1st generation of computer

1^{st generation of computer}

^{In 1946 there was no such best way of storing instruction & data in a computer memory there were} 4 competing technology for providing computer memory 

1. Electrostatic storage tubes

2. Acoustic delay lines

3. Magnetic Drums

4. Magnetic core storage

Key Hardware Technologies

1. Vacuum tube.

2. Electromagnetic relay memory.

3. Punch card secondary memory.

Key Software Technologies

1.  Machines & assembly

2. Stored program concept

3. Mostly scientific apps

Some Representative Systems

1. IBM 701

2. ESDAC

3. EVDAC

4. ENIAC

5. UNIVAC-1

SOME KEY CHARACTERSTICS

1. Bulk in size

2. Commercial production  difficult &costly

3. Highly unreliable

4. Limited commercial use

5. Difficult to use