#1 Computer Architecture: Fundamentals and Generation of computers.

Sahitya GuptaSahitya Gupta
4 min read

What are Instructions?

Instructions are nothing but a set of commands given to the computer to perform some operations.

// Here is an example
a=6
b=4
c=a+b
print(c)
// These are the instructions given by a programmer to a computer.

What is a program ?

A set of instructions or commands is known as program.

What is a Software?

A set of programs is known as a software

Note : Either it's a program or a software they always be in "Binary form" because computer only understands the language of binary.

What is Computer Architecture?

As you know that computer is a combination of hardware and software . Computer architecture is a science or you can say a set of rules stating that how hardware and software are joined together and interact to make computer work.

GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Zeroth Generation Of Computers

  • The zeroth generation of computers (1642-1946) was distinctly made available by the invention of largely mechanical computers.

  • The first working calculating machine was invented in 1623 by German Inventor "Wilhelm Schickard" (1592 - 1635) although details of its design were lost in a fire soon after its construction.

  • In 1642 , a French mathematician named Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical device which was called "Pascaline".

  • In 1822 , Charles Babbage (Father of Computers), an English mathematician invented a machine called "Difference Engine" to compute tables of numbers for naval navigation.

First Generation Of Computers

  • The first generation of computers (1940 - 1956 ) was marked by the use of vaccum tubes or valves as their basic electronic component.

  • Although were faster than the earlier mechanical devices , They were very large in size.

  • They consumes too much power and generates too much heat.When used for even short period of time.

  • Programming language - Machine language

  • Input/Output devices - punched cards and paper tape.

Second Generation Of Computers

  • The second generation of computers (1956-63) are marked by the use of transistors in place of vacuum tubes.

  • The second generation computers were smaller in size and generates a less heat as compared to first generation computers . Although they were slightly faster and more reliable than previous generation computers.

  • Transistors had number of advantages over vacuum tubes. As transistors were made of silicon , so they were more compact than vacuum tubes.

  • Programming language - Assembly language.

  • Input / Output devices - punched cards and paper tape.

  • Examples - IBM 1401, IBM 7090 , IBM 7094 etc

Third Generation Of Computers

  • These computers requires less human labour at assembly stage.

  • The third generation computers were smaller in size and generates a less heat as compared to both previous generation of computers .

  • Second generation computers became outdated after the invention of IC's.

  • Programming language - (High Level Programming Language) C#, FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL, BASIC etc.

  • Input / Output devices - magnetic tape , printer , keyboard , mouse , monitor etc.

  • Examples - IBM 360, IBM 370 , PDP-11 , UNIVAC 1108 etc.

Fourth Generation Of Computers

  • The third generation computers became outdated when it found in around 1978 that thousands of ICs can be integrated onto a single chip , called LSI (Large Scale Integration).

  • As thousands of ICs can be put onto a single circuit , LSI circuits were more compact than ICs.

  • In 1978 it was found that millions of components could be packed onto a single circuit , known as Very Large Scale Integration. (VLSI)

  • VLSI is the latest technology of computer that led to the development of the popular Personal Computers (PCs) also called as micro computer.

  • Programming language - (High Level Programming Language) C#, Java, Kotlin, Python, Rust, Javascript etc.

  • Input / Output devices - pointing devices , optical scanning , magnetic tape , printer , keyboard , mouse , monitor etc.

  • Examples - IBM PC , STAR 1000 , Apple II etc.

Fifth Generation Of Computers

  • Although fourth generation computers offer to many advantages to users , still they have one more disadvantage. The major drawback in these is that they do not have intelligence on their own.

  • They would have artificial intelligence . They use ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) chips in place of VLSI chips.

  • The Fifth generation computer are still under research and development.

  • Programming language - understand natural language (Human Language).

  • Input / Output devices - touch screen , track pad , pen , printer , keyboard , mouse , light scanner , input speech (recognize speech) etc.

This is the Part - 1 of Computer Architecture

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Sahitya Gupta
Sahitya Gupta