Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits

Characteristics:

• Computing chip; Integrated circuits (IC) were introduced, which is a basic building block for the components of 3^rd generation computers.
• Concept of multiprogramming was introduced where more than one job resides in the main memory competing for CPU and CPU could be kept more busy.
• Computational time was measured in nanosecond (10^-9 s).

Advantages:

• Smaller in size as compared to previous generations.
• More reliable, less heat dissipation; low maintainance cost.
• Portable and high fault tolerance.
• Total general purpose and wide commercial use.
• Easier to use and cheaper than previous generations.