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    In this fast-paced world, computers have become a necessity. We are dependent on computers
                      to a great extent. Their invention has made our lives easier as they help us carry out several tasks,
                      be it making an airline reservation or paying electricity bills, making railway reservations, online
                      bank transactions, etc.

                      In this chapter, we will learn about categories of computers. Let us recall the journey of computers
                      through different generations.

                                EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS

                      The evolution of computers has been classified into generations. Let us learn about them in detail.

                      FIRST GENERATION (VACUUM TUBE-BASED COMPUTERS)
                      The first generation  computers  used  vacuum  tubes for circuitry, and  magnetic  drums  for

                      memory. They were as large in size as the space of a room.

                      SECOND GENERATION (TRANSISTOR-BASED COMPUTERS)

                      In the 1960s, transistor-based computers replaced vacuum tubes, marking them the second
                      generation of computers. The transistors were far superior to vacuum tubes which allowed the
                      computer to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more efficient and reliable. These were also the
                      first computers that stored instructions in their memory which moved from a magnetic drum to
                      magnetic core technology.

                      THIRD GENERATION (INTEGRATED CIRCUIT-BASED COMPUTERS)

                      This generation of computers was built using integrated circuits. Small transistors were placed on
                      silicon chips called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.

                      FOURTH GENERATION (MICROPROCESSOR-BASED COMPUTERS)

                      In this generation, computers used components like the microprocessor, where micro refers to
                      the physical size of the component. A microprocessor is an integrated chip on which the entire
                      CPU (Control Unit and ALU) is fabricated.

                         PURE
                         FACT        The first microprocessor chip, the Intel 4004 was introduced by Intel in 1971.

                      FIFTH GENERATION (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE)

                      The development of fifth generation computers is underway. What sets this generation of
                      computers apart is the infusion of  artificial intelligence. Developers are aiming at building
                      computers that are capable of organising themselves.

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