The fifth generation computers are in their development phase. They would be capable of massive parallel processing, support voice recognition and understand natural language. The current advancements in computer technology are likely to transform computing machines into intelligent ones that possess self organizing skills. The evolution of … Continue reading Generation 5: Advantages, Disadvantages, Problems & Solutions
Thousands of integrated circuits placed onto a silicon chip made up a microprocessor. Introduction of microprocessors was the hallmark of fourth generation computers. Intel produced large-scale integration circuits in 1971. Microprocessors came up during the 1970s. Ted Hoff, working for Intel introduced 4-bit 4004. In 1972, … Continue reading Generation 4: Advantages, Disadvantages, Problems & Solutions
The use of Integrated circuits ushered in the third generation of computers. Their use increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Operating systems were the human interface to computing operations and keyboards and monitors became the input-output devices. COBOL, one of the earliest computer languages, was … Continue reading Generation 3: Advantages, Disadvantages, Problems & Solutions
Till the 1950s all computers that were used were vacuum tube based. In the 1960s, transistor-based computers replaced vacuum tubes. Transistors made computers smaller and cheaper. They made computers energy-efficient. But transistors led to emission of large amounts of heat from the computer, which could … Continue reading Generation 2: Advantages, Disadvantages, Problems & Solutions
If you look at how computers evolved, you will notice that first generation computers made use of vacuum tubes. These computers were expensive and bulky. They used machine language for computing and could solve just one problem at a time. They did not support multitasking. IBM, today … Continue reading Generation 1: Advantages, Disadvantages, Problems & Solutions
The term Computer, originally meant a person capable of performing numerical calculations with the help of a mechanical computing device. The foundation stone of the development of computers was laid way back in the era before Christ. Binary arithmetic is at the core of computer systems.
The history of computers dates back to the invention of a mechanical adding machine in 1642. ABACUS, an early computing tool, the invention of logarithm by John Napier and the invention of slide rules by William Oughtred were significant events in the evolution of computers from these early computing devices. Here’s introducing you to the ancestors of modern computers.# Abacus was invented in 2400 BC.
# Pingala introduced the binary number system, which would later form the core of computing systems.
# Later in 60 AD, Heron of Alexandria invented machines that could follow instructions. Who knew back then that this idea would evolve into intelligent machines!
# The 1600’s witnessed the invention of slide rules, the system of movable rods based on logarithms used to perform basic mathematical calculations, and a mechanical adding machine, which in some way, laid the foundation of modern-day calculating machines or computers. 1800’s saw some remarkable feats in the history of computers. They included:
# A punching card system was devised by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1801.
# Charles Babbage designed the first mechanical computer in 1822 and the Analytical Engine in 1834.
# Morse code was invented in 1835 by Samuel Morse.
# George Boole invented the Boolean algebra in 1848, which would later be at the heart of programming.
Evolution of Computers 