Second generation computers

Second generation computers came into existence in 1956. These computers were made up of more dependable, smaller and faster transistors instead of vacuum tubes. They were smaller in size compared to first generation computers and generated lower level of heat and had greater degree of reliability that first generation. They had higher internal storage capacity and higher processing speed then the first generation of computers.

They used magnetic tapes as input and output media or devices and used higher level language and operating system. Because of use of higher level language COBOL and FORTRAN, computers can be used by variety of users and organizations. The transistors were far superior mode of power supply and operating capabilities from vacuum tubes. The second generation computers also moved to symbolic languages from binary machine language. So, they were smaller in size compared to first generation computers and generated lower level of heat and had greater degree of reliability that first generation.