What is First Generation Computer?

 

First Generation Computers: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)

The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device, which was called vacuum tubes. These computers were very heavy and really large in size. These weren’t very reliable and programming on them was a really tedious task as they used high-level programming language and used no OS. First-generation computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purpose. They were too bulky and large that they needed a full room and consume rot of electricity.

Main first generation computers are:

ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been very heavy, large, and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes.

EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was designed by von Neumann. It could store data also as instruction and thus the speed was enhanced.

UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computer was developed in 1952 by Eckert and Mauchly.

Main characteristics of first generation computers are:

Main electronic component - Vacuum tube.

Programming language - Machine language.

Main memory - Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums.

Input/output devices - Paper tape and punched cards.

Speed and size - Very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire room).

Examples of the first generation - IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc.