Computer Generations & Languages

Computer Generations & Languages - Class 6

📘 Computer Generations

1. First Generation (1940-1956)

These computers used vacuum tubes for processing and memory. They were very big, slow, and used a lot of electricity.

Example: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was as big as a room and used thousands of vacuum tubes.

2. Second Generation (1956-1963)

These computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. They were smaller, faster, and used less power.

Example: IBM 1401 was a popular second generation computer used in offices and banks.

3. Third Generation (1964-1971)

This generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs), which made computers even smaller, more reliable, and more affordable.

Example: IBM System/360 could perform many tasks and was used by large companies.

4. Fourth Generation (1971-Present)

These computers use microprocessors (a chip that contains the entire CPU). They are very fast, small, and cheap. Most computers today belong to this generation.

Example: IBM PC and modern laptops, desktops, and smartphones are all fourth generation computers.

5. Fifth Generation (Present and Future)

These computers are based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). They can think, learn, and make decisions like humans.

Example: Robots, voice assistants like Alexa, and self-driving cars use fifth generation technology.

💻 Generations of Computer Languages

1. First Generation Language (1GL) - Machine Language

This language uses only 0s and 1s (binary code). It is the only language a computer can understand directly.

Example: 10110000 01100001 (A simple instruction in binary)

2. Second Generation Language (2GL) - Assembly Language

This language uses short codes or mnemonics like MOV, ADD, and SUB. It is easier than machine language but still needs to be converted for the computer to understand.

Example: MOV A, 5 (Move the value 5 to register A)

3. Third Generation Language (3GL) - High-Level Language

These are easy-to-understand languages like C, C++, Java, and Python. They use English-like words and are used to write most programs today.

Example: print("Hello, World!") (A simple statement in Python)

4. Fourth Generation Language (4GL)

These languages are even easier and are mainly used for databases and reports. They help users get results without writing long programs.

Example: SELECT * FROM students WHERE age > 12; (A SQL query for databases)

5. Fifth Generation Language (5GL)

These languages are used for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and problem-solving using logic. Computers can solve problems by themselves with these languages.

Example: likes(john, pizza). (A simple statement in Prolog, an AI language)

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