Second generation
COMPUTERS of 2nd generation have been developed in 1950-60 As a basic element electron tubes, and crystal diodes and transistors have been used any more, and as memory devices magnetic cores and magnetic drums - far grandparents of modern hard disks began to be applied.
The second difference of these computers is that there was a possibility of programming on programming languages. The first high-level languages - the Fortran, Algol, have been developed by Kobol.
These two important refinements have allowed to simplify and accelerate writing of programs for computers considerably. Programming, remaining a science, gains features of craft.
All it has allowed to reduce sharply dimensions and cost of computers which then began to be under construction for the first time on sale.
Computers of this generation: «RAZDAN-2», «IĀĢ-7090», «Minsk-22,-32», «URAL - 14,-16», «computer-3,-4,-6», «M-220,-222», etc.
Application of semiconductors in electronic circuits of the COMPUTER have led to increase in reliability, productivity to 30 thousand operations a second, and the RAM to 32 KB. Overall dimensions of computers and a current consumption have decreased. But the main reachings of this epoch belong to area of programs.
On the second generation of computers for the first time there was that is named today as the operating system. Also the sphere of application of computers accordingly extended.
Already not only scientists could calculate for access to computer facilities; computers have found application in planning and handle, and some large firms even computing the accounts department, anticipating a fashion for twenty years.