1.A) Describe the evolution of Computers by mentioning how computers in one
generation are better than their predecessors.
Answer :-
First-generation computers:
The key features of first-generation computers are:
- First-generation computers (1940-1958)
- They used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory
- They were big in size and each computer used to occupy the entire room space
- They were very expensive and used to consume a lot of electricity
- The programmers used to write programs only in machine language to perform
various operations.
- They used to solve only one problem at a given time
- Some of examples are UNIVAC-I (Universal Automatic Computer),
- ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator) etc.
SecondGeneration:
- The transistors were the most important component which replaced vacuum tubes.
- Magnetic cores were used for memory.
- It was more reliable than first-generation computer.
- The assembly or symbolic language was used.
- The input and output mechanisms remained the same.
- The stored program concept was introduced which stores both data and program.
Third Generation:
- The Integrated circuits(IC) were the most important component.
- The transistors, diodes, resistors, and capacitors were integrated on a single chip.
- The high-level language was used like BASIC, C, C++, and JAVA.
- Memory capacity increased and a magnetic hard disk was used for the second generation.
- The third generation computers also had OS and computers could rum programs invoked by multi-users.
Fourth Generation:
- The Microprocessor was the most important component.
- With the help of LSI (Large Scale Integration) and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), the entire CPU is on a single chip.
- OS has moved from MSDOS to GUI (Graphical User Interface) like windows.
- The networking technology has also been improved.
- The size was reduced and the speed was increased.
Fifth Generation:
- Artificial Intelligence and the use of natural languages are the main features of this generation.
- These systems are expected to interact with users in natural language.
- Speech recognition and speech output should also be possible.
- Computers are must be able to perform parallel processing.
- The quad-core and octa-core were also introduced.
- Neural networks and expert systems have been developed.
How computers in one generation are better than their predecessors?
The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient, and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors.