Fourth Generation Computers.pptx

Provides an Insight in to the background and complex details of the Fourth Generation machines

1. Fourth Generation Computers Batch- HND in Computing (June/July 2023-Weekday

2. Introduction Machines manufactured during the Fourth Generation were based on the microprocessor. Fourth Generation Computers are equipped with Large Scale Integration (LSI ) technology and Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) technology. Microprocessors came in to use as a result of these technologies. Microprocessors are the expanded version of the Third Generation of Computers. A microprocessor is composed of thousands of integrated circuits that are arranged on a single chip called as a silicon chip. Microprocessors lead to the development of microcomputers. Microcomputers, later regarded as personal computers, are electronic devices that have a microprocessor acting as a central processing unit (CPU).Personal Computers are primarily designed for individual use. The use of Personal Computers (PC) elevated in the Fourth Generation.

3. History The Fourth Generation of Computers were widely used from 1971 to 2010. Microprocessors that laid the foundation to the Fourth Generation of Computers were first introduced in 1971 by Intel. They named it Intel 4004. Intel 4004 is regarded as the First Computer on a Chip. Personal Computers that increased in number during the Fourth Generation of Computers initially entered the market with the appearance of Altair in 1974 in the computer world. Altair was developed by a small firm named MITS and Altair was equipped with Intel Corporation's 8080 microprocessor. Three Personal Computers named the Apple Computer, Inc., currently regarded as Apple Inc., Apple II, the Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80, and the Commodore Business Machines Personal Electronic Transactor (PET) that have been assembled in advance and in mass quantities were introduced from 1976-1977. These machines were equipped with eight-bit microprocessors and had limited memory capacity. Out of these machines,TRS-80 ruled the market.

4. History-Cont. The Personal Computer,TRS-80,appeared with four kilobytes of memory, a Z80 microprocessor, a BASIC programming language, and cassettes for data storage. To reduce expenses, the machine was built without the ability to type letters of Lowercase. Two years later, the same company, Tandy's chain of Radio Shack stores that introduced TRS-80 to the market produced  a more powerful computer named the TRS-80 Model II that could be fairly marketed as a small business machine. There were theories that  stated that the TRS-80 produced by Tandy's chain of Radio Shack stores  persuaded it to manufacture TRS-80 Model II . The Apple II received a great hype in popularity when  it became the host machine for the first electronic spreadsheet named VisiCalc. IBM Corporation introduced its' own personal computer (IBM 5150) on August 12, 1981, at a press conference in New York City, triggering an uncontrolled media excitement that dragged on for months. The IBM PC ( IBM 5150) was also the host machine for an extremely famous spreadsheet named 1-2-3 that was introduced by the Lotus Development Corporation in 1982.

5. History-Cont. The IBM PC became the world’s most famous personal computer. Both its' microprocessor, the Intel 8088, and its operating system, that were adapted from Microsoft Corporation’s MS-DOS system, became industry norms. Competitor computers that incorporated Intel microprocessors and MS-DOS were referred to as "IBM compatibles" if they attempted to outperform IBM in terms of additional computing power or memory, and "IBM clones" if they competed solely based on low price. In 1983, Apple introduced a personal computer named Lisa that had a graphical user interface (GUI) to perform routine operations. The Lisa's graphical user interface served as the basis for Apple's Macintosh personal computer, which was released in 1984 and was highly successful. Due to its ability to lay out text and graphics on the display exactly as they would appear on the printed page, the Macintosh proved to be specifically useful for desktop publishing. Microsoft Windows, a graphical user interface that gave MS-DOS-based computers many of the same capabilities as the Macintosh, was launched by the Microsoft Corporation in 1985. The Intel 80386 32-bit microprocessor  that was introduced in 1985 gave the Compaq Computer Corporation’s Compaq 386 that was introduced in1986 and IBM’s PS/2 family of computers that were introduced in 1987 greater speed and memory capacity.

6. Inventors  Intel 4004 was invented by the Intel engineers named Federico Faggin , Marcian E. (Ted) Hoff and Stan Mazor. MITS co-founder Henry Edward Roberts invented the Altair 8800 that was sold for $297, or $395 with a case. Henry Edward Roberts devised the term ''personal computer''. Apple Computer, Inc., currently regarded as Apple Inc., was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Apple II was primarily designed by Steve Wozniak Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 was designed by the Engineer named Steve Leininger and sold by Tandy Corporation through their Radio Shack stores. Commodore Business Machines Personal Electronic Transactor (PET) was designed by the computer pioneer named Chuck Peddle. The IBM PC ( IBM 5150) was created by a team of 12 IBM engineers and designers led by Philip Don Estridge of the IBM Entry Systems Division in Boca Raton, Florida. Apple's first Macintosh personal computer was introduced by Steve Jobs. Microsoft Windows was founded by Bill Gates and Paul G. Allen. The Intel 80386 32-bit microprocessor was developed by a team of developers led by the Chief architect named John H. Crawford.

7. What are Fourth Generation Computers?   Machines equipped with Large Scale Integration technology and Very large-scale integration technology and were widely used from 1971 to 2010 are regarded as Fourth Generation Computers.

8. Types of Fourth Generation Computers In the past, the word "microcomputer" was frequently used to refer to personal computers, specifically to any of a family of compact digital computers with a CPU that is housed on a single integrated semiconductor chip. Primarily designed for individual use. Mainframes and Minicomputers are  ancestors of microcomputers. Notebook is  the smallest microcomputer Desktop Computers, Palm-tops & PDAs and Embedded Computers are some types of Microcomputers. Supercomputers are machines that can perform complex calculations accurately within a short period of time. Possess a very high storage capacity. Expensive Usually have more than one CPU (central processing unit). Mainly used for advanced scientific research, weather forecasting or advanced engineering applications. Microcomputers (Personal Computers) Supercomputers​

9. Microcomputers (Personal Computers)           Examples:  IBM PC                        Apple II                        Commodore PET 2001                        Atari ST                         TRS-80                        Sinclair ZX Spectrum         Supercomputers Examples:  STAR 1000             CRAY-1            Cray-X-MP             IBM's Summit             Fugaku             IBM Sequoia                                                                                                                                            

10. Uses of Microcomputers Useful for scientific research purposes ( Microcomputers are used in the scientific field to perform Simulations, Data analysis, Scientific modelling and for Inspecting biological processes) Used for recreational purposes ( For listening songs, To watch movies and stream online videos) Used in transportation ( Used in transportation systems to carry out tasks like Monitoring vehicle performance, Managing public transit systems and Controlling traffic lights) Used in Hospitals ( To conduct CT scans, heart monitoring and for patient inspection) Used in the military ( To train soldiers, To control military drones and aid them in collecting data from different locations) Used in business ( Businesses use microcomputers for accounting, inventory and payroll management) Used in the agriculture field ( To maximize crop yields, For précising farming, To reduce crop wastage, For analyzing soil data, For Monitoring crop growth and For controlling the irrigation system) Used for telecommunication purposes ( The Functioning of data centers, internet routers and telephone systems are controlled by microcomputers) Used for security purposes ( For monitoring surveillance cameras, For controlling access to buildings, For detecting intruders, For managing doorbells and For doing smart locks)

11. Uses of Supercomputers Used in oil and gas exploration Used in molecular modeling Used to produce physical simulations Used in aerodynamics Used to conduct nuclear fusion research and cryptoanalysis Used by researchers to develop applications for quantum computing Aids in testing aircrafts and reduce expenses in space missions Used in the entertainment industry to make complex animations in movies and video games Used to manage large databases

12. Fourth Generation Computers Advantages Increased storage capacity: Fourth generation computers had larger storage capacity, which allowed them to store more data, programs and software Enhanced user interface: Fourth generation computers had more advanced user interfaces, such as graphical user interface (GUI) which made them more user-friendly and easier to navigate. Greater connectivity: Fourth generation computers had more connectivity options, such as wireless and internet connectivity, which allowed them to connect to other devices and networks more easily. Multi-tasking: Fourth generation computers could run multiple programs at the same time, which increased productivity and efficiency       Disadvantages Complexity: Fourth generation computers were too complex and difficult to repair or upgrade. They required specialized knowledge or professional aid Dependence on electricity: Fourth generation computers were dependent on electricity, which could be a problem in areas with unreliable power supply Limited battery life Software compatibility: Fourth generation computers required software specifically designed for them, which might be an issue if older software or applications were required.

13. Differences Between Third Generation Computers and Fourth Generation Computers Third Generation Computers The period of third generation computers was from 1959-1971 The computers of third generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) Larger in Size Consumed more Electricity Expensive Less Portable Fourth Generation Computers The period of fourth generation computers was from 1971 to 2010 The fourth-generation computers used LSI technology and VLSI technology Comparatively Smaller in Size than 3rd Generation Computers Consumed less Electricity Cheaper Highly Portable

14. Conclusion The fourth generation of computers, which spanned from 1971 to 2010 brought significant advancements in integrated circuits, microprocessors, and storage technology.  This era marked a shift towards more compact, affordable, and powerful computing devices.  Microcomputers, such as the IBM PC and Apple II, became widely accessible and popularized personal computing. Supercomputers, like the Cray-1 and IBM Sequoia, pushed the boundaries of computational power, enabling complex simulations and scientific research.  Personal Computers such as laptops provided the convenience of portable computing. These advancements laid the foundation for the future of computing, shaping the technology landscape we know today.  The fourth-generation computers paved the way for increased accessibility, expanded computing capabilities, and accelerated innovation, setting the stage for further advancements in subsequent generations.

15. References (Fourth Generation of Computer - javatpoint , 2023) (Fourth Generation of Computer: Microprocessors - TutorialsMate , 2023) (Advantages and Disadvantages of Fourth Generation Computer, 2023) (What is a Supercomputer? | Answer from SUSE Defines, 2023) (What are Uses and Examples of Supercomputer - IT Release, 2023) (What are Uses and Examples of Microcomputer - IT Release, 2023) (Microcomputer | Definition, Examples, Uses, & Facts | Britannica, 2023) (What is microcomputer? Definition - Computer Notes, 2023)