Evolution of computers: Agenda For That

Computers

Computers that have emerged since the 40 were grouped in 5 generations, which differ in their components. But the real computer revolution did not come until the advent of microprocessors.

First generation 1940-1960La Harvard University establishes an agreement with IBM to create a general computer. This machine was operational in 1944 and had the capacity to store 72 numbers, 23 numbers, punch cards used to enter numbers and operations. His speed was not very high, requiring ten seconds to perform a multiplication and a division eleven for

E.N.I.A.C. First fully electronic computer built. This machine occupied the entire basement of the university, weighed 30 tons and required a whole system of air conditioning, but was able to perform arithmetic operations on five thousand a second.

John von Neumann, his ideas were so fundamental that is considered the father of computers. The basic idea was to allow Neumann in memory data coexist with instructions, so that the computer could be programmed via the data and not by programmed electrical wire computer operations.

In this generation include the appearance of the first programming languages ​​that allow programming language to replace the machine, ie 1 and 0, which were introduced directly into the computer, a symbolic programming language that translates natural symbols into machine language .

Second generation 1960-1965

It is characterized by the change of the vacuum valve transistors and increased memory capacity. Transistor circuits, reduce the size of the machines. The transistor is an electronic device consisting of a silicon crystal. Its operation is simple, you have two possibilities, transmit or not transmit.

His appearance made the fastest computers were smaller and cheaper. In this generation auxiliary memory is expanded and created the large capacity magnetic disks. Printers and were designed and developed optical scanners programming languages, there are new programming language called High-Level Languages.

Third generation 1965-1975

It is characterized by the appearance of integrated circuits made of silicon-based, higher speed, more programs and languages: Cobol, Fortran and the appearance of the terminals to transmit data to the remote central processor or vice versa. Operating systems appear to control the computer, central stores data that can be accessed from multiple users simultaneously.

The first device integrated circuits based entirely on IBM 360 series is also incorporating an operating system to control the machine.

In the mid-70 are the first minicomputers.

Fourth generation 1975-1990

The most important feature of this generation is the development of microprocessors "Chip?, Which are circuits with large number of transistors integrated into a small space.

Other features include increased capacity input and output, longer life of components, new programming languages ​​Logo, Pascal, Basic, databases. Memory arise very intelligent terminals and word processors. It reduces the size and cost of computers and improves the speed of calculation.

It opens a new era with the advent of personal computers or Personal Computer.

The first microcomputers were priced more than two million pesetas. In the late 80's, the price was about two hundred thousand pesetas and the output was 100 times greater.

This period is the development of operating systems, which seek an integration between the user and the computer through the use of graphics.

Fifth-generation 1990-today

The revolution comes with next-generation microprocessors. The speed is fired to happen successive generations of microprocessors, personal computers became widespread.

The alliances between rival companies are the keynote of this period, IBM has signed agreements with Apple and Motorola, to produce a new series called PowerPC microprocessors. Intel launches the Pentium microprocessor in response to this alliance. As the years progress and performance speed of microprocessors is enhanced by the advances in microelectronics.

Note that on the other hand other companies continue to work on supercomputers that incorporate multiple microprocessors on the same machine.

According to "Moore's Law? the number of transistors per chip doubles every 18 months. Achieved in the last 30 years and is projected to meet over the next 20 years.