Computer- cames from the word COMPUTE which means to Calculate.

Computers are everywhere: at work, at school, and at home. People use all types and sizes of
computers for a variety of reasons and in a range of places. While some computers sit on top of a
desk or on the floor, mobile computers and mobile devices are small enough to carry. Mobile devices,
such as many cell phones, often are classified as computers.Computers are a primary means of local and
global communication for billions of people. Consumers use computers to correspond with businesses,
employees with other employees and customers, students with classmates and teachers, and family
members and military personnel with friends and other family members.

For simplifying and providing a framework for discussion of the growth of computer industry, it
is customary to break it into generations of growth. Originally, the term 'generation’ was used to
distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But since 1968, both hardware and software
advances are considered in the generation classification. These generations represent major advances in
computing technology. There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has
been discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics. Here, approximate dates
against each generation have been mentioned which are normally accepted.

The following are the main five generations of computers: