Second Generation Computers 1959-1965

The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this generation,

 transistors were used that were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the first generation machines made of vacuum tubes.

In this generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices.

In this generation, assembly language and high-level programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and multiprogramming operating system.


Some computers of this generation


IBM 1620, IBM 7094
CDC 1604, CDC 3600
UNIVAC 1108

 

The main features of second generation are −

Use of 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

Faster than first generation computers

Still very costly

AC required

Supported machine and assembly languages

 

 

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