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History of Computers
I. Generations of Computers
1. First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes
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, the first computers generated a lot
of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.
First generation computers relied on machine
language, the lowest-level programming language
understood by computers, to perform operations,
and they could only solve one problem at a time, and
it could take days or weeks to set-up a new problem.
Input was based on punched cards and paper tape,
and output was displayed on printouts.
The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples
of first-generation computing devices. The
UNIVAC was the first commercial computer
delivered to a business client, the U.S. Census
Bureau in 1951.
2. Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors
Transistors replace vacuum tubes and ushered in the
second generation of computers. The transistor was
invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in
computers until the late 1950s. 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.
Though the transistor still generated a great deal of
heat that subjected the computer to damage, it was a
vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-
generation computers still relied on punched cards for
input and printouts for output.
Second-generation computers moved from
cryptic binary machine language to symbolic,
or assembly, languages, which allowed programmers
to specify instructions in words. High-level
programming languages were also being developed at
this time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first
computers that stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic
drum to magnetic core technology. The first computers of this generation were developed
for the atomic energy industry.

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3. Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated

Circuits
The development of the integrated circuit was the
hallmark of the third generation of computers.
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.
4. Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors
The microprocessor brought the fourth generation
of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits
were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the
first generation filled an entire room could now fit
in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip,
developed in 1971, located all the components of
the computer—from the central processing
unit and memory to input/output controls—on a
single chip.
In 1981, IBM introduced its first computer for the
home user, and in 1984, Apple introduced the
Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of
the realm of desktop computers and into many
areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.
As these small computers became more powerful, they
could be linked together to form networks, which
eventually led to the development of the Internet.
Fourth generation computers also saw the development
of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

5. Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond)

Artificial Intelligence
Fifth generation computing devices, 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. Quantum
computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers

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in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond
to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.

II. Classifications Of Computers

1. According to Size
• Super Computer - The fastest and most powerful type of computer Supercomputers
are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense
amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a
supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid
dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.
• Mainframe Computer - A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting
hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with
a simple microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to
supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways,
mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than
a mainframe.
• Mini Computer - A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie
between workstations and mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large
minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction
between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a
multiprocessing system capable of supporting from four (4) to about 200 users
simultaneously.

• Micro Computer or Personal Computer

Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a desk.
Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated screen and
keyboard. It is generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than
a notebook computer.
Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer. Palmtops
have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device.

2. According to functionality
Analog Computer - An analog computer is a form of computer that
uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic
quantities to model the problem being solved
• Digital Computer - A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with
quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system
• Hybrid Computer - A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and
outputting in both digital and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a
cost effective method of performing complex simulations.

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3. According to purpose
• General Purpose Computers - These are machines that is capable of carrying out
some general data processing under program control. These refers to computers that
follow instructions. Thus, virtually all computers from micro to mainframe are general
purpose.
• Special Purpose Computers - A computer that is designed to operate a restricted class
of problems.

References:
• Adrian, B. a. (2003-2016). Retrieved from study.com: http://study.com/
• Kopplin, J. (2002). An illustrated history of computers. Retrieved from Computer Science Lab:
http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/History.htm
• M., M., & Verma, G. K. (2016). Retrieved from Tutorial Point: http://www.tutorialspoint.com/
• Marcelo, A. (2008). Understanding PC hardware. Jemma Inc.
• Parsons, J., & Oja, D. (2014). Computer concepts. Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd.

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