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second-generation computer
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How the Elliott 803 transistorized computer works
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second-generation computer

computing
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How the Elliott 803 transistorized computer works
How the Elliott 803 transistorized computer works Learn about the Elliott 803, a transistorized computer made in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s.

The second generation of computers, emerging in the late 1950s, marked a significant advancement by replacing unreliable vacuum tubes with more efficient and reliable transistors. This shift led to computers that were smaller, faster, and consumed less power than their predecessors.1

These second-generation machines were crucial in the development of programming languages. Languages like FORTRAN (1957) and ALGOL (1958-60) were developed to make programming more accessible and efficient for scientific and mathematical tasks. This era also saw the rise of minicomputers, which were smaller and less expensive than mainframes, making computing power more accessible to laboratories and businesses. The development of integrated circuits in later generations would further miniaturize and enhance computing capabilities.234

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
8 Britannica Sources
  1. computer - Minicomputers
  2. computer - Bigger brains
  3. Influential Computer Programming Languages
  4. computer - ALGOL
  5. digital computer
  6. computer - Commodore and Tandy enter the field
  7. computer - Integrated circuits
  8. computer - Microcomputer

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