Definition & Types of Computer Generation (part2)

Characteristics of 3rd Generation Computers:

Design                        : design by the use of integrated circuit(IC).

Size                             :  much smaller as compared to the previous generation.

Space required          : less as compared to the previous generation.

Storage capacity          : increased as compared to the previous generations.

Heat generation       : produced almost no heat

Portability                       :   had more portability

Power requirement  : less power was required to operate  

                                             them.

Processing speed      : faster than that of previous generations

Programs written    : Using high-level language such as C, Pascal, BASIC etc.

I/O operation           :  For input: punched cards, for output:                                              

                                     CRT display

Maintenance           :  little maintenance was required.

Cost                            :  less expensive as compared to the previous generation


Reliability                  :  Highly reliability.


User capacity            : Multiuser computers.


Times of execution  : measured in nanoseconds.


Communication  facility     : Limited communications facilities became available

multimedia facility              :  No

Characteristics of 4th Generation Computers:

Design                        : design by the use of microprocessor (an IC with VLSI chip )


Size                             :  microchip based computers are littler in size


Space required          : less as compared to the previous generation.


Storage capacity          : huge


Heat generation       : produced almost no heat

Portability                       :   highly portable

Power requirement  : less power was required to operate  

                                             them.

Processing speed      : faster than that of previous generations

Programs written    : Utilizing elevated level language, for example, C, C++, Java, Visual Basic and so forth.

I/O operation           :  For input: keyboard,mouse etc
                                     for output:  monitor, printer, speaker etc.

Maintenance           :  easily maintainable

Cost                            :  they are lower in cost


Reliability                  :  Highly reliable


User capacity            : Multiuser computers and can be remotely controlled.


Times of execution     : measured in picoseconds.


Communication  facility     : more communications facilities became available

multimedia facility              :  Yes






Characteristics of 5th Generation Computers:

• They are designed by the use of IC with ULSI chip

• mega chip memories

• Capable of parallel processing

• AI ( artificial intelligence) based computers

• More devices have hot-pluggable features ( a failed component is to be replaced with a new one, without the need to shut down the system ) and hence the uptime of the system is very high 

• Distributed , rather than centralized

• Wireless enabled high performances multimedia computers