Classification and generations of computers

Introduction to computers Classifications of computers (1)By nature (2)By purpose (3)By size Generations(5)

Computers Digital Computers Analog Computers Hybrid computers Classification by nature

Digital Computers Use digits specially binary digits (0, 1) to represent data Examples: Personal computers such as Laptops and Desktops, etc Computer Classification Classification by nature

Analog Computers Use physical magnitudes as voltage and pressure instead of digits Examples: Thermometers, voltmeters, speed measuring meters, etc Computer Classification Classification by nature

Hybrid Computers Combination of both the analogue and digital computers Examples: A computer that maintain temperature in a burner of a production plant Computer Classification Classification by nature

Computer Classification Classification by Purpose Special purpose computers General purpose computers Computers

Special purpose computers Designed for a special job only Examples: Computers used in digital watches, pocket calculators, point of sales, etc Computer Classification Classification by Purpose

General Purpose computers Design to solve wide variety of problems Examples: A personal computer used in an office or at home Computer Classification Classification by Purpose Can a general purpose computer be converted to a special purpose computer ?

By size Mainframe Minicomputers Microcomputers Supercomputer

Mainframe computer A large computer has enormous input, process, output and storage capacities hundreds of terminals connected hundreds of users can work simultaneously Computer Classification Classification by size

Mini computer A smaller version of Mainframes Computer Classification Classification by size

Computer Classification Classification by size Microcomputer A smaller computer available for only one user at any time The central processing unit is embedded in a single chip - microprocessor Examples: personal computers; Laptops, desktops

The First generation The Second Generation The Third Generation The Fourth Generation The Fifth Generation

1942-1955 Vacuum Tube Heat Burnout Machine language Magnetic core memory Storage Punched cards Tape (1957) Characteristics of 1 st Generation Computers Computers big and clumsy Electricity consumption is high Electric failure occurred regularly - computers not very reliable Large air conditioners was necessary because the computers generated heat Batch processing

programming - machine language

ENIAC - first generation computer vacuum tube 1942-1955

1955-1964 Transistor Smaller No warm-up time Less energy Less heat Faster More reliable Storage Removable disk pack (1954) Magnetic tape Programming languages Assembly language FORTRAN (1954) COBOL(1959) Used primarily by business, university, government

Computers became smaller Generate less heat Electricity consumption lower More reliable and f aster Core memory developed Magnetic tapes and disks used First operating systems developed A new processing method was needed. Time-sharing (processing technique)

transistor 1955-1964 second generation computer

1964-1975 Integrated Circuit Electronic circuit on small silicon chip Reliability Compactness Low cost Inexpensive – mass-produced Computers smaller, faster and more reliable Power consumption lower High-level languages appeared

1975-1989 Microprocessor General-purpose processor on a chip Explosive growth Digital watches Pocket calculators Personal computers Cars Copy machines Television sets Integrated circuits, smaller and faster Micro computer series such as IBM and APPLE developed Portable computers developed Great development in data communication Different types of secondary memory with high storage capacity and fast access developed

third generation computer integrated circuit 1975-1989

1989-Present Large capacity of main memory, hard disk, optical disk. Notebook Powerful desktop P.C and workstation Very powerful mainframe systems Internet World wide web (www) ,multimedia applications Portable computers, more powerful ,cheaper ,reliable and easy to use.

fifth generation computer microprocessor 1989 - today

second vacuum tube transistor integrated circuit third first microprocessor fourth

Classification and generations of computers

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Classification and generations of computers