Characteristics of first generation computer

The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes. 1st generation computers were large in size and slow in speed as they were made up of numerous diodes, triodes, resistors, capacitors, etc. Computers of this generation used high power consumption and generated a lot of heat. They had limited data storage capacity and required a lot of electricity to operate.

Early computers were very large and heavy. Each of these weighed about twenty to twenty-five tons and occupied an area of one thousand square feet. As a result, a large room was required to house the first generation of computers. These computers were expensive but less reliable. The pace of work is slow.

The ENIAC was an example of the first generation of computers. It consists of about 20,000 vacuum tubes, 10,000 capacitors, and 70,000 registers. It weighed more than 30 tons and occupied a huge space. Other examples of first-generation computers include the EDSAC, the IBM 701, and the Mark 1.

Characteristics of first-generation computers:

1. Very large in size.
2. Limited data capacity.
3. was not accurate and reliable.
4. A room was needed to house a computer.
5. Used machine-level languages ​​for programming.
6. The computers of this generation were very costly.
7. Input and output were managed through punch cards.
8. The working speed of these computers was very slow.
9. The ability to generate outputs based on data was quite poor.
10. Vacuum tubes and other sorts of electrical circuits are used.
11. These computers consume a lot of electricity and generate lots of heat.
12. Maintenance and heating problems are major disadvantages of this generation. 
13. Magnetic drums were used for primary storage and punch cards for permanent storage.
14. Examples: ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM 650, Markk 1, and so on.

Advantages of first-generation computers:

1. The structure of these computers was relatively simple type.
2. Could work faster than other machines of the time.
3. These computers had a system for storing information.

Disadvantages of first-generation computers: 

1. These computers were large in size.
2. These computers were very slow to work.
3. Computers of that era were very costly.
4. Output by these computers was very poor.
5. It was too big to be transferred from one place to another.
6. Huge amounts of electricity were required to run large computers.
7. The use of vacuum tubes generates a lot of heat. As a result, air conditioning was necessary to run this computer.

Overview of first-generation computers:

The first generation of computers consumed a lot of electricity. It couldn't be moved because it was too big. Computers were large in size, very slow to operate, and had a very poor ability to generate results based on data. Vacuum tubes generate a lot of heat. Computers need to be air-conditioned to function. Additionally, computers at the time were costly. Many types of computers were developed in the first generation, including the ENIAC, EDVAC, and EDSAC.

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