Generations of computer

1.) GENERATION OF COMPUTER 

1.) What is generation of computer? 
Ans :- Generation in computer   terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardwar technologies. But nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.

2.) How many generations of computer are there? Describe them.

Ans :- There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics. Here approximate dates against each generations have been mentioned which are normally accepted.

The various generations of computer are follows :-
i.) First generation (1946-1959)
ii.) Second Generation (1959-1965)
iii.) Third Generation (1965-1971)
iv.) Fourth Generation (1971-1980)
v.) Fifth Generation (1980-till date) 


3.) What is the First Generation of computer?
Ans :-    The computers that were manufactured between 1946 to 1959 are known as First Generation of computers.

First Generation of computer 

These computers required switching devices and the basic switching devices were Vacuum tubes. These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and were prone to frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and could be afforded only by very large organisations. In this generation mainly batch processing operating system were used. Punched cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices. The computers in this generation used machine code as programming language.

Fore Example :-       ENIAC,
                           EDVAC, UNIVAC 
                          IBM-650, IBM-701
Demerits :
          •  Too bulky in size 
          •  Unreliable 
          •  Air Conditioning (A/C) required 
          •  Prone to frequent hardware                       failure
          •  Non-Portable.
          •  Consumed lot of electricity

4.) What is the Second Generation of Computer?
Ans :- The Computers that were manufactured from 1959 to 1965 are known as Second Generation of computers. These computers used a more advance technology that First generation by replacing the Vacuum Tubes with 'Transistors'. In this                  generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and high-level programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and multi programming operating system.
            
                            MERITS:
       • smaller in size.
       • More reliable.
       • Less heat generation.
       • Fast computation.
       • Less prone to hardware failures.

                          DEMERITS
       • Air Conditioning still require.
       • Frequent maintenance required.
       • Commercial production was.                       difficult and costly.

5.) What is the Third Generation of Computer ?

Ans :- The Computers that were manufactured between 1965 to 1971 are called Third Generation of computers. In this generation, the Large Scale Integration (LSI) technology replaced the Transistors with the 'Integrated Circuits' (IC). A single IC has many transistors,resistors and capacitors along with the associated circuitry. The IC was invented by Jack Kirby. This development made computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient. In this generation remote processing, time programming operating system were used. High-level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.
For Example :- IBM-370/168, IBM 360                    series, Honeywell-6000 series,
            PDP (Personal Data Processor),
            CDC 6600, TDC-316

Third generations of computer 

                              MERITS
    • Low cost
    • High speed
    • Large memory
    • Smaller in size
    • Less power consumption
    • Cheapest among all generations

6.) What is the Fourth Generation of computer?
Ans :- The Computers that were manufactured from 1971 to 1980 are called Fourth Generation of computers. These computers used very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits and uses 'Microprocessors'. VLIS circuits having about 5000 transistor and other circuit elements and their associate circuits on a single chip made it possible to have microcomputers of Fourth Generation. These computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to Personal Computer. (PC) revolution. In this generation time sharing, real time, networks, distributed operating system were used. All the high-level language likes C, C++, DBASE etc. were used in this generation.
For Example : HP 3000, DEC 10, STAR 1000, PDP 11, CRAY-1 (Super Computer), CRAY X MP (Super Computer ) 

Fourth generation of computer 

7.) What is the Fifth Generation of Computer ?
Ans :- The period of Fifth Generation is 1980-till date. In the Fifth Generation the VLIS technology became ULSI(Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components. This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprest means and method of making computers think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc. Are used in this generation and Optic fiber technology to handle Artificial Intelligence. AI includes:
Robotics, Neural network, Game Playing,
Development of expert systems to make 
decisions in real life situations, Natural 
language understanding and generation.
For Example :- Desktop, Laptop, Note                  Book, Ultra Book, Chrome Book

2.) Classification of computer 

1.) In how many types computers are classified on the basis of computation procedure?

Ans:- On the basis of computation produce computer are classified into three (3) types:

1. Analogue Computer

2. Digital Computer

3. Hybrid Computer

2.) What is Analogue Computer?

Ans:- The computer where the analogue signal is used is known as Analogue Computer.

Note :-  This type of computeer is used to measure heat, temperature etc.

3.) What is Digital Computer?

Ans:- The computer where digital signal is used is known as  Digital Computer.

Note :- It is commonly used for business application.

4.) What is Hybrid computer ?

Ans:- The computer where both analogue and digital signal is received is known as Hybrid Computer.

Note:- It is used in ICU in hospitals.

     I=               C=             U=

5.) On the basis of size and capability computers are classified into how types?

Ans:- On the basis of size and capability digital computers are classified into the following types:-

  i. Super Computer

ii. Mainframe Computer

iii. Mini Computer

iv. Micro Computer

PC (Personal Computer)

i.    Desktop

ii.   Laptop

iii.  Palmtop

6.) What is Super Computer?

Ans:- These are the fastest machines in terms of processing speed and use of maltiprocessing techniques. Here a number of processors used to solve a problem.

      For Ex :- CRAY, IBM 3090.

Note:- Super Computers are mainly used for remote sensing, weather forecasting biomedical applications etc.

Supercomputer 

7.) What is Mainframe Computer?

Ans:- These computers generally are 32 bit machines or higher. Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously. Mainframe executes many programs concurrently and supports many simultaneous execution of programs.

For Ex.:- DEC, HP, IBM, ES 9000, etc.

Note:- These computers are suited to big organizations.

8.) What is Mini Computers?

Ans :- The term Mini Computer is originated in 1960s when it was realized that many computing tasks do not require an expensive mainframe computers. It can be solved by a small inexpensive computer. It is a midsize midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting up to 250 users simultaneously.

For Ex.:- Digital VAX.

Note:- It supports multi-user environment that can be solved by a small inexpensive computer and CPU time is being shared by different users.

9.) What is Micro Computers?

Ans:- These computers are known as Micro Computers because of its CPU which is a microprocessor. They are typically used as a single user computer. Although present day Micro Computers are very powerful.

For Ex:- AS/400,     RS/600,     HP/9000.

10.) What is PC (Personal Computer)? 

Ans:- It is also known as PC. This type of computer is just like Micro Computer. Personal computers are smaller in size and very simple to use. It is a user friendly machine. A single user can work at a time PC has developed in 1981 in which 8088 microprocessors were used. Its storage capacity can be increased by inserting Hard Disk (HDD). It is also known as PCXT (Personal Computer Extended Technology). It is generally used in Home, Office, Business, Education, Entertainment, Store data, Publication field. Note : In 1984    80286 microprocessors were used. 

Then name changes to (PC-AT)  personal Computer Advance Technology. 

11.) What is a Desktop Computer? 
Ans:- This type of computer is a personal computer which is very simple to use. It is mostly used on tables or desks. It consists of a separate Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, CPU cabinet (Hard Disk, Motherboard, etc.) and is not easily portable. 

12.) What is a Laptop Computer? 
Ans:- It is just like a PC,  it works similar as PC works But it is very smaller in size. It is also comfortable in typing. It can be used in lap. It can be portable to everywhere because it just looks like a small briefcase. You can take it with yourself everywhere you want. 
i.) Laptop computer works on both Electric and Battery. 
ii.) Lithium Ion battery is used in Laptop computer. 
iii.) Internet can run by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth also. 

For Ex :- Lenovo, Apple, Dell, HP, etc. 

Note :- It was developed in 1981 by Adam Osborne. It has a LED monitor, Keyboard, Touchpad, Hard Disk, DVD/CD
Drive, and many ports such as USB, VGA, HDMI, etc. 

13.) What is a Palmtop Computer? 

Ans:- It is a very small type of computer. Any type of data can be entered or stored and can work on it by putting it in hand. It is also known as "Mini Laptop Computer". You can also input data by voice without the use of keyboard. It can be also used as phone type. 

Example :-  Tablet 

                           VIRUS 

14.) What is virus? 

Ans:- As we know in biological term that the Virus infects human beings and spread disease. So in computer viruses are also found that can destroy and infect the computer fiels and data. It is very harmful for any computer. It made by the user itself and it is also a type of file.

Note:- First of all it was created by Basit's

Amjad in Pakistan on 1987. It was named

as C-Brain. 

15.) What is the full from of Virus? 

Ans:-  The full form of Virus is  :-

       V-   Vistal 

       I-    Information 

       R-   Resources 

       U-   Under 

       S-    Small Size 

16.) How many types of viruses are there?

Ans:- There are three types of Viruses :-

I. Boot Infection Virus 

II. Dos Infection Virus 

III. File Infection Virus 

Example of Virus are :-

I. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHI. 

II. C-BRAIN 

III. MONKEY 

IV. VAN HALF 

V. CREEPER 

VI. MICHEL ANGELO 

Modern Viruses :- TROJAN etc. 

17.) What is Anti-Virus? 

Ans:- Anti-Virus is a software designed to stop viruses attacks. It kills virus. 

Some of Anti-Viruses are as follows :-

I. QUICK HEAL

II. AVAST 

III. K7

IV. KASPERSKY 

V. NP (Net Protector) 

VI. NORTON 

VII. AVIRA 

VIII. AVG

IX. SYMANTEC 

18.) How does virus comes into your system? 

Ans:- There are many reasons such as:- 

I. Games      

II. E-mail 

III. Internet 

IV. DVD Drive 

V. Pen Drive 

VI. Memory cards 

VII. Expired Software. 

19.) What are the symptoms of virus, when it attacks our system? 

Ans:- The symptoms by which we can get to know that our system (computer) is being attacked by virus are as follows :-

I. When Computer is not performing booting process properly. 

II. When Computer always goes to hang position (suddenly stop working and nothing works). 

III. When the Computer's disk storage capacity increase or decreases from the actual size. 

IV. When any drive of computer (E Drive,

F Drive etc.) does not open. 

V. When the disk is blank but shows full. 

20.) What are the preventive methods to stop virus from attacking the computer system? 

Ans:- To stop virus attacks follow these methods :-

I. Always install Anti-Virus to prevent modern viruses. 

II. Always update the Anty-Virus to prevent modern viruses. 

III. Never open and copy anything from Pen drive without scanning it. 

IV. Never use expired Software. 

V. Never install anything from untreated Internet resources. 

               NUMBER SYSTEM 

21.) What is Number System? 

Ans:- Number system is a language of computer that helps the system to understand our language. The data we input into the system get converted into the number system (binary)  and then processes and provides result.

Note :- Computer system doesn't understand our language. The two digits are 0 and 1 means OFF and ON, known as Binary digits. 

22.) How many types of number system are there? 

Ans:- There are mainly four types of Numbers System :- 

I. Binary Number System (0-9) 

II. Octal Number System (0-7)

III.  Decimal Number System (0-9 and A to F) 

           Binary Number System 

The two digits 0 and 1 is known as Binary number system. 

Note :- It's base is 2.

             Octa Number System 

The digits from 0 to 7 (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,and 7) 

are called octal number system. 

Note :-  There are eight digits, so it's base is 8.

            Decimal Number System           

The digits from 0 to 9 (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) are called Decimal number system .
Note :-  It's base is 10

      Hexa Decimal Number System 

The digits from 0 to 9 (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) and alphabets from A to F (A, B, C, D, E, and F) are known as Hexa-Decimal number system. 

Note :- It's base is 16