With the development of integrated circuits (IC), the third generation of computers evolved. It was the first in the generations of computers that resembled the computer systems of today. Until the second generation, computers occupied a whole room or building but with the introduction of integrated circuits, there was an immense decrease in the size of the computers. Popular computers of these generations were IBM 360 and DEC PDP. 

Third-generation computers were introduced in 1965. In the third generation, silicon chips also known as microchips or integrated circuits were used. With the help of this faster, smaller and cheaper computers were introduced, in which multitasking could be done. With computers becoming affordable, there was an increase in the technology and programming practitioners which led to the growth of computer hardware and programming. High-level languages like Pascal, FORTRAN, and C were becoming popular and were used widely. These computers also used magnetic storage.

Features of the third generation computers

The third generation computers were developed and many new features were introduced within the system. Listed below are the few features of this generation of computers:

  • The main electronic component of this generation of computers was Integrated Circuits. In the second generation, transistors were used which were miniaturised and then printed on the ICs. These transistors replaced the vacuum tubes which were used in first-generation computers. The miniaturised transistors were placed over the silicon chips due to which the speed and efficiency drastically increased. IBM made the first commercial computer which was based on IC, hence the start of the third generation of computers
  • The memory used in these computers was the large magnetic core, magnetic disk or tape
  • The high-level programming language was used like PASCAL, FORTRAN, BASIC, C, COBOL, etc.
  • These were smaller in size, cheaper and also efficient as compared to the second generation of computers
  • The input and output devices were monitors, keyboards, magnetic tape, printers, etc.
  • It works based on the memory of the computer which increases the speed of the computer.
  • Due to the small size, the installation of the computers was quite easy
  • The production of energy and heat was less as compared to the previous generation of computers
  • The air conditioner was avoided because there was less production of heat
  • Multitasking could be done as well as multiprogramming
  • For the compact design, the chips used were Very Large Scale Integration and Ultra Large Scale Integration.
  • Keyboards and mouse replaced the use of punch cards 
  • Individual transistors were replaced by the integrated circuits 
  • The storage capacity of this generation of computers was high 
  • Because of the size reduction, they were also known as mini-computers 
  • Some examples of these computers are UNIVAC 1108, IBM 360, PDP 11, etc.

Operating systems in the third generation of computers 

There were a few types of operating systems used in the third generation of computers. 

1. Remote processing Operating system

This operating system works in the client and server forms. Among the two computers, one computer transfers the instructions to be processed to the other computer which has a strong processing capacity. After the processing, the other computer transfers the result to the first computer.

2. Time-sharing operating system

This operating system shares the processor’s time with multiple users simultaneously. Thus this allowed many to use several terminals of one mainframe computer at the same time. It aims to reduce the response time.

3. Real-time operating system 

This operating system reduces the time taken while processing the inputs and generating the result. With this operating system, the time taken is very small.

Programming languages used in the third generation of computers

The third generation used programming languages like COBOL, PASCAL, BASIC, FORTRAN, ALGOL – 68, etc. 

FORTRAN – Formula translator

This programming language is one of the earliest used high-level languages. John Bsckus developed this language at IBM. The common versions which are used in this language are FORTRAN 77 and FORTRAN IV. 

ALGOL – Algorithmic language

Alan J. Perlis developed this language. It introduced the Block Structure. It is a program made of independent blocks which contain instruction and data both. 

COBOL – Common business oriented language

Conclusion

So, with this article, you came to know about the features of third-generation computers. These features were developed in the next generation of computers. The third generation computers introduced the growth and development process of computers in many ways.