What is Second Generation Computer?

 

Second Generation Computers: Transistors (1956-1963)

Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes. Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit.

It reduced the dimensions and price and thankfully the warmth too, which was generated by vacuum tubes. Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language and input, and output units also came into the force within the second  generation.

Programming language was shifted from high level to programming language and made programming comparatively a simple task for programmers. Languages used for programming during this era were FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959).

Main characteristics of second generation computers are:-

·        Main electronic component - Transistor.

·        Programming language - Machine language and assembly language.

·        Memory - Magnetic core and magnetic tape/disk.

·        Input/output devices - Magnetic tape and punched cards.

·        Power and size - Smaller in size, low power consumption, and generated less heat (in comparison with the first generation computers).

·        Examples of second generation - PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, CDC 3600 etc.