Second-Generation Computers

In this generation of computers, transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes. Transistors are more compact than vacuum tubes as they are made up of semiconductors. they are also more durable than vacuum tubes. Programming languages such as COBOL and FORTRAN were developed during this period. Some of the computers of the second generation are:

IBM 1620: Its size was smaller as compared to the first-generation computers and it was used mostly for scientific purposed.

IBM 1401: It was used for business applications

CDC 3600 : It was used for scientific purposes.

The advantages that the second-generation computers had over the first-generation computers are:

1. They were smaller as compared to the first-generation computers

2. They generated less heat.

3. They took comparatively less computational time.

4. They were less prone to failure.

The disadvantages that second-generation computers had as compared to the first-generation computers are:

1. They required air conditioning

2. Frequent maintenance was required.

3. They were difficult to produce and were quite expensive.