INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERInstructor:MISS ANILA

Topic:4th GENERATION OF COMPUTERSSadiqArsalan HajiAbdul SamadBisma Kaleem Umm-e-HabibaFaizaRISINGSTARS

INTRODUCTIONDefinition

Computer System is an electronic data processing device, which does the following;

GENERATIONSGeneration 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.

Each of the five generations of computers is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and reliable computing devices.

GENERATIONSTechnologies Used;

1st generation:

2nd generation:

3rd generation:

4th generation:

4th GENERATIONInvention;

Fourth Generation Computers (which are Microprocessors) were invented through the development of Transistors. Transistors were created by William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brarttain. Therefore, it is hard to tell a specific inventor of the Microprocessor

4th GENERATIONAbout 4th Generation;1971 to present: Using Microprocessors After 1971 the fourth generation computers were built. The fourth generation computers were the extension of third generation technology. The fourth generation computers emerged with development of the VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration).With the help of VLSI technology microprocessor came into existence. The computers were designed by using microprocessor, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip.

Benefit;What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand

Software Technology;Several new operating systems like the MS-DOS and MS-Windows developed during this time. This generation of computers supported Graphical User Interface (GUI). GUI is a user-friendly interface that allows user to interact with the computer via menus and icons. High-level programming languages are used for the writing of programs.

Computing Characteristics;The computation time is in picoseconds4th GENERATION

Physical Appearance;They are smaller than the computers of the previous generation. Some can even fit into the palm of the hand.

Application;They became widely available for commercial purposes. Personal computers became available to the home user.4th GENERATION

Characteristics;The fourth generation computers have microprocessor-based systems.They are the cheapest among all the computer generation. Small in size. They are very easy to handle.The speed, accuracy and reliability of the computers were improved in fourth generation computers.Many high-level languages were developed in the fourth generation such as COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, PASCAL ,C and C++ language. A Further refinement of input/output devices was developed. Networking between the systems was developed.In this generation, Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed Operating System were used.

Examples;IBM 4341, DEC 10, STAR 1000, PUP 11 and APPLE II, PDP 11, CRAY-1 (Super Computer), CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer)4th GENERATION

Main features;VLSI technology usedVery cheapExternal Storage - Floppy Disk and Hard Disk. Operating System - MS-DOS and PC-DOS Main Memory - EPROM and SRAMPortable and reliableUse of PC'sVery small sizePipeline processingNo A.C. neededConcept of internet was introducedGreat developments in the fields of networksComputers became easily available4th GENERATION

Advantages;Very reliable.Heat generated is negligible.No air conditioning required in most cases.Much faster in computation than previous generations.Hardware failure is negligible and hence minimal maintenance is required.Easily portable because of their small size.Totally general purpose.Minimal labor and cost involved at assembly stage.Cheapest among all generations.The programming language contained within a 4GL is closely linked to the English language structureThe downside of a 4GL is that the programs run slower than those of earlier language generations because their machine code equivalent is considerably longer and more complicated to execute it.4th GENERATION

Disadvantages;Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacture of VLSI chips.easily attacked by virus , needs sophisticated environment for manufacturing4th GENERATION

Man is still the most extraordinary computer of allJohn F. Kennedy