26 January 2012

Second Generation Computers

Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors


Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation computer. Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a signal or opens or closes a circuit. Invented in 1947 at Bell Labs, transistors have become the key ingredient of all digital circuits, including computers. Today's latest microprocessor contains tens of millions of microscopic transistors.

Prior to the invention of transistors, digital circuits were composed of vacuum tubes, which had many disadvantages. They were much larger, required more energy, dissipated more heat, and were more prone to failures. It's safe to say that without the invention of transistors, computing as we know it today would not be possible.

The transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers until the late 50s. 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.

Taken From : http://www.techiwarehouse.com/engine/a046ee08/Generations-of-Computer




25 January 2012

First Generation of Computers

First generation computers were characterized by the fact that operating instructions were made-to-order for the specific task for which the computers was to be used. Each computer has a different binary-coded program called a machine language that told it how to operate. This made the computer difficult to program and limited its versatility and speed. Other distinctive features of first generation computers were the use of vacuum tubes (responsible for their breathtaking size) and magnetic drums of data storage. The computers during the period 1945 – 1956 are regarded as the First generation computers.
Taken From : http://www.freezonal.com/first-generation-computers.html



ENIAC 02
TUBES

First generation computer system.
 

21 January 2012

New PS3 Games (Jan & Feb 2012)

11 January 2012

Uncharted 3

HBD : MHD

10 January 2012

Star Wars : The Force Unleashed

Spiderman Shattered Dimensions


HBD : MHD

Skate 3

09 January 2012

Used PS3

05 January 2012

Sealed PS3

 

blogger templates | Make Money Online