The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different generations of computing devices. Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and reliable devices.
The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions. First generation computers (1940-1956) relied on machine language to perform operations, and they could only solve one problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers (1956-1963). 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. Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output. High-level programming languages were also being developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.
The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers (1964-1971). Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.
The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers (1971-Present ), as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet.
Fifth generation computing device, based on artificial intelligence are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
Ex. 17. Agree or disagree with the following sentences. Use expressions: You are right, I agree with you; I’m afraid you are wrong, I can’t agree with you
1. Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development.
2. The first computers were not expensive to operate and to using a great deal of electricity.
3. Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the third generation of computers.
4. Computers of the third generation became accessible to a mass audience because they
were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.
5. Computers of the fourth and fifth generations are based on artificial intelligence.
Ex. 18. Fill in the chart. Speak on the development of computer system.
| Generation | Year of appearance | Characteristics |
| 1 st | 1940-1956 | |
Unit 3
