Page 18 - Viva ICSE Computer Studies 5 : E-book

use between 1956 and 1963. Both fi rst and second generation computers used punched
cards as input and printouts as output. IBM 704 and IBM 1401 are examples of the second
generation computers.

Some features of the second generation computers are listed below.
• They were more energy-effi cient and reliable than

the fi rst generation computers. Learn More
• Their operating speed was comparatively higher A transistor is an electronic
than the fi rst generation computers. device that is used to control
the fl ow of electricity in
• High-level programming languages like COBOL electronic equipment.

and BASIC were developed in this generation.

Third Generation Computers (1964—1971)

Computers belonging to the third generation became much smaller and worked faster.
This was due to the invention of integrated circuits (ICs) which are tiny square chips

with thousands of transistors placed on them. Instead of punched cards, keyboards
were used to input data. Monitors were used for the fi rst time as output device instead
of printouts. Third generation computers were in use between 1964 and 1971. IBM 370

and NAV 7500 are two examples of the third generation computers.
Some features of third generation computers are listed below.

• They were smaller and cheaper than their earlier counter parts.

• They used an operating system that allowed running of many diff erent programs
simultaneously.

Fourth Generation Computers (1971 onwards)

By fi xing many integrated circuits into a single unit, scientists developed a new device
called the microprocessor which is a small silicon chip. It is capable of processing

information from all parts of a computer. It is also called the central processing unit or
CPU.

The computers we use today belong to the fourth generation. The use of the Internet,
mouse and many other hand-held devices are some advancements seen in this
generation.

Some features of the fourth generation computers are listed below.

• Computers became more advanced in terms of processing and memory capacities.
• It led to the development of Personal Computers (PCs).

• In 1981, IBM introduced its fi rst computer for the home user and in 1984, Apple
introduced Macintosh.

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