Fourth GenerationComputers

4. Fourth GenerationComputers

Ans.

The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements with 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 PCs
• Pipeline processing
•  Very small size
• No AC required
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great developments in the fields of networks
• Computers became easily available

Some computers of this generation were:

1. DEC 10
2. STAR 1000
3. PDP 11
4. CRAY-1(Super Computer)
5. CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)