First Generation

• The period 1940 to 1956, roughly considered as the First Generation of Computer.

• The first generation computers were developed by using vacuum tube or thermionic valve machine.

• The input of this system was based on punched cards and paper tape; however, the output was displayed on printouts.

• The first generation computers worked on binary-coded concept (i.e., language of 0-1). Examples: ENIAC, EDVAC, etc.

Second Generation

• The period 1956 to 1963 is roughly considered as the period of Second Generation of Computers.

• The second generation computers were developed by using transistor technology.

• In comparison to the first generation, the size of second generation was smaller.

• In comparison to computers of the first generation, the computing time taken by the computers of the second generation was lesser.

Third Generation

• The period 1963 to 1971 is roughly considered as the period of Third Generation of computers.

• The third generation computers were developed by using the Integrated Circuit (IC) technology.

• In comparison to the computers of the second generation, the size of the computers of the third generation was smaller.

• In comparison to the computers of the second generation, the computing time taken by the computers of the third generation was lesser.

• The third generation computer consumed less power and also generated less heat.

• The maintenance cost of the computers in the third generation was also low.

• The computer system of the computers of the third generation was easier for commercial use.

Fourth Generation

• The period 1972 to 2010 is roughly considered as the fourth generation of computers.

• The fourth generation computers were developed by using microprocessor technology.

• By coming to fourth generation, computer became very small in size, it became portable.

• The machine of fourth generation started generating very low amount of heat.

• It is much faster and accuracy became more reliable.

• The production cost reduced to very low in comparison to the previous generation.

• It became available for the common people as well.

Fifth Generation

• The period 2010 to till date and beyond, roughly considered as the period of fifth generation of computers.

• By the time, the computer generation was being categorized on the basis of hardware only, but the fifth generation technology also included software.

• The computers of the fifth generation had high capability and large memory capacity.

• Working with computers of this generation was fast and multiple tasks could be performed simultaneously.

• Some of the popular advanced technologies of the fifth generation include Artificial intelligence, Quantum computation, Nanotechnology, Parallel processing, etc.