Second Generation Computer
Transistors were developed in 1947 and from 1955, transistors started being used as processors in computers instead of vacuum tubes, since then the second generation computer has been considered to be the beginning.
in today's article, we are going to talk about second-generation computers.
Today we will know in detail what is second-generation computer? What were their features and what were their advantages and disadvantages?
So without wasting any time, let us first talk about the second-generation computer.
Second Generation Computer
Computers made between 1959 to 1965 are called second-generation computers. In second-generation computers, transistors were used instead of vacuum tubes as processors.
Transistors are semiconductor devices used to regulate current or amplify an input signal into a higher output signal.
The transistor was invented at Bell Labs in 1947. It was much better than the vacuum tube.
Due to the use of transistors, second-generation computers became slightly smaller than first-generation computers but were still much larger than today's computers. This was a major improvement over the vacuum tube.
Assembly languages were used instead of machine language in the second-generation computers. High-level languages like COBOL and FORTRAN were also developed during the second generation.
Computers of this generation still depended on punch cards for input and printouts for output and used magnetic cores as storage.
Magnetic core was used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disk were used as secondary memory devices.
Batch processing and multiprogramming operating systems were used as operating systems in these computers.
Second-generation computers were cheaper than first-generation computers, consumed less power, and were significantly faster.
New types of careers such as programmers, analysts, computer systems specialists, and the software industry started with the second generation of computers.
History of the second generation of computer
The TX-0 was the first computer to use transistors. It was released in 1956. The RCA 501 is another example in which transistors are used.
Additionally, Philco Corporation's Transac S-2000 was one of the first computing machines based on transistors, introduced in 1958.
Soon after, IBM released the IBM 7090, which was completely based on transistors, which was the most powerful data processing system at that time.
These second-generation machines were used for a variety of business and scientific tasks and used high-level programming and assembly languages such as FORTRAN (formula translator) and COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language).
Some other examples of second-generation computers include the UNIVAC 1108, CDC 1604, Honeywell 400, CDC 3600, and more.
Features of Second Generation Computer
The second generation computers have the following characteristics :
- Use of transistor: Transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes in the circuit.
- Punch card as input/output unit: A punch card was used for input-output operations.
- Magnetic Tape and disk as secondary storage: Magnetic tape and magnetic disk were used as secondary storage devices.
- Size: The size of these computers is smaller than the first generation computers because transistors were used instead of vacuum tubes which take up a lot of space as compared to vacuum.
- Programming in a high-level language: High-level languages like FORTON, COBOL, BASIC, etc. were used as a computer language in computers.
- Reliability: These computers were more reliable because the life of transistors was much longer than that of vacuum tubes.
- Power consumption: Transistor consumes less power, and also generates less heat.
- Cost: Were cheaper than the first generation computers.
- Speed: Their processing speed was much faster than the first-generation computers.
- Size: 2nd-generation computers were slightly smaller in size than first-generation computers because transistors were now used in them.
- The second generation needed AC to keep it cool.
Examples of Second generation computer
Second-generation computers are :
- IBM 1620 series
- IBM 700 series
- IBM 7094 I
- IBM 7094 II
- PDP1
- PDP3
- PDP5
- PDP8
- HIGH
- LEO
- PDP (Programmed Data Processor)
Advantages of Second Generation Computer
The second-generation computers had the following advantages :
- Second-generation computers were comparatively small and portable due to the use of transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
- These could calculate data in microseconds.
- Second-generation computers used less energy than first-generation computers and generated much less heat.
- Second-generation computers were cheaper than first-generation computers.
- Their size was smaller than the first-generation computers.
- The problem of hardware failure was somewhat reduced compared to first-generation computers.
- The second-generation computers were faster than the first-generation computers.
- These computers were more reliable because they used transistors which had a much longer life than vacuum tubes.
Disadvantages of Second Generation Computer
The second-generation computers had the following disadvantages :
- These computers required a cooling system.
- These required constant maintenance.
- Second-generation computers are used only for a specific purpose.
- These were much more expensive than today's computers.
- In these, punch cards were used for input.
- It had no operating system and used assembly language.
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Conclusion
In today's article, we talked about second-generation computers and learned what are second-generation computers? What were their features and what were their advantages and disadvantages?
I hope that after reading today's article, you will have got all the information related to Second Generation Computers.
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