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Questions and Answers

Who is considered the father of computing?

Charles Babbage

What is the name of the first general-purpose digital computer that Charles Babbage designed?

Analytical Engine

What was the main purpose of the ENIAC computer?

To calculate artillery-firing tables.

The first transistor was invented in 1947 and was a much smaller replacement for the vacuum tube. It is considered one of the most important electronics events of the 20th century.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the world’s first electronic digital computer?

Atansoff-Berry Computer (ABC) Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the computer that the US Dept of Defense named in order to honor Ada, Countess of Lovelace’s contributions towards computing?

Ada Signup and view all the answers

What is a supercomputer?

A supercomputer is designed to perform at or near the currently highest operational rate for computers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mainframe Computer?

A mainframe is a large computer capable of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What is a desktop computer?

A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for single-user use, such as running productivity applications, web surfing, and other general tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Portable computer?

A portable computer is designed to be easily transported and relocated, but is larger and less convenient to transport than a notebook computer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of a computer that processes the basic instructions that drive it?

CPU (Central Processing Unit) or Processor Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the electronic holding place for instructions and data that the microprocessor can access quickly?

RAM (Random Access Memory) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the storage that holds the data in electromagnetic form for access by a computer processor?

Secondary storage or Computer Storage Signup and view all the answers

What are the name of the devices that provide data or commands to a computer?

Input Devices Signup and view all the answers

What are the name of the devices to which the computer writes data?

Output Devices Signup and view all the answers

What is a port and what type of ports are used for connecting several devices to a computer?

A port is a specific location in a computer for connecting to a device. A 'Serial Port' is a single line connected to a device. A 'Parallel Port' is multiple lines connected to a device. Signup and view all the answers

What are the name of the memory that stores the computer’s programming that allows the computer to boot up? What is one other type of this type of memory?

ROM Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of a small computer designed to control electronic equipment?

Microcontroller Signup and view all the answers

Where is the small amount of memory that is located on the same chip as the microprocessor, which the microprocessor uses to store a copy of frequently used data and instructions?

Cache Memory Signup and view all the answers

What is a browser?

A browser is an application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web. Signup and view all the answers

What is a URL?

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator and is the address of a file or resource accessible on the Internet. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Web site?

A Web site is a related collection of World Wide Web (WWW) files that includes a beginning file called a home page. Signup and view all the answers

What is the home page of a Web site?

The home page is the first Web page that is displayed after starting a Web browser. It can be a company's main landing page or an individual's online portfolio. Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the World Wide Web and why?

Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Semantic Web' refer to?

The Semantic Web is an idea for making the Web more intelligent and intuitive about how to serve a user's needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the set of machine instructions that a computer's CPU can understand and execute?

Machine Language or Native Language Signup and view all the answers

What are the name of the programs that convert human understandable code into machine language?

Language Translators Signup and view all the answers

What is software development?

Software development is a process used to develop computer software. Signup and view all the answers

What is system software?

System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware components of a computer system. Signup and view all the answers

What is application software?

Application software interacts with the user to perform tasks that are useful to them. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operating system?

An operating system is a program that controls the overall operation of a computer, interacts directly with the hardware, and provides a consistent interface for other software to work with the hardware. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the main component of an operating system?

Kernel Signup and view all the answers

What is a device driver and what does it do?

Device drivers are computer programs that allow an operating system to interact with a hardware device. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the program that translates high-level language code into low-level machine language?

Language Translator Signup and view all the answers

What is a shrink-wrapped software?

Shrink-wrapped software is a product that you can purchase in a store and use without further customization. Signup and view all the answers

What is a custom-built software?

Custom-built software is a special software designed to fulfill the specific needs of a particular organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the program that runs when a typical computer is turned on and is responsible for managing the computer’s hardware and software resources?

Operating System Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the original, experimental network that the DoD created for testing emerging networking technologies?

ARPANET(Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) Signup and view all the answers

What is the set of protocols used on the Internet?

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the software that is used to organize and manage large data sets on a database?

Database Management System (DBMS) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of a type of database that stores data in a single, flat text file, where each record is separated by a special character?

Flat-file database Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of a database that consists of two or more related tables?

Relational Database Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of a software program that is specifically designed to provide facilities for creating, populating, modifying, and querying relational databases?

Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) Signup and view all the answers

What is data mining?

Data mining is the process of analyzing large databases to identify patterns and trends. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the AI technique based on the principles of the logical reasoning ability of humans that uses a set of rules to make decisions?

Rule-based systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the AI technique that leverages human language and natural reasoning to make decisions?

Fuzzy Logic Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the AI technique that is inspired by the human brain and uses simple processing elements to learn from data?

Neural Network Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the AI technique that is inspired by evolutionary theory?

Genetic Algorithm Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the type of software that is designed to improve the decision-making capabilities of their users by leveraging historical data and models?

Decision Support System Signup and view all the answers

What is a computer program that performs various actions continuously, autonomously on behalf of their principal?

Autonomous Web Agents or Softbots Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the computing paradigm that uses objects, properties, and methods to design and build software programs?

Object-Oriented Programming Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the computing paradigm that focuses on breaking down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable parts?

Structured Programming Signup and view all the answers

The future of computing will involve a convergence of computing and telecommunications.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the technology that aims to provide medical care to patients remotely using audio/video/text connections and medical instruments?

Telemedicine Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Semantic Web' refer to?

The Semantic Web is an idea for making the Web more intelligent and intuitive about how to serve a user’s needs. Signup and view all the answers

What are some general trends in computing regarding computing power?

Computing power will continue to become exponentially more efficient, smaller in size, and less expensive. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the technology that will allow for realistic and immersive virtual experiences, where people can interact remotely as if they were in the same physical location?

Telepresence Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the technology that uses computers to understand human language?

Natural Language Processing Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the technology that uses computer programs to mimic human reasoning and learning to solve complex problems?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the key ethical issues in the field of computing that are generally discussed?

Data privacy, software ownership, and the potential for misuse of technology. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the programming paradigm that emphasizes organizing code into a hierarchical structure with modularity and top-down design?

Structured Programming Signup and view all the answers

What is event handling?

Event handling is the process of capturing events, such as user actions, and responding to them accordingly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the programming language that is specifically designed for creating interactive and dynamic web pages?

JavaScript Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Object-Based' refer to in the context of programming languages?

A programming language that treats data and operations as objects. Signup and view all the answers

What are event handlers in a web browser?

Event handlers are JavaScript code that is called when a specific event, such as a mouse click or a key press, occurs in a web page. They add interactivity and responsiveness to web pages, allowing for actions to be triggered based on these events. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different methods for defining a JavaScript function?

Functions can be defined as inline code within an HTML tag or as a separate code block inside the HEAD section of an HTML document. They are typically defined to organize code into reusable modules and improve code readability and maintainability. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'Local Variables' and 'Global Variables'?

Local variables are only available within the function in which they are declared, whereas global variables are available throughout the entire web page or window. Signup and view all the answers

What is a good rule of thumb for determining where a variable should be declared?

If a variable is only needed within a specific function, then declare it as a local variable. This will help reduce the risk of errors and conflicts when working with variables across functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the important method used to parse (break down) a string into its component parts and analyze it in JavaScript?

parseInt() and parseFloat() Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the method used to convert a number to a string in Javascript?

toString() Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of event handlers in JavaScript?

Event handlers in JavaScript are used to add interactivity and responsiveness to web pages. They are executed when a specific event occurs, such as a mouse click, a key press, or a page loading. They are typically written as attributes within HTML tags and are often used to call functions to execute actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between using inline JavaScript event handlers and defining them separately in the HEAD section?

Inline JavaScript event handlers can be used for simple and short actions. They allow for a quick fix to address a particular event right inside the HTML tag. On the other hand, defining event handlers in JavaScript code in the HEAD section is a more structured and robust approach. It provides a separate and dedicated location for your JavaScript. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the technology that enables computers to communicate with each other via telephone lines?

Modem Signup and view all the answers

What is the smallest unit of data that is transmitted over a computer network?

Packet Signup and view all the answers

What are the popular types of network topologies?

Point-to-point, Star, Bus, and Ring. Signup and view all the answers

What are some important protocols for creating and sharing files over the internet?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and Telnet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the protocol used for sending emails over the internet?

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Computing - CS101

This course covers the fundamental concepts of computing, including the evolution of computing, web development, and popular PC productivity software.
The course content is organized into lectures, with each lecture focusing on different topics.
The table of contents lists the topics covered in each lecture.

Lecture 1: Introduction

Charles Babbage (1791-1871): Creator of the Analytical Engine (the first general-purpose digital computer).
Ada, Countess of Lovelace (1815-52): Wrote the world's first computer program for Babbage's Analytical Engine.
The Analytical Engine: A programmable, mechanical, digital machine.
Basic components of a computer system (input, memory, processor, output).

Lecture 2: Evolution of Computing

Turing Machine (1936): A theoretical computing machine used in computability theory.
Vacuum Tube (1904): An early electronic component.
ABC (1939): Atanasoff-Berry Computer, early electronic digital computer.
Harvard Mark I (1943): Significant development in the evolution of computer architecture.
ENIAC (1946): Electrical Numerical Integrator and Calculator.
Transistor (1947): Revolutionized electronics.
Floppy Disk (1950): Early storage technology
UNIVAC 1 (1951): First commercially successful electronic computer.
Compiler (1952): Grace Hopper developed the first software to translate higher-level computer languages into machine language.
ARPANET (1969): Precursor to the Internet for U.S. DoD.
Intel 4004 (1971): World's first microprocessor integrated circuit.
Altair 8800 (1975): Marketed personal computer.
Cray 1 (1976): First supercomputer.
IBM PC (1981): Popularized the "personal computer" (PC) term.
Apple Macintosh (1984): Introduced the graphical user interface (GUI) and mouse to the public.
World Wide Web (1989): Created by Tim Berners-Lee, the fundamental technology for the internet we use today.
Quantum computing with molecules: A new computing paradigm.

Lecture 3: The World Wide Web

Browser: Software used to view and interact with websites (e.g., Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer)
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The specific address of a resource on the Internet.
Website: a collection of related Web pages
Home Page: The first page of a website
Semantic Web: An idea for making the web more easily understood by computers.
Useful Web Page: Example of a Web page (specific to an 'Understanding Computers' textbook).

Lecture 4: Computer Types

Supercomputers: Most powerful computers available commercially.
Mainframe computers: Large, powerful computers capable of handling large numbers of users simultaneously.
Servers: Used to provide services to other computers and users over a network.
Minicomputers: Midrange computers between workstations and mainframes.
Workstations: High-end personal computers performing demanding work.
Portables: Design for easy transport and relocation.
Essential hardware components: All computers have input devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.), a processor (CPU), and storage, typically including RAM (random access memory) used for running programs & data. ROM (read only memory) for controlling the initial boot-up processes in the computer.

Lecture 5: (PC) Parts

Discusses the various components that make up a modern personal computer (PC), such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphone, CPU, motherboard, and components inside of the CPU (like power supply, motherboard, video card, modem, network card, sound card, RAM).

Lecture 6: Web Development (1)

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): Defines the structure and content of web pages.
How to create and upload a web page using HTML code.
How to develop a simple webpage and make sure it uploads to the web server and is viewable to the public (specific to VU).

Lecture 7: Microprocessor,

Brief explanation of the key components of a microprocessor.
Data and instruction cache.
Instruction decoder.
Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU).
Floating-Point Unit (FPU).
Control unit.

Lecture 8: Binary Numbers & Logic Operations

Binary number system (base 2).
Decimal number system (base 10).
Not, And, Or, and XOR logic operations used in computer programming.
Basic operations used by a microprocessor.

Lecture 9: Web Development (2)

HTML Lists: Ordered and unordered lists.
HTML Tables: How HTML Tables are structured, and use of various attributes (border, cellpadding, etc.).

Lecture 10: Computer Software

Classification of software: System/Application software.
Machine Language (base 2).
Language Translators (compiler & interpreter).
Software Development Process: Stages of designing and building software.

Lecture 11: Operating Systems

The Role of an Operating System (OS): How it manages hardware and software resources of a computer.
Types of Operating Systems (OS): Single-User, Single Task; Single-User, Multi-Tasking; Multi-User.

Lecture 12: Web Development (3)

Interactive Forms (Including various forms): Text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and file uploads.
Server-side scripts: How they function on web servers, versus client-side scripts.

Lecture 13: Application Software

Types of Application Software:
Scientific/engineering/graphics
Business
Productivity
Entertainment software
Educational Application Software.
Classification of Application Software: Interactive Mode (e.g., word processor) / Batch Mode (e.g., Payroll).

Lecture 14: Word Processing

Word Processing: The process of converting written information into a visually appealing format.
Features of word processors: Type, cut, copy, paste
Common Use Cases.

Lecture 15: Web Development (4)

Interactive Web Forms (cont.): How they function and use of various input types.
Client-Side Scripts: JavaScript snippets embedded in HTML to enhance user experience.
Basic JavaScript for Interactivity.

Lecture 16: Algorithms

Algorithm: A sequence of steps to solve a problem.
Greedy algorithm.
Deterministic algorithm.
Randomized algorithm.
Heuristics.
Examples: addition, binary conversion, sorting

Lecture 17: Algorithms II

Algorithm Building Blocks: Sequences, Conditionals, Loops.
Pseudo Code: An informal representation of an algorithm.
Flowcharts: Visual representation of an algorithm.
Problem Solving Techniques.
Simple problem-solving example illustrated with algorithms.

Lecture 18: Objects, Properties, and Methods (Web Development 6)

Object: A collection of properties and methods
Properties.
Methods.
Example of JavaScript objects & their properties and methods.
Functionalities of objects.

Lecture 19: Programming Languages

Overview of various Programming Languages
High-level languages
Assembly Languages
Machine Languages

Lecture 20: SW Development Methodology

SW Life Cycle: Stages of developing a software system.
Design guidelines.
How to solve simple problems.

Lecture 21: Data Types & Operators (Web Development 7)

Data Types in JavaScript: Numbers; Booleans; Strings.
Variables (declaring).
Basic Operators.
Arithmetic; Logical; Comparison operators.

Lecture 22: Spreadsheets

Introduction to Spreadsheets.
Spreadsheet features and functionalities for business or scientific data.

Lecture 23: Flow Control & Loops (Web Development 8)

if, else, else if, and switch statements.
Loop structures – while, for.

Lecture 24: Design Heuristics

Design Heuristics.
System architecture.
Rules of thumb in software designing.

Lecture 25: Web Design for Usability

Web design for usability.
Design considerations and heuristics.

Lecture 26: Arrays (Web Development 9):

What are arrays.
Array declaration.
How to use arrays in programming using JavaScript.

Lecture 27: Computer Networks

General knowledge about computer networks
Network topologies (Bus, Star, Ring, combination)
Networking protocols
Ethernet
Token ring.

Lecture 28: Introduction to the Internet

Various Internet services.
Internet Protocol (IP).
Domain Name System (DNS).

Lecture 29: Functions & Variable Scope (Web Development 10)

How Functions are used in programming.
Function identifiers
Function arguments
Definitions and uses for local and global variables.

Lecture 30: Internet Services

Internet services (FTP, Telnet, eMail, Instant messaging, VoIP, Multimedia delivery).

Lecture 31: Developing Presentations

General information about creating presentations (including the various software packages used)

Lecture 32: Event Handling (Web Development 11)

Event Handlers concept.
In-line JavaScript.
Event types, onClick, onBlur, onMouseMove.

Lecture 33: Graphs & Animation

Basic ideas of computer graphics
Image files.
Image formats.
How to display images on web pages.
How to animate an image.
Bit - and vector graphics.

Lecture 34: Intelligent Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI).
Categories of AI: Expert systems; Robotics; Natural Language Processing; and Computer Vision.
Neural networks
Genetic algorithms
Fuzzy logic
Rule-based systems

Lecture 35: Mathematics

Mathematical methods and functions.
Number-related methods and functions.
Various methods of the Math object.
How to create functions, and what to expect in their usage

Lecture 36: Data Management

Information on databases
Types of databases: flat files, tables/rows
DBMSes.

Lecture 37: Database Software

Information on Relational Databases (RDBMS).
Terminology (like primary key, queries, reports, etc.)

Lecture 38: String Manipulations (Web Development 13)

How to manipulate strings in JavaScript.
Functions for changing case, finding string lengths, extracting substrings, etc.

Lecture 39: Cyber Crime

Various types of cyber crime.
Mechanisms to reduce the ill-effects of cyber crime.

Social, economic, ethical aspects of computing and the Internet.
Impact on businesses and communications.
Impact on human relationships and work.

Lecture 41: Images & Animation (Web Development 14)

Techniques to include graphics/animations on web pages, including the use of the <IMG> tag.

Lecture 42: The Computing Profession

The roles and responsibilities of various types of professionals
Social ethics

Lecture 43: The Future of Computing

Predictions about the further development and future of computing.

Lecture 44: Programming Methodology (Web Development 15)

Programming Methodologies: Overview of various programming methodologies.
Guidelines for designing and writing good software.
Methods for testing.
Debugging.

Lecture 45: Review & Wrap-Up

Course summary of all lessons taught, as a review format.

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