Transistors In Second Generation Of Computers
Transistors In Second Generation Of Computers
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, as computer technology became more widely used, the second generation of computers was developed. These computers used transistors in place of vacuum tubes.
Transistors, as opposed to vacuum tubes, dominated the second generation of computers. Transistors weren't widely used in computers until the late 1950s, despite being created by Bell Labs' Walter H. Brattain, John Bardeen, and William B. Shockley in 1947.
Many people realised by 1948 that vacuum tubes would eventually give way to transistors in gadgets like televisions, computers, and radios. The following illustration shows transistors.
Transistors in Second Generation Computers:
The transistor was a vastly improved technology over the vacuum tube, making computers of the second generation more dependable, compact, quick, energy-efficient, and affordable.
In terms of utility and performance, the transistor far exceeded the vacuum tube.However, the transistor's enormous heat output damaged the computer. On second-generation computers, punch cards and printouts were also used as input and output devices.
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With the TX-0, transistors were used for the first time in a computer. It was made accessible in 1956. The RCA 501 also utilised transistors.One of the first computers built around the transistor was the Transac S-2000, which Philco Corporation unveiled in 1958.
Soon after, IBM released the transistor-based IBM 7090, which at the time was the most potent data processing device on the market.
These second-generation computers were employed in the business and scientific fields for a variety of tasks. High-level programming languages like COBOL (Common Business Objects Language) and FORTRAN (Formula Translator) were used to develop and build them.
These computers commonly used magnetic discs and cassettes to store data. They also used a multiprogramming operating system and batch processing.
The UNIVAC 1108, CDC 1604, Honeywell 400, and CDC 3600 are a few examples of second-generation computers.
Because it is entirely transistorised, the IBM 7090 is six times faster than the IBM 709, which utilised vacuum tubes. The development of nuclear power plants, jet engines, and missiles was the main focus of the IBM 7090, a general-purpose data processing machine.
The IBM 7090 has more than 50,000 transistors and state-of-the-art magnetic core storage.
The new system can read and write 3,000,000 bits per second with eight active data channels. In 2.18 millionths of a second, any of the 32,768 data or instruction numbers stored in the magnetic core storage can be located and made available for use.
In addition, the IBM 7090 can perform 39,500 multiplications, 32,700 divisions, and 229,000 additions and subtractions in a single second.
Second Generation Computers:
Computers from a later generation:The transistor outperformed the vacuum tube by a wide margin, enabling computers to develop from the first generation of computers by being more trustworthy, more energy-efficient, smaller in size, and faster.
Compared to vacuum tubes, the usage of transistors was significantly more beneficial. The transistor heated up a lot, damaging the computer.
Inputs and outputs for second-generation computers also included punch cards and printouts. The TX-0 was the first computer to use transistors. It was published in 1956.The first computer to employ transistors was the TX-0.
The TX-0 was the first computer to use transistors. It was published in 1956. Another device that makes use of transistors is the RCA 501.
Features of transistors in Second Generation Computers:
- Instead of vacuum tubes, transistors served as the foundation for the second generation of computers. This is regarded as the second-generation computer system's key characteristic.
- They are very ease of use and also trust-worthy.
- Assemblies and high-level languages like FORTRAN and COBOL can be used and processed by them.
- Their heat and energy output are lower.
- They require air conditioners for improved cooling and performance because they generate heat and electricity.
- Compared to earlier computer system generations, they are less expensive.
- Second-generation computers are smaller and more streamlined.
- They are dependable tools.
- As supplemental storage, magnetic tape and discs are employed.
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Merits:
- The second generation of computers had smaller form factors and higher levels of reliability than their forerunners.
- Second-generation computers may use less electricity than first-generation ones due to the new technologies they employ.
- Since they were quicker than first-generation computers, they were used for business purposes.
- They also improved mobility and accuracy.
Demerits:
As in the first generation of computers, punch cards were still used for data entry.
Even though they produced less heat, the computer room still needed air conditioning.
These computers needed routine maintenance because they were only used for particular tasks.
It was difficult to automate the manufacturing process for these computers, thus a manual component was needed for commercial production.
As a result, they were simultaneously less adaptable and more inexpensive.
The second generation of computers frequently included peripherals like magnetic discs, tape drives, printers, and others.