CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTER   

1) The fourth generation computers have microprocessor-based systems. It uses VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated) circuits.   

2) They are the cheapest among all the computer generation.   

3) The speed, accuracy and reliability of the computers were improved in fourth generation computers.   

4) Many high-level languages were developed in the fourth generation such as COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, PASCAL and C language.   

5) A Further refinement of input/output devices was developed.   

6) Networking between the systems was developed in fourth generation computer.

Characteristic of Fourth Generation of Computers

• Microprocessor based system that uses Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. 
• Microcomputers became the cheapest at this generation.
• Hand-held computer devices became more popular and affordable
• Networking between the systems was developed and became of every day use in this generation.
• Storage of memory and other storage devices has increased in big amount.
• Outputs are now more reliable and accurate.
• Processing power or speed has increased enormously. 
• With increment in the capacity of the storage systems large programs were started to be in use
• Great improvement in the hardware helped great improvement in the output in screen, paper etc.
• Size of the computer devices became such small that even desktop computers were easily movable along with portable computers such as laptops etc. 

Example: IBM 3033, Sharp PC – 1211 etc.