Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors

Characteristics:
  • Transistors were used as basic building block.
  • Second generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic assembly language which is more understandable than machine language. Assembly language allows a programmer to specify instructions in for of words.
  • These were also the first computers that stored their instructions in the memory.
  • They still relied on punched cards and printers for input and output.
  • Speed was measured in microsecond (10-3 s)

Advantages:
  • Smaller in size as compared to first generation computer.
  • More reliable and less heat was generated as compared to first generation computers.
  • Better portability and under commercial use; less hardware failures.

No comments:

Post a Comment