2nd Generation

OF COMPUTERS

by: Abcdey Bercero

Content
• Introduction

• Features

• Advantage and disadvantage

Introduction
The computers build on 1959s and 1963s are considered the 2nd
generation computers. These computers make use of the transistors
and they had many of the same components as the modern-day
computer.
For instance, the 2nd generation computers typically had a printer, some
sort of tape or disk storage, operating systems, stored programs as well
as some sort of memory.
Some computers of this generation were:

• IBM 1620
• IBM 7094
• CDC 1604
• CDC3600
• UNIVAC 1108
Features
• Use transistors
• Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
• Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
• Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers
• Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
• Still very costly
• A.C needed
• Supported machine and assembly languages
Introduction of transistors
• Transistors are tiny devices that can be found in everything from
robots to radios.
• They have two key properties
1, they can amplify an electrical signal
2, they can switch on and off, letting current through or blocking it as
necessary.
Transistors
In the late 1940s, AT and T Bell laboratories scientists (L. Bardeen H.W
Brattain and W. Shockley) invented the Transistor, replacing vacuum tubes.
They got a Nobel prize for their invention.
• Replaced vacuum tube
• Smaller
• Cheaper
• Less heat dissipation
• Solid state device
• Made from silicon
• Allowed computers to become smaller, faster and less expensive
Storage Advances
• Had the ability to store it’s usage instructions in its memory. Which
had advanced from magnetic drum to magnetic core technology.
• This advancement marked the beginning of more streamlined, user
friendly technological advances and the advanced memory storage
capacity we use today.
Registers
• In second generation computers, more registers were added to the
CPU t facilitate data and address manipulation compare to IAS or the
first generation computer, for example we have the index registers.
• Index registers make it possible to have indexed instructions, which
increment or decrement a designated inde before or after they
execute their main operation.
Input-Output operation
• Introduced input-output processors (IOP). Which are special-purpose
processing units designated exclusively to control IO operations.
• IO data transfers can take place independently of the CPU, permitting
the CPU to execute user programs while IO operations are taking
place.
Language Changes
• In addition to the development of transistors, another major change
that came about with the development of second generation
computers was a modification in language
• Machine language was replaced with assembly language, sometimes
referred to a symbolic language.
• Typical assembly languages used included Common Business-
Oriented Language (CBOL) and formula translator (FOTRAN).
System Programs
• System programs called compilers were developed to translate these
high-level language program into corresponding assembly language
program
• Separate 1/0 processors were developed and in 1962 the first
removable disk pack was marketed
• IBM became major computer manufacturer and most computer
systems are used by government ,business and universities.
Batch processing
• Batch processing is the execution of a series of jobs in a program on a
computer without manual intervention
Utility Advancements
Second generation computers were the first to feature tools such as
printers , disk storage and operating systems, which was often used for
financial operations.
these advancements allowed computer users to keep better control of
their records and triggered the increase of computer use in a day-to-
day business operations.
Advantages
• Fastest computing devices of their time.
• Easy to program because of the use assembly language
• Could be transferred from one place to another easily because they
were smaller and light.
• Require very less power in carrying out their operations
• More reliable, does not require maintenance at regular intervals of
time
Disadvantages
• The input and output media were improved to a considerable extent
• Required to be placed in air-conditioned places?
• The cost of these computers was very high and they were beyond the
reach of home users
• Special-purpose computers could execute only one specific
application
QUESTIONS?
Quiz
• 1-5 Advantages
• 6-9 disadvantages
• Name one second generation computer
Answers
• Fastest computing devices of their time.
• Easy to program because of the use assembly language
• Could be transferred from one place to another easily because they were smaller
and light.
• Require very less power in carrying out their operations
• More reliable, does not require maintenance at regular intervals of time
• The input and output media were improved to a considerable extent
• Required to be placed in air-conditioned places?
• The cost of these computers was very high and they were beyond the reach of
home users
• Special-purpose computers could execute only one specific application
• IBM 1620 ,IBM 7094, CDC 1604 ,CDC3600 ,UNIVAC 1108