Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes it
under the control of set of instructions (called program), gives the result (output), and saves it for the
future use.
This Computer Fundamentals tutorial covers a foundational understanding of computer hardware,
software, operating systems, peripherals etc. along with how to get the most value and impact from
computer technology.
Knowledge of computers is not a prerequisite to follow the contents of this tutorial. This tutorial assumes
no background in computers or computer programming.
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the
generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But nowadays, generation
includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.
There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in detail along
with their time period and characteristics. Here approximate dates against each generations have been mentioned
which are normally accepted.
The period of first generation was 1946-1959. The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic
components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced
a lot of heat and were prone to frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and could be
afforded only by very large organisations. In this generation mainly batch processing operating system were used.
Punched cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices. The computers in this
generation used machine code as programming language.
The period of second generation was 1959-1965. In this generation transistors were used that were cheaper,
consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the first generation machines made of
vacuum tubes. In this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic
disks as secondary storage devices. In this generation assembly language and high-level programming languages
like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and multiprogramming operating
system
Knowledge of computers is not a prerequisite to follow the contents of this tutorial. This tutorial assumes
no background in computers or computer programming.
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the
generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But nowadays, generation
includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.
There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in detail along
with their time period and characteristics. Here approximate dates against each generations have been mentioned
which are normally accepted.
The period of first generation was 1946-1959. The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic
components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced
a lot of heat and were prone to frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and could be
afforded only by very large organisations. In this generation mainly batch processing operating system were used.
Punched cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices. The computers in this
generation used machine code as programming language.
The period of second generation was 1959-1965. In this generation transistors were used that were cheaper,
consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the first generation machines made of
vacuum tubes. In this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic
disks as secondary storage devices. In this generation assembly language and high-level programming languages
like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and multiprogramming operating
system
