first generation computer
<architecture> A prototype computer based on vacuum tubes and other
esoteric technologies. Chronologically, any computer designed before the
mid-1950s. Examples include Howard Aiken's Mark 1 (1944), Maunchly and Eckert's
ENIAC (1946), and the IAS computer.
(1996-11-22)
Nearby terms:
firmy « first class module « First Fit « first
generation computer » first generation language
» first-in first-out » first normal form
first generation language
Raw machine code. When computers were first "programmed" from an input device,
rather than by being rewired, they were fed input in the form of numbers, which
they then interpreted as commands. This was really low level, and a program
fragment might look like "010307 010307". Almost no one programs in machine
language anymore, because translators are nearly trivial to write.
(1994-12-01)
Nearby terms:
first class module « First Fit « first generation
computer «
first generation language » first-in first-out »
first normal form » first-order
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