Main Features of Fourth Generation of Computer

Points : Main Features of Fourth Generation of Computer(1971-1981)Major Innovation = LSIC & VLSIC (Micro processor)

Main Memory = EPROM and SRAM

External Storage = Floppy disk and Hard disk

Input Output devices = Monitor for output

Languages = Languages and application software

Operating System = MS-DOS & PC-DOS

Size = Micro computer e.g. IBM-PC, Apple Macintosh etc

The integrated circuits were more developed and called Small scale integration (SSI), after some time the SSI were more developed and termed as Large scale Integration (LSI). There was a great versatility of input/output devices. In 1971, a powerful microprocessor chip INTEL 8008 was introduced. The first microprocessor which is used in personal computers (PC) was INTEL 8080. The 8 inch floppy disk was also introduced in 1971, while hard disk was introduced in 1973. The 5.25” floppy disk was first time used in 1978. The optical disk was developed in 1980. First portable computer “Osborne I” was marketed in 1981. IBM-3033, IBM-370, IBM system 34, IBM system 36, Cray-I, CP/M etc were introduced in this generation.