JAMIA 2026 — Computer PYQ
JAMIA | Computer | 2026In which generation of computers is the pipelining technique used?
Choose the correct answer:
- A.
First generation
- B.
Second generation
- C.
Third generation
- D.
Fourth generation
(Correct Answer)
Fourth generation
Explanation
Correct Option: (d) Fourth generation
Solution
What is Pipelining?
Pipelining is a fundamental hardware implementation technique where multiple instructions are overlapped in execution. Think of it like an assembly line in a factory. Instead of waiting for one instruction to complete all its stages before starting the next, the processor works on different stages of multiple instructions simultaneously.
If a processor has k stages, the ideal speedup achieved through a pipelined architecture over a non-pipelined system is given by the formula:
Speedup (S)≈k
Where:
k = Total number of stages in the pipeline.
The total execution time for n instructions in a k-stage pipeline with clock cycle time tc is calculated using the equation: Tpipeline=(k+n−1)×tc.
Evolution & Generations of Computers:
First Generation (Vacuum Tubes): Completely serial execution. No concept of overlapping instructions.
Second Generation (Transistors): Basic batch processing introduced, but hardware architectural features like pipelining were absent in mainstream machines.
Third Generation (Integrated Circuits - ICs): Introduction of semiconductor memories and microprogramming. While early mainframe experiments (like the IBM 360/91) laid theoretical foundations, pipelining was not standard.
Fourth Generation (Very Large Scale Integration - VLSI): Microprocessors emerged during this era. Advanced concepts like Instruction Pipelining, Superscalar Execution, and parallel architectures became standard characteristics of CPUs (such as Intel 80486 and Pentium processors).
Therefore, as per standard computer organization benchmarks, the pipelining technique became widely integrated and a core characteristic during the Fourth generation of computers.
