IndianTechnoEra: Second Generation of Computers | Computer Fundamental

Chapter 8: Second Generation of Computers

Introduction to Second Generation Computers

The second generation of computers, spanning from 1959 to 1964, marked a significant leap in computing technology with the replacement of vacuum tubes by transistors. This shift resulted in smaller, faster, more reliable, and commercially viable computers. The introduction of high-level programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN, along with magnetic core memory, expanded their applications to business, scientific simulations, airline reservations, and air traffic control. This chapter explores the characteristics, history, inventions, key inventors, notable machines, advantages, disadvantages, and lasting impact of second-generation computers.

Characteristics of Second Generation Computers

Second-generation computers were defined by their use of transistors and advancements in storage and programming, making them more practical and versatile than their predecessors.

• Transistor-Based: Used transistors instead of vacuum tubes for processing and memory.
• Compact Size: Significantly smaller than first-generation computers, reducing space requirements.
• Lower Heat Generation: Produced less heat, decreasing the need for extensive cooling systems.
• High-Level Languages: Programmed with languages like COBOL and FORTRAN, improving development efficiency.
• Magnetic Core Memory: Utilized small magnetic rings for primary storage, replacing rotating drums.
• Increased Reliability: More dependable with fewer hardware failures.
• Commercial Accessibility: More affordable, enabling broader adoption by businesses.

History of Second Generation Computers

The invention of the transistor sparked a new era in computing, characterized by technological advancements and increased commercialization. Key milestones include:

• 1956: IBM introduced the RAMAC, the first magnetic disk system, with 5 MB storage using 50 metal disks.
• 1957: IBM developed FORTRAN, the first high-level general-purpose programming language.
• 1959: IBM launched the IBM 1401, a transistor-based mainframe that sold 12,000 units, becoming a commercial success.
• 1960: IBM released the IBM 1620, a scientific computer with punched card input and a 60,000-digit magnetic core memory, selling around 2,000 units.
• 1962: Spacewar!, the first computer game, was developed, and DEC introduced the PDP-1 for research purposes.
• 1964: IBM unveiled the System/360 series, unifying commercial and scientific computing with compatible software across models.

Size of Second Generation Computers

Compared to first-generation computers, which could be up to 30 meters long, second-generation computers were significantly smaller due to transistors. A single transistor occupied far less space than a vacuum tube, allowing 200 transistors to fit in the same area as one tube. This reduction made computers lighter, faster, and more reliable, with reduced ventilation needs. However, they remained expensive, limiting access to large organizations.

Inventions of Second Generation Computers

The transistor was the cornerstone of second-generation computing, developed by leveraging silicon’s semiconductor properties. Key inventions include:

• Transistor: A semiconductor device that amplifies, switches, or rectifies electrical signals, acting as an electronic switch in computers. It was smaller, more durable, and energy-efficient than vacuum tubes.
• Magnetic Core Memory: Consisted of small magnetic rings linked to store data and instructions, offering faster access than magnetic drums.
• Magnetic Disk Storage (RAMAC): Introduced by IBM, enabling random access to 5 MB of data on 50 large metal disks.
• High-Level Programming Languages: FORTRAN and COBOL simplified programming, broadening computer applications.

Inventors of Second Generation Computers

The development of transistors was a collaborative effort by:

• John Bardeen (1908–1991): An American physicist and electrical engineer.
• Walter Houser Brattain (1902–1987): A physicist specializing in solid-state physics.
• William Bradford Shockley (1910–1989): A physicist who led the research team.

These scientists, working at Bell Laboratories, invented the transistor in 1947 and were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956 for their contributions to semiconductor technology.

Featured Second Generation Computers

Second-generation computers were widely adopted in scientific, military, and commercial applications. Notable machines include:

• IBM 1401 (1959): A transistor-based mainframe with punched card input and 4,000-character magnetic core memory, selling 12,000 units.
• IBM 7090/7094: High-performance mainframes used for scientific and military applications.
• Honeywell 800/5000 Series: Versatile computers for business and industrial use.
• UNIVAC M460: A robust system for data processing.
• NCR 315: Designed for business applications like accounting.
• RCA 501/601: Early transistor-based systems for commercial use.
• UNIVAC LARC and IBM Stretch (1961): Supercomputers pushing computational boundaries.

Advantages of Second Generation Computers

• Smaller size compared to first-generation computers due to transistors.
• Lower energy consumption and reduced heat generation.
• Faster processing, capable of calculations in microseconds.
• Improved portability, though still bulky by modern standards.
• More reliable with fewer hardware failures.
• Lower acquisition costs, enabling commercial adoption.
• Supported high-level languages and punched cards for easier programming.

Disadvantages of Second Generation Computers

• Still required cooling systems in some environments.
• Frequent maintenance needed due to hardware complexity.
• Limited to specific applications, lacking general-purpose flexibility.
• High initial costs, though more affordable than first-generation systems.

Impact and Legacy of Second Generation Computers

Second-generation computers transformed computing by making it more accessible to businesses and institutions. The introduction of transistors reduced size and cost, enabling applications like inventory management, payroll, and scientific simulations. High-level languages like COBOL and FORTRAN democratized programming, fostering software development. The commercial success of machines like the IBM 1401 established computing as a vital industry, paving the way for integrated circuits in the third generation. Innovations like magnetic core memory and disk storage laid the groundwork for modern data storage technologies.

Questions

Note: The provided content did not include explicit questions for this unit. The following questions are derived from the context to align with the format of previous chapters.

• What are second generation computers?
• What are the characteristics of second generation computers?
• What are the advantages of second generation computers?
• What are the disadvantages of second generation computers?
• Who were the key inventors of second generation computers?
• What are some notable second generation computers?
• How did second generation computers impact the development of modern computing?
• What role did transistors play in second generation computers?
• What were the key storage technologies used in second generation computers?