Q. Era of first generation computers?
The trends that were encountered at the time of the era of first generation computers were:
- Centralized control in a single CPU (all the operations needed a direct intervention of the CPU).
- Use of ferrite-core main memory was begun during this time.
- Concepts like use of virtual memory and index register started.
- Punched cards were used for input device.
- Magnetic drums and magnetic tapes were used as secondary memory.
- Machine language or binary code was used for programming.
- Towards the end because of difficulties encountered in use of machine language as programming language. The use of symbolic language that is now called as assembly language started.
- Assembler a program that converts assembly language programs to machine language was developed.
- Computer was available to only one programmer at a time (single user environment).
- Advent of von-Neumann architecture.