third generation computer
<architecture> A computer built with small-scale integration integrated
circuits, designed after the mid-1960s.
Third generation computers use semiconductor memories in addition to, and later
instead of, ferrite core memory. The two main types of semiconductor memory are
Read-Only Memory (ROM) and read-and-write memories called Random Access Memory
(RAM).
A technique called microprogramming became widespread and simplified the design
of the CPUs and increased their flexibility. This also made possible the
development of operating systems as software rather than as hard-wiring.
A variety of techniques for improving processing efficiency were invented, such
as pipelining, (parallel operation of functional units processing a single
instruction), and multiprocessing (concurrent execution of multiple programs).
As the execution of a program requires that program to be in memory, the
concurrent running of several programs requires that all programs be in memory
simultaneously. Thus the development of techniques for concurrent processing was
matched by the development of memory management techniques such as dynamic
memory allocation, virtual memory, and paging, as well as compilers producing
relocatable code.
The LILLIAC IV is an example of a third generation computer.
The CTSS (Compatible Time-Sharing System) was developed at MIT in the early
1960s and had a considerable influence on the design of subsequent timesharing
operating systems.
An interesting contrasting development in this generation was the start of mass
production of small low-cost "minicomputers".
Nearby terms:
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third generation computer » third generation
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