What is First Generation Computer? - Explained

IBM 701, First Generation Computer. Image by IBM.

First-generation computers were in the period of 1946 to 1959. After the pre-generation computers, the first-generation computers were invented.

Technology

First-generation computers used vacuum tubes as the basic component for each and every part of computers. Vacuum tubes do carry electrical current from a vacuumed environment inside the glass tube. 

These glass tubes with the vacuumed environments in it used as the memory of the computer, CPU, and as well as circuitry because of the latency and delay which occurs in converting the current to copper wires. 

Due to almost each and every vacuum tube is fused, and the since vacuum tube generates more heat, the circuitry got fused at many times in operational hours and this occurred mal-functioning of the computer. 

As the operating system, first-generation computers used batch processing operating systems which allow the users to process a task in batches. Punch Cards and paper tapes were used as the input devices and magnetic tapes were used as output devices in first-generation computers.

Machine code used as the programming language in first-generation computers, which also known as the low-level computer language. 

Due to the large size in circuitry and high heat, the first generation computers needed air conditioning to keep the computer cool.

The prices were much higher and only the large enterprises were able to use the first generation computers.