TM-62 Computer generations and noteworthy developments      Return to Lecture Notes 

First generation (1951-1958)              Third generation (1965-1970)

Vacuum tube machines                 o Integrated circuits used

  UNIVAC I introduced                    o  IBM System/360 introduced

  Punched-card-orientation               o  Operating systems

  Magnetic drum memory                 o  BASIC and RPG introduced

  Transaction processing focus          o  Minicomputers introduced

  Machine and assembly languages           Word processing

Second generation (1959-1964)           Fourth generation (1971-present)

Transistor machines                      o Microminiaturized integrated circuits

  Tape and disk secondary storage    o Microcomputer revolution begins

  Magnetic-core memory                   o  Fourth-generation languages

  Modular hardware elements            o  Decision support systems

  High-level programming languages       in  Information resources management

  Communications satellites              Fifth generation   (emerging)

  Airlines passenger reservations

systems                                            Artificial intelligence applications

  Management information systems             Return to Lecture Notes 

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