* Mainframes: Used for large-scale data processing and transaction processing.
* Minicomputers: Used for smaller-scale data processing and scientific applications.
* Personal computers: Used for a variety of tasks, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management.
Key features:
* Increased processing power: Third generation computers used integrated circuit (IC) technology to pack more transistors onto a single chip, which resulted in faster processing speeds.
* Increased memory capacity: Third generation computers used semiconductor memory, which was smaller and more reliable than magnetic core memory. This allowed computers to store more data in memory, which improved performance.
* Improved input/output (I/O) devices: Third generation computers used new I/O devices, such as magnetic tape drives and disk drives, which made it easier to store and retrieve data.
* Software development tools: Third generation computers came with a variety of software development tools, which made it easier for programmers to write code. This led to the development of more sophisticated software applications.