Third Generation Computer
Due to shortcomings in the previous generations of computers and due to continuous technological development, the third generation of computers was developed.
In today's article, we are going to talk about the third-generation computer.
Today we will know in detail what is third third-generation computer? What were their features and what were their advantages and disadvantages?
So without wasting any time, let us first know about the third-generation computer.
Third Generation Computer
Computers made between 1965 to 1971 are called third-generation computers.
Integrated Circuit (also called IC for short) was used as a preprocessor in the third generation computers.
The Integrated Circuit was invented by “Jack Killby”. By using integrated circuits instead of transistors, third-generation computers became smaller in size, more efficient, and more reliable.
Integrated circuits were smaller in size, consumed less power, and were less expensive than transistors (which were used in previous generations of computers).
IC (integrated circuit) is also called LSI (Large Scale Integration). A single integrated circuit consists of many transistors, registers, and capacitors on a single chip of silicon. It provides relative security.
The development of third-generation computers is considered to be from the time when Integrated circuits (IC) started being used in computers instead of transistors.
Development of computers using integrated circuits began as early as the 1960s, but they were not in much use at that time.
But from 1965 to 1971, ICs were used in almost all computers. Therefore, the period of the third generation of computers is considered to be from 1965 to 1971.
Due to the use of integrated circuits, the size of the computer became smaller than the second-generation computers. This helped make computers more portable.
The third-generation computers had better input-output devices. The use of keyboards and monitors was introduced in place of punch cards and printouts, which helped increase the speed of input and output operations.
This generation used remote processing, time-sharing, and multiprogramming operating systems, which eventually allowed users to run multiple applications simultaneously.
In the third-generation computers, high-level languages like COBOL, FORTRAN-2 to 5, BASIC, PASCAL PL/1, ALGOL-68, etc. were used for software development, as a result of which the third-generation computers were compared to the previous generation computers. were more reliable.
Developments in storage technology resulted in the creation of large-capacity magnetic disks and tapes and large magnetic core-based random access memories.
On the software front, high-level languages were improved and FORTRAN IV and optimizing FORTRAN compilers were developed.
Examples of Third Generation Computer
Many computers were developed in the third generation, some of the popular computers are as follows :
- IBM-360 series
- Honeywell-6000 series
- PDP(Personal Data Processor)
- IBM-370/168
- TDC-316
- CDC 6600
- ICL2900
Features of Third Generation Computer
The third generation computers have the following characteristics:
1) Use of integrated circuits
In the third generation computers, integrated circuits were used instead of transistors, which reduced the size, cost, and power consumption of computers to a great extent.
2) Input/ Output media
In the third generation computers, keyboards and monitors started being used instead of punch cards and printouts.
3) Use of magnetic disk
The magnetic disk was used as secondary storage and magnetic core as internal memory.
4) Use of the operating system
This generation of computers used remote processing, time-sharing, and multiprogramming operating systems, ultimately enabling users to run multiple applications simultaneously.
5) Evolution of easy high-level language
New high-level languages like BASIC, COBOL, PASCAL, etc. were developed so that programs written for one computer could be easily ported and executed on another computer.
6) Cost
The third-generation computers cost less than the second-generation but were still much more expensive than today's computers.
7) Speed
The processing speed of these computers was much higher than the previous generation computers.
8) Reliability
This generation of computers was more reliable than the second-generation computers because they were less prone to hardware failure. Their maintenance costs were also low.
9) Rise of mini computers
The third-generation minicomputer made computers affordable even for small companies.
10) Power consumption
They consumed less electricity and also generated less heat.
Advantages of Third Generation Computer
The third-generation computers had the following advantages :
- The data storage capacity of these computers was much better than the previous computers.
- Third-generation computers could calculate data in nanoseconds.
- These computers had much lower maintenance costs than the previous generation.
- Third-generation computers were used for general purposes.
- Third-generation computers were smaller than second-generation computers, so they were more portable than previous-generation computers.
- Remote processing, time-sharing, and multiprogramming operating systems were used in the third-generation computers.
- Computers of this generation were more reliable than the computers of the previous generation.
- These were smaller in size than the previous generation computers, were cheaper, and consumed less power.
- The processing speed of computers of this generation was much higher than that of the previous generation computers.
- Their storage capacity was high. In these, magnetic disks were used as secondary storage.
- Produced less heat than the previous generation.
- COBOL, FORTRAN-II to IV, BASIC, PASCAL PL/1, ALGOL-68, etc. were used as high-level languages.
Disadvantages of Third Generation Computer
The third-generation computers had the following disadvantages :
- Due to the use of integrated circuits in third-generation computers, it was difficult to maintain.
- The manufacturing of integrated circuit chips requires high technology.
- Third-generation computers require air conditioning systems to keep them cool.
- Third-generation computers were somewhat cheaper than the previous generation but were still too expensive for personal needs.
- It was a little difficult to operate these computers.
- Learning how to use these computers required formal training.
- Their speed was much less than today's computers.
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Conclusion
In today's article, we talked about third-generation computers and learned what is third-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 Third Generation Computer.
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