<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 definition
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
