We explain what a generation of computers is, what generations exist so far and their characteristics.
Generations of computers
The generations of computers are the various stages in the history of its technological evolution since the first calculating devices emerged, until they became more complex, more powerful and, at the same time, smaller.
There are five generations of computers so far although a sixth could be brewing at the beginning of the 21st century. These generations are:
| Generation (approx. dates) | Key technology | Programming language | Essential features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (1940-1956) | Vacuum tube and valve electronics | machine code | Large size and energy demand. They used punch cards. |
| 2nd (1956-1963) | Transistors | assembly language | Smaller size and energy demand. They used punch cards. |
| 3rd (1963-1971) | integrated circuits | First programming languages | Lower energy consumption and lower costs. Multiple programming and teleprocessing. |
| 4th (1971-1982) | Microprocessors | Programming languages | First personal computers (PC). First supercomputers. |
| 5th (1982-today) | Computer networks, Artificial Intelligence | Programming languages | First computer networks and the Internet. Algorithms and complex automatic functions. |
| 6th (future) | Quantum computing, robotics, nanotechnology | Natural language? | Completely autonomous systems? Integration with the human body? |
First generation of computers
The first generation of computers spans from 1940 to 1956, and begins with the invention of the first automatic calculating machines with initially military purposes.
These calculation devices were based on the electronics of valves and vacuum tubes. They were programmed with a set of simple instructions in machine language, which were supplied to the system through a set of punched paper or cardboard cards. These systems could carry out only one operation at a time.
Many of these computers They were experimental models. They weighed several tons, filled the space of an entire room, and consumed several kilowatts with each simple calculation operation.
The main model of this generation was the ENIAC, developed in 1946. It occupied an entire basement at the University of Pennsylvania, in the United States, and performed up to 5,000 additions per second. It was used for hydrogen bomb calculations once World War II ended. On the other hand, the first computer of this generation designed for commercial purposes was the Univac I, developed in 1951.
Second generation of computers
The second generation of computers spans between 1956 and 1963, and occurred after replacing the vacuum valves with transistors. This change made it possible to manufacture much smaller devices with much lower electrical consumption.
Although punched cards were still used, these were the first computers that they had a language specific to program them known as “assembly language”. In it, the machine language of the previous generation was given a symbolic representation, but it did not become a high-level language. Among the best known was the Fortran language, developed by IBM in 1957.
Likewise, one of the most successful models of this computer generation was the IBM 1401 Mainframe, a bulky and expensive machine of which around 12,000 units were sold, a market success for 1959.
Third generation of computers
The third generation of computers lasted between 1964 and 1971, and was determined by the invention of integrated circuits. This technology revolutionized the world of computing, as it allowed processing capacity to be increased, while significantly reducing manufacturing costs and size.
Integrated circuits, still in use, are printed on silicon chips, using small transistors and, above all, semiconductors. His invention It was an important step towards miniaturization not only computers, but radios, televisions and other similar devices.
Around 1970, furthermore, magnetic core memories became popular known as “ferrite memories”. They consisted of a ferromagnetic metal ring magnetized in such a way that it could represent the binary code.
Some of the most popular models of this generation were the PDP-8 and PDP-11, characterized by their low energy consumption, high multiprocessing capacity, and reliability and flexibility. Thanks to this generation of computers, the number of pi (π) was calculated with up to 500,000 decimal places.
Fourth generation of computers
The fourth generation of computers is located between 1971 and 1982, a time when the integration of electronic components allowed the invention of the microprocessor. This consists of an integrated circuit that brings together all the fundamental elements of the machine and is called a “chip” or “microchip”.
Thanks to the incorporation of this new technology, computers were able to diversify their logical-arithmetic functions and replace silicon ring memory with the first RAM and ROM memory modules.
That's how Personal computers or PCs were born (from English Personal Computer), a concept that still exists. PCs were intended for use by anyone who had a desk, and were capable of carrying out different types of operations: work calculations, scientific research, video games, etc.
The interaction with these computers, on the other hand, was greatly distinguished from its previous versions. not only responded to diverse and complex programming languages but for the first time they had more or less user-friendly operating systems.
The first microprocessor was the Intel 4004, manufactured in 1971 for an electronic calculator. In this generation there was a true explosion of commercial computers from very different brands, such as IBM, Apple and many others.
Fifth generation of computers
The most recent generation of computers began in 1982 and continues today. During this period, the traits of the previous generation were accentuated and computing diversified enormously: it became portable, light, comfortable and everyday.
This is how they appeared laptops or laptops which revolutionized the market and imposed a new idea of use. The computer no longer needed to be fixed in a room, or even on a piece of furniture, but was just another accessory in the work briefcase or school bag.
On the other hand, in this generation, computer networks really became popular whose peak was the Internet. The launch of the great network of networks, the World Wide Web open to the commercial public, expanded the frontiers of computing to limits never before suspected.
So “Smart” telephony was born and the first steps towards Artificial Intelligence were taken hand in hand with computer algorithms. Furthermore, computers stopped being an accessory tool and became the main working instrument of almost all professions. This enormous change is known as the “Digital Revolution.”
At this time, there was also a Japanese attempt to build an FGCS (Fifth Generation Computer SystemsFifth Generation Computer Systems), which would be a new design of computers strongly based on Artificial Intelligence. However, after eleven years of development, the project did not give the expected results.
Sixth generation of computers
The sixth generation of computers can only be speculated. The new aspects of technological research point to neural learning circuits, that is, artificial “brains” and to the creation of the first intelligent computers in history.
Furthermore, thanks to superconducting technology, it is possible to greatly reduce the electrical consumption of computer systems, as well as their heat emission. Thus, highly efficient and enormously powerful systems would be achieved.
On the other hand, quantum computing, nanotechnology and robotics, as well as other very innovative disciplines that are currently under development, could leave their mark on the history of computers in a way that is difficult to foresee.
The sixth generation of computers, in any case, will be born in light of the advances that the 21st century brings with it.
References
- Ceruzzi, P. (2018). Brief history of computing. Economic Culture Fund.
- Barceló, M. (2008). A history of computing. UOC Publishing.
- Freigerburger, P., Morton Pottenger, W., and Hemmendinger, D. (2023). Computer. The Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
