How many generations of computers are there?
Computer generations are based on when major technological changes in
computers occurred, like the use of vacuum tubes, transistors, and the
microprocessor. As of 2018, there are five generations of the computer.
First generation (1940 - 1956)
The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as a major piece of
technology. Vacuum tubes were widely used in computers
from 1940 through 1956. Vacuum tubes were larger components and resulted in
first generation computers being quite large in size, taking up a lot of space in a
room. Some of the first generation computers took up an entire room.
The ENIAC is a great example of a first generation computer.
Second generation (1956 - 1963)
The second generation of computers saw the use of transistors instead of vacuum
tubes. Transistors were widely used in computers from 1956 to 1963. Transistors
were smaller than vacuum tubes and allowed computers to be smaller in size,
faster in speed, and cheaper to build.
Third generation (1964 - 1971)
The third generation of computers introduced the use of IC (integrated circuits) in
computers. Using IC's in computers helped reduce the size of computers even
more compared to second-generation computers, as well as make them faster.
Nearly all computers since the mid to late 1960s have utilized IC's. While the third
generation is considered by many people to have spanned from 1964 to 1971, IC's
are still used in computers today. Over 45 years later, today's computers have
deep roots going back to the third generation.
Fourth generation (1972 - 2010)
The fourth generation of computers took advantage of the invention of
the microprocessor, more commonly known as a CPU. Microprocessors, along
with integrated circuits, helped make it possible for computers to fit easily on a
desk and for the introduction of the laptop.
Some of the earliest computers to use a microprocessor include. Today's
computers still use a microprocessor, despite the fourth generation being
considered to have ended in 2010.
Computer generations are based on when major technological changes in
computers occurred, like the use of vacuum tubes, transistors, and the
microprocessor. As of 2018, there are five generations of the computer.
First generation (1940 - 1956)
The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as a major piece of
technology. Vacuum tubes were widely used in computers
from 1940 through 1956. Vacuum tubes were larger components and resulted in
first generation computers being quite large in size, taking up a lot of space in a
room. Some of the first generation computers took up an entire room.
The ENIAC is a great example of a first generation computer.
Second generation (1956 - 1963)
The second generation of computers saw the use of transistors instead of vacuum
tubes. Transistors were widely used in computers from 1956 to 1963. Transistors
were smaller than vacuum tubes and allowed computers to be smaller in size,
faster in speed, and cheaper to build.
Third generation (1964 - 1971)
The third generation of computers introduced the use of IC (integrated circuits) in
computers. Using IC's in computers helped reduce the size of computers even
more compared to second-generation computers, as well as make them faster.
Nearly all computers since the mid to late 1960s have utilized IC's. While the third
generation is considered by many people to have spanned from 1964 to 1971, IC's
are still used in computers today. Over 45 years later, today's computers have
deep roots going back to the third generation.
Fourth generation (1972 - 2010)
The fourth generation of computers took advantage of the invention of
the microprocessor, more commonly known as a CPU. Microprocessors, along
with integrated circuits, helped make it possible for computers to fit easily on a
desk and for the introduction of the laptop.
Some of the earliest computers to use a microprocessor include. Today's
computers still use a microprocessor, despite the fourth generation being
considered to have ended in 2010.
