Third Generation of Computers

In the evolution of the generation of computers, the third generation introduced between the 1965 and 1970s marked a significant leap forward. The third generation of computers used small electronic parts called silicon chips, a.k.a. microchips or integrated circuits and magnetic storage, which made them faster and more powerful than the first and second generations of computers.

The third generation of computers brought forth a new wave of affordability and accessibility in computing, in which multitasking was possible. High-level languages (FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL, C, etc.) were used during this generation. 

Table of Content

• What is a 3rd Generation of Computers?
• Characteristics
• Advantages
• Disadvantages

What is Third Generation of Computers?

Between the years 1964 and 1971, the third generation of computers emerged. The advent of microchips, a single piece of silicon that could house an entire circuit, revolutionized the industry and made the third generation possible. 

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This breakthrough led to the creation of smaller and cheaper computers that were much faster than the older computers. As a result, computers became more affordable, and more people began to show interest in programming and technology. This led to further advancements in computer programming and hardware.

With computational times slashed from microseconds to nanoseconds, the third generation of computers introduced new input devices such as the mouse and keyboard, which replaced the cumbersome punch cards of the past.

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This era also saw the development of groundbreaking operating systems that supported multiprogramming and time-sharing, optimizing the use of computing resources and paving the way for remote processing—a feature that allowed computers to be accessed from different locations.

Here are a few examples of the third generation of computers:

Characteristics of the Third Generation of Computers

• Introduced new input devices like the mouse and keyboard.
• Much faster computational time compared to previous generations.
• Magnetic storage became more widely used, providing a more efficient way to store data.
• Popular programming languages such as C, Pascal, COBOL, and FORTRAN were developed.
• Remote processing was introduced, which allowed computers to be accessed from other locations.
• Introduced new operating systems such as multiprogramming and time-sharing, allowing for more efficient use of resources.
• Used smaller and more efficient electronic parts such as transistors and integrated circuits, allowing for more powerful and cheaper computers.

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Advantages of the Third Generation of Computers

• More cost-effective and widely used
• More accurate than previous generations
• The use of integrated circuits made them more reliable
• Low maintenance costs due to rare hardware failure
• Used for general purposes with a high storage capacity
• Smaller in size and required less space than previous generations
• It did not require as much energy to operate or produce as much heat

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Disadvantages of the Third Generation of Computers

• It isn’t easy to maintain integrated circuit chips.
• Advanced technology was needed to manufacture IC chips.
• Formal training was necessary to operate third-gen computers.
• Third-gen computers still needed air conditioning even though they produced less heat.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of 3rd generation of computers in great detail. Want to learn how the future generation of computers evolved? Check out these articles:

• Fourth Generation of Computers: Discover how microprocessors changed the landscape of computing.
• Fifth Generation of Computers: Learn about the rise of artificial intelligence and parallel processing.
• Sixth Generation of Computers: Explore the future with quantum computers and advanced AI systems.

Happy Learning!!