Computer Evolution

Explain the evolution of computers describing the technologies used in different generations. The evolution of computers started way back in the late 1930s. Binary arithmetic is at the core of the computers of all times. The history of computers dates back to the invention of the mechanical adding machine in 1642. Abacus, an early computing tool, the invention of logarithm by John Napier, and the invention of slide rules by William Oughtred were significant events in the evolution of computers.

The evolution of computer technology can be divided into five generations.

First-generation computers consisted of vacuum tubes and they were used during 1943-1958. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) computer is an example of first generation computer.

Second-generation (1959-1965) computers consisted of transistors i. e. vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors. Thus the size of the computer got reduced considerably.

Third-generation (1966-1973) computers consisted of integrated circuits (IC) i.e. many transistors in a single silicon chip. A single IC has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on a single thin slice of silicon.

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With the invention of the microprocessor (1971), the fourth generation of computer evolution started and present-day computers are also categorized as the fourth generation.

The fifth generation computers are under development. They are going to be based on the principles of artificial intelligence and natural language recognition.

Developers are aiming at computers capable of organizing themselves. The evolution of computers continues. Generation Duration Memory device First (1943-1958) Vacuum tubes Second (1959-1965) Transistor Third (1966-1973) LSI (Large Scale Integration) IC Fourth (1974-1990) VLSI (Very large Scale Integration) Microprocessor.

Fifth (1990 onwards) Biochips (concept of AI) Table: Time period and its device used in the evolution of computer.

References

• Computer - History of computing
• History of Information - Evolution of Computers