Computer Generations Cheat Sheet
1 Nov 2026
Quick answer
A quick revision cheat sheet on the generations of computers for SSC, Banking, Railway and state exams. It covers all five generations with their main electronic component, the period, the languages used, and example machines, so you can revise this frequently-asked computer-awareness topic quickly before the exam.
Computer Generations Cheat Sheet
Quick Revision
Computers are grouped into five generations, each marked by the main electronic component it used. Exams ask which component belongs to which generation.
Ready to practise? Take the Computer Generations quiz
1. The Five Generations
| Gen | Period | Main component | Example / language |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1940–1956 | Vacuum tubes | ENIAC, UNIVAC; machine language |
| Second | 1956–1963 | Transistors | assembly language |
| Third | 1964–1971 | Integrated Circuits (IC) | high-level languages |
| Fourth | 1971–present | Microprocessors (VLSI) | personal computers, GUI |
| Fifth | present / future | Artificial Intelligence (ULSI) | parallel processing |
2. The Trend Across Generations
As the generations advance, computers became:
- Smaller in size and cheaper;
- Faster and more reliable;
- Lower in power use and heat.
3. Exam Quick Tips
- Vacuum tubes → Transistors → ICs → Microprocessors → AI is the order to memorise.
- The first generation used vacuum tubes; the fourth introduced the microprocessor.
- The fifth generation is defined by Artificial Intelligence.
Keep revising with the rest of the Basic Computer section:
How this was made: Drafted with AI assistance; spot-checked by the editor on 1 November 2026.