Title Module 2-Evolution of Computer_part 2.pdf ✅

Classification of Computer Systems a. On the basis of Technology • Generations of computers Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly (smaller, cheaper, more powerful, more efficient and reliable devices). First Generation Time Period : 1940's-1950's Technology Used : Vacuum Tubes Size and Speed : Huge, taking up entire rooms, Slow speed Language Used : Machine language Cost : System and working cost very high. Other Features • Used a great deal of electricity. • Generated a lot of heat. • Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts. Example: UNIVAC and ENIAC Second Generation Time Period : 1950's- 1960's Technology Used : Transistors Size and Speed : Lesser size and increased speed Language Used : Assembly language and languages like COBOL and FORTRAN Cost : Cost decreased Other Features : More efficient and reliable. Though the transistors still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output. Example : UNIVAC 1108, IBM 1401, CDC 1604 Third Generation Time Period : late 1960's-1970's Technology Used : Integrated Circuit Size and Speed : Size Lesser and speed further increased Language Used : Operating System was developed. Cost : Cost decreased further Other Features : Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory.Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors. EXAMPLE : IBM-360 series, Honeywell Model 316, Honeywell – 6000 series, CDC – 1700. Fourth Generation Time Period : 1970's-today Technology Used : Microprocessor Size and Speed : Reduced size and tremendous speed Language Used : High Level Languages like PASCAL, COBOL, C, C++, JAVA Cost : Reduced Cost Other Features : Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors. As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to
the development of the Internet. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices. Example : Intel 4004, Apple Macintosh Fifth Generation Time Period : 1990's –today Technology Used : Microprocessor Size And Speed : Reduced size and tremendous speed Language Used : Based on Artificial intelligence Cost : Reduced Cost Other Features : Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization. Example : Parallel Inference Machine Note: • Artificial Intelligence is the branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans. • Voice Recognition is the field of computer science that deals with designing computer systems that can recognize spoken words. b. On the basis of Purpose • According to Purpose – whether the computer is general purpose or special purpose these computers are designed to handled a variety of different problems to meet different needs. • General Purpose computer – can store different programs and performs variety of functions such as inventories, payroll, billing etc. They are strong in versatility but are normally weak in speed and efficiency. Example: Personal Computer Examples: Desktop computer, Laptop Computer • Special Purpose computer – these computer are designed to handled specific problem or to perform a specific task. Special purpose computers are those used for collecting highway tolls, airline reservation, satellite tracking, air traffic control and industrial process control. Examples: ATM Machine, Washing Machine, Cash Registers etc. c. On The basis of size & Speed The current classifications of computers place them into four categories: 1. Super Computers • The fastest type of computer. • Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. • Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, , nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.