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The first computers, used between 1940 and 1956, were huge machines that used vacuum tubes, got very hot, needed a lot of electricity, were slow and hard to use.
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Vacuum tubes:
Electronic devices used to amplify, switch, or modify electrical signals by controlling the flow of electrons in a vacuum. They were widely used before transistors were invented. -
The second generation of computers used transistors so they were smaller, faster, didn’t get as hot, used less electricity, and were easier to use, helping in schools, businesses, and science.
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Transistors are tiny electronic components that act like switches or amplifiers in a circuit. They can turn electrical signals on and off or increase their strength. Transistors are essential in computers, phones, and almost all modern electronics because they control the flow of electricity and help process information. -
The third generation of computers used tiny chips called integrated circuits, which made computers smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable, so more people and companies could use them for work, learning and much more.
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Integrated circuits (ICs) are small electronic chips that contain many components like transistors and resistors built into one piece. They perform functions such as processing, memory storage, or signal control, and are essential in most modern electronic devices due to their speed, size, and efficiency -
The fourth generation of computers uses microprocessors, which are tiny chips that can do many things fast, making computers small, powerful, cheap, and easy to use at home, in school, and you can play games.
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The fifth generation of computers (from the 1980s to today) focuses on smart computers that can think, learn, and understand, using artificial intelligence to help people in many ways, like robots, voice assistants, and smart apps.
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Microprocessors are the central processing units (CPUs) of computers and many electronic devices, all built into a single chip. They carry out instructions from programs by performing calculations, moving data, and making decisions. Microprocessors are essential for running everything from computers and smartphones to appliances and cars -
A PC (Personal Computer) is a general-purpose computer designed for individual use. It typically includes hardware like a processor (CPU), memory (RAM), storage (like a hard drive or SSD), and input/output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. PCs are used for tasks like browsing the internet, creating documents, playing games, and running software applications. -
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of machines or computer programs to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes things like learning from data, recognizing speech or images, understanding language, and making decisions. AI is used in many areas, such as virtual assistants, self-driving cars, recommendation systems, and medical diagnostics.