INTRODUCTIONThe word ‘computer’ is an old word that has changed its meaning several times in the last few centuries. Originating from the Latin, by the mid-17th century it meant ‘someone who computes’. The American Heritage Dictionary (1980) gives its first computer definition as “a person who computes.” The computer remained associated with human activity until about the middle of the 20th century when it became applied to “a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data” as Webster’s Dictionary (1980) defines it.
- Sixth Generation Of Computers (1990–present)
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Today, the word computer refers to computing devices, whether or not they are electronic, programmable, or capable of ‘storing and retrieving’ data.The Techencyclopedia (2003) defines computer as “a general purpose machine that processes data according to a set of instructions that are stored internally either temporarily or permanently.” The computer and all equipment attached to it are called hardware. The instructions that tell it what to do are called 'software' or “program”. A program is a detailed set of humanly prepared instructions that directs the computer to function in specific ways. Furthermore, the Encyclopedia Britannica (2003) defines computers as “the contribution of major individuals, machines, and ideas to the development of computing.” This implies that the computer is a system. A system is a group of computer components that work together as a unit to perform a common objective.The term ‘history’ means past events.
The encyclopedia Britannica (2003) defines it as “the discipline that studies the chronological record of events (as affecting a nation or people), based on a critical examination of source materials and usually presenting an explanation of their causes.” The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (1995) simply defines history as “the study of past events.” In discussing the history of computers, chronological record of events – particularly in the area of technological development – will be explained. History of computer in the area of technological development is being considered because it is usually the technological advancement in computers that brings about economic and social advancement. A faster computer brings about faster operation and that in turn causes an economic development. This paper will discuss classes of computers, computer evolution and highlight some roles played by individuals in these developments.Fifth Generation (1984-1990)This generation brought about the introduction of machines with hundreds of processors that could all be working on different parts of a single program. The scale of integration in semiconductors continued at a great pace and by 1990 it was possible to build chips with a million components - and semiconductor memories became standard on all computers. Computer networks and single-user workstations also became popular.Parallel processing started in this generation.
May 5, 2014 - The sixth generation is the future generation. My computer is connected to my brain so, I can control the computer where I want the botton is for.
The Sequent Balance 8000 connected up to 20 processors to a single shared memory module though each processor had its own local cache. The machine was designed to compete with the DEC VAX-780 as a general purpose Unix system, with each processor working on a different user's job. However Sequent provided a library of subroutines that would allow programmers to write programs that would use more than one processor, and the machine was widely used to explore parallel algorithms and programming techniques. The Intel iPSC-1, also known as ‘the hypercube’ connected each processor to its own memory and used a network interface to connect processors.
This distributed memory architecture meant memory was no longer a problem and large systems with more processors (as many as 128) could be built. Also introduced was a machine, known as a data-parallel or SIMD where there were several thousand very simple processors which work under the direction of a single control unit. Both wide area network (WAN) and local area network (LAN) technology developed rapidly.Sixth Generation (1990 - )Most of the developments in computer systems since 1990 have not been fundamental changes but have been gradual improvements over established systems.
This generation brought about gains in parallel computing in both the hardware and in improved understanding of how to develop algorithms to exploit parallel architectures.Workstation technology continued to improve, with processor designs now using a combination of RISC, pipelining, and parallel processing. Wide area networks, network bandwidth and speed of operation and networking capabilities have kept developing tremendously. Personal computers (PCs) now operate with Gigabit per second processors, multi-Gigabyte disks, hundreds of Mbytes of RAM, colour printers, high-resolution graphic monitors, stereo sound cards and graphical user interfaces.
Thousands of software (operating systems and application software) are existing today and Microsoft Inc. Has been a major contributor. Microsoft is said to be one of the biggest companies ever, and its chairman – Bill Gates has been rated as the richest man for several years.Finally, this generation has brought about micro controller technology.
Micro controllers are’embedded’ inside some other devices (often consumer products) so that they can control the features or actions of the product. They work as small computers inside devices and now serve as essential components in most machines.SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONResearching, studying and writing on ‘History of the Computer’ has indeed been a fulfilling, but challenging task and has brought about greater appreciation of several work done by scientists of old, great developmental research carried out by more recent scientists and of course the impact all such innovations have made on the development of the human race. It has generated greater awareness of the need to study history of the computer as a means of knowing how to develop or improve on existing computer technology.It is therefore strongly recommended that science and engineering students should develop greater interest in the history of their profession. The saying that ‘there is nothing absolutely new under the sun’ is indeed real because the same world resources but fresh ideas have been used over the years to improve on existing technologies.Finally, it is hoped that this paper is found suitable as a good summary of ‘the technological history and development of computer’ and challenging to upcoming scientists and engineers to study the history of their profession.
The human nature that is never satisfied encouraging the emergence of innovations in the technology. One of the aims of the new changes is to facilitate our activities and make us more productive in all areas. The rapid development of the sixth generation of computers brings about sophistication in the information technology to make computers become smarter. This article will discover the characteristics and components of the sixth generation of computers.Since the first computer discovery in the 19th century, the development of computers has been evolving until this day. The difference between the first generation of computers and the current generation of computers is quite striking, both in the physical size, capability, technology used, the power required, and the price of computers.The computer developments were gradually improving from the first generation in 1940-1959, the second generation in 1959-1964, the third generation in 1964-1970, the fourth generation in 1970-1980s, the fifth generation computer in the 1980s, and until now the sixth generation of information technology development is ongoing. So, if you would like to know about the sixth generation of computers, here we are going to explain a glimpse about its introduction, components, examples, and other relevant information. Loading.Introduction to the Sixth Generation of ComputersThe sixth generation of computers means the computers will be using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
It’s a computer technology that allows us to interact with the computers. Currently, the sixth generation of computers are still in the development stage and have not been released to the public. However, there is a hope that the computers will be able to interact both physically and psychologically to the people such as can see, hear, speak, think, and be able to make conclusions like the human.
The users are no longer need to do writing or programming (Programless Computer).In the future, it will be possible to make the size of computers smaller but cheaper and certainly more sophisticated than the previous generation of computers. It means the speed of the sixth generation computers would reach up to 1 billion operations per second because it uses multiple processors that can work together in parallel (system vector processor). In which, such technology has been utilized in the latest computers.In addition to the development of computers for personal use, the sixth generation of computers would also be used by large industries to support their activities such as creating aircraft design, weather forecasting, and oil drilling. It means the architecture and capabilities of the sixth-generation computers will be more precise and accurate to the primary function.Currently, there are also a lot of ongoing micro-tech development and audio and output. Some of the future computers probably will not require such as monitor and keyboard.
But they will be replaced by a hologram display of virtual keyboard. So, it is entirely possible to have a tiny computer or mini computer in the form of a watch, pen, etc. The Sixth Generation of Computers Development ConceptNowadays, we cannot see the real form of the sixth generation computers. But some sources said that some concepts about the development of the sixth-generation computers include: Optical ComputerThe optical computer concept will use photons (light particles), which have a very high speed. The blue laser research by Dr. Donald Fraxier found that this technology enables the development of super-fast, lightweight, minicomputers, at a lower cost.
Holographic ComputerThe concept of a holographic computer changes the shape of the conventional computer. By using a hologram in operation, the computer can be a pen, a watch, or something. For the input and output will be displayed in a hologram form. Parallel Vector ComputerFijutsu Corp plans to develop a Pararel Vectors Computer concept. The purpose of multiple processors development is to make it possible computers can work together in parallel to achieve teraflops. Flops mean the amount of a calculation a computer can do in one second, and teraflop means 1 trillion flops. So, the future computer will be able to do 6 trillion flops in one second.
Another prominent feature in Fujitsu’s computer development is the growth of the WAN. Nano TechnologyBesides using the parallel vectors technology in improving the speed of a computer, the sixth generation computers will use nano technology. This technology will increase the processing speed of a computer. Quantum Computing BitsThe quantum computing bits (qubits) concept will not only make a computer faster, but also make other complex languages like Chinese, French, English, and Spanish will be able to be processed quickly.
Sixth Generation Of Computers (1990–present)
Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI)The ULSI concept of a computer will make the sixth generation of computers able to load millions of components on a single chip. The Components of the Sixth Generation ComputersLooking the development concept view, the sixth generation of computers would use the following components: Parallel Vector ProcessorIt means the use of multiple pieces of processors within one computer. This processor works in parallel, so the speed of this computer can reach 1 billion operations per second. Ultra Large-Scale IntegrationBy using the ULSI technology a single chip on a computer can contain millions of components. Microchip with Computer CapabilitiesULSI technology makes it possible for a tiny microchip to have capabilities like a computer.
Generation Of Computers Wikipedia
Blue Laser – HologramThe Sixth generation of computers will use microchips that can emit hologram rays, to display virtual displays as well as virtual keyboards. Small ProjectorThe small projector works to emit hologram rays to visualize data. Scanned Camera Personal ID password The Characteristics of Computers in the Future. Every generation of computers has its characteristics. The following would be the characteristics of the sixth generation computers. Computers would be smaller and different from the current computers.
Sixth Generation Computers Images
The shape is tailored its uses. So, A computer can be a pen, watch, etc. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The sixth generation of computers can interact directly (see, hear, talk) with humans, be able to think and be able to make conclusions, even predict an event using data and forecast what will happen. Using Parallel Vector Processors (more than 200 vectors). The implementation of parallel vector processors has begun since the fourth-generation of computers. But on the development of the sixth generation of computers, the parallel vector processors have been more sophisticated.
Using ULSI technology; enables a small microchip to have capabilities like a computer. Using a blue laser or hologram. Cheaper but more sophisticated.