Computers - conceptual meaning

Computers - conceptual meaning

Computers - conceptual meaning

Computers are the machines which perform various tasks and implement lists of instructions. Today, Computers are found in every field and they are very useful for the manipulation of data in a systematic order.

The early computers were very big in size. They were as big as a large room. The amount of power consumption was also quite high. Today, computers are made so compact that they fit into the wrist watches and run with the help of a battery.

Personal computers, main-frame computers, super-computers, mainframe computers, microcomputers, minicomputer, workstations are some of the types of computers. The laptops, palmtops and the Notebooks fall under the category of microcomputers.  

Computers have made major developmental changes with new inventions made in each generation. The history of the computers can be classified in five major generations.

First Generation (1940-56):

In the first generation the computers used vacuum tubes for their operation. The computes could perform basic arithmetic calculations. These computers could carry out only single program at a time. The operations performed by the computers were made on machine language. Example UNIVAC and ENIAC computers

Second generation (1956-63)

In the second generation computers used transistors instead of the vacuum tubes. By the use of transistors the computers became more fast and energy efficient. The second generation computers used the symbolic or assembly languages.

Third generation (1964-71)

Silicon chips were used in place of the resistors in the third generation. With the help of the silicon chips the speed of the computers was increased drastically.

Fourth generation (1971-present)

The fourth generation of computer was characterized by the use of microprocessor. On a single silicon chip large numbers of integrated circuits were built. All the main components compromised of the central processing unit.

Fifth generation (beyond)
The computers in the fifth generation are still developing; these computers will be based upon the artificial intelligence. These computers will be loaded with various high –tech applications. Nanotechnology will be used in these computers.  

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