Computer and its generations

In this modern world we see computers everywhere and all over the world. Computers has been part of all industries be it transportation, communication, Medical, Education. Starting from personal computers to smart phones to tablets all are computers that has changed the way we live our lives and undoubtedly made a better place to live in. As computers are present in all the industries it is necessary for us to be computer literates and keep up to date with advancement of technology. The term computer can be defined as an electronic device which helps humans in many different ways. It can be used to store data, play games, write, read and watch all sort of things one likes. The chip that is present in the computer makes the computer work. The computers understands data as 1s and 0s and unique combination of zeros and ones (Binary numbers) makes the computer do complex works. Computers consists of two parts hardware and software. Hardware are the parts of the computer which we can touch and feel (E.g.: Keyboard, mouse monitor) and software is the program inside the hard disk of the computer that instructs the hardware. To communicate with a computer we need to learn computer languages which are basically of two types’ high level and low level. Hence computers play a very major role in our life.

Father of computer is Charles Babbage but the Person who purposed the idea of modern computer is Alan Turing.

5 Generations of Computers

• First generation Computers: Use of vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for storage. It was huge, expensive and very limited. It could not do multitasking.

• Second generation Computers: Vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors. It became cheaper, smaller and faster compared to first generation computers.

• Third generation Computers: Introduction of IC (integrated circuit). The usage of IC drastically reduced the size of the computers. Operating systems, input and output devices were also used from third generation. It could do multitasking.

• Fourth generation Computers: Microprocessors were used which led to development of lab-size computers. Computer had become available in the market and were powerful.

• Fifth generation Computers: Introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and bio metric sensors. Computer became more advanced and faster.