Write a short note on fourth generation computers.

In this generation, Large Scale Integration (LSI) and Very Large scale integration (VLSI) technology was used by which up to 300,000 transistors were used on a single chip. Thus integration of a complete CPU on a single chip was achieved in 1971 and was named microprocessor which marked the fourth generation of computers. The computers based on microprocessor technology had faster accessing and processing speeds. In addition to this, the increased memory capacity further made the computers more powerful and also more efficient operating systems were developed for these computers. New concepts of microprogramming, application software, databases, virtual memory etc were developed and used.

The computers that we use today belong to this generation. These portable computers can be carried from one place to another owing to their compact size. They are much more accurate. Even memory sizes have become phenomenal. Commercial production of these computers is easier and they are the least expensive, compared to the earlier generation computers.

Also, computer networks started coming up during this generation. It is today one of the most popular means to interact and communicate with people.