Computer - Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation was 1971-1980. The computers of
fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI
circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements and
their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have
microcomputers of fourth generation. Fourth generation 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 languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., were used in this
generation.
The main features of fourth generation are:
- VLSI technology used
- Very cheap
- Portable and reliable
- Use of PC's
- Very small size
- Pipeline processing
- No A.C. needed
- Concept of internet was introduced
- Great developments in the fields of networks
- Computers became easily available
Some computers of this generation were:
- DEC 10
- STAR 1000
- PDP 11
- CRAY-1(Super Computer)
- CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
