

ENIAC, Huge, slow,

4th Computers Desktops, Much smaller Thousands of

Factors/Reasons for the development of computer generations:

Improvement of the element base,

Technological progress (increased performance, speed, and memory)

Changes in architecture, expansion of the range of tasks solved by computers,

Simplification and standardization of hardware.

How many generations of computers have there been?

What is the 6th generation of computers?

Which is the current modern generation of computers today?

What is the historical development of computers according to generation?

What is the generation of a colossus computer?

7 Characteristics of Computer, (Features of Personal Computer).

Top Different Uses Of Computer In Daily Life With Images.

10+ Uses Of Computer In Education (Schools & Colleges).

10 Different Types of Slots on the Motherboard (Uses Explained).

What is Motherboard? (Easy Explanation).

Importance Of Motherboard’s Computer In Various Aspects.

How does CPU Works? (Easy Explained).

Basic Parts Of Computer with Images.

Why Network Security is Important?

Classification Of Computers According To Size, Type, And Purpose.

Share the post!

← Previous Post Next Post →

Why are Circuit Boards Green?

26 thoughts on “Generations of Computer 1st to 5th Explained with Pictures.”

thank so much for the help much appreciated.

APRIL 24, 2022 AT 12:02 PM

Thanks for the information it’s really useful

FATIMA RABIU BALA PINKY

Thanks i found this platform very interesting

FATIMA RABIU BALA PINKY

That sounds nice

well understood! thank you

This’s really helped me with my school project. Thanks so much!

Very informative and really precise on the subjects. Thanks.

thank you! you help me a lot

Thank you so much

You’re welcome, Zamzam.

You’re welcome, Asif.