Basic Computing Concepts Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What significant concept did the Von Neumann machine introduce?

  • Binary coding system
  • Stored program concept (correct)
  • Mechanical computation
  • Programmed input/output systems

What contribution did J.V. Atanasoff make to the field of computing?

  • Invented the transistor
  • Built one of the first all-electronic digital computers (correct)
  • Created the concept of the graphical user interface
  • Developed the first programming language

Which of the following best describes the purpose of Hollerith's machine?

  • To automate the sorting of data for census processing (correct)
  • To facilitate high-speed internet connections
  • To perform complex mathematical calculations
  • To develop the first video display unit

What was a key feature of the Von Neumann architecture?

<p>Integration of storage and processing in one unit (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the paper presented by Von Neumann and his colleagues?

<p>Logical design of electronic computing instruments (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the applications of Hollerith's machine in 1889?

<p>Data management for Army Medical statistics (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Von Neumann's machine introduced a concept within the programming framework. What does it imply?

<p>Programs are stored in computer memory. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately reflects the contribution of John Von Neumann to computing?

<p>Development of high-speed computing machines (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable feature of Atanasoff's machine developed with Clifford Berry?

<p>It was the first to store data as a charge on a capacitor. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the Mark I computer?

<p>It was built in partnership between Harvard and IBM. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contribution is Grace Hopper known for regarding programming languages?

<p>She created the first high-level programming language. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant term did Grace Hopper coin related to programming?

<p>Debugging (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of Atanasoff's computer design?

<p>It could only solve one type of mathematical problem. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of Bill Gates in the technology industry?

<p>He co-founded and led Microsoft. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about the Mark I is correct?

<p>It incorporated a vast amount of wiring and mechanical components. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Grace Hopper's significant achievements beyond programming?

<p>She was active in the Navy Reserves until age 79. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of Charles Babbage's analytic engine?

<p>To build a program-controlled, mechanical, digital computer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contributions is attributed to Ada Byron?

<p>Recognizing the importance of looping and inventing subroutines (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What led Herman Hollerith to develop the Punch Card Machine?

<p>His work at the Census Department in the USA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant limitation of Babbage’s analytic engine design?

<p>The unavailability of suitable technological resources (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which modern company traces its roots back to Herman Hollerith’s enterprise?

<p>International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of computer programming is attributed to Ada Lovelace?

<p>The introduction of algorithm-based programming (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method did Charles Babbage plan to use for programming his analytic engine?

<p>Jacquard cards for input (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of Babbage's design features on modern computers?

<p>They had a significant influence on contemporary computer design (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Hollerith's machine

An electromechanical tabulating machine used for processing data, particularly the 1890 US Census. It used punched cards to represent data and a system of counters to perform calculations.

Punched cards

Cards with holes punched in specific locations to represent data in Hollerith's machine and other early systems.

Von Neumann machine

A theoretical general-purpose electronic computer with stored-program architecture, influencing modern computer design. It has distinct units for storage, control, arithmetic, and input/output.

Stored-program concept

The idea that computer instructions are stored in the same memory as data, allowing the computer to execute different sets of instructions quickly and efficiently.

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J.V. Atanasoff

An early computer pioneer who, in 1937, worked on building an all-electronic digital computer.

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General purpose computer

A computer that can execute many different types of tasks, not just a fixed set of calculations.

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Atanasoff-Berry Computer

The first electronic digital computer, using capacitors to store data and binary arithmetic, built by Atanasoff and Berry in 1941.

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Mark I

A large-scale, electromechanical computer built as a Harvard-IBM partnership in 1944. It was the first programmable digital computer in the U.S.

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Programmable digital computer

A computer that can execute different sets of instructions. Not limited to a fixed set of tasks.

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Grace Hopper

A pioneer computer programmer. Found the first computer "bug" and coined the term "debugging." Also invented "Flow-matic," the first high-level language, which preceded COBOL.

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High-level language

A programming language designed for human readability, not machine-level binary instructions.

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Compiler

A program that translates high-level language instructions into machine-level instructions the computer understands.

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Babbage's Analytic Engine

A mechanical, digital computer designed by Charles Babbage to be program-controlled.

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Ada Lovelace

First computer programmer. Developed programs for Babbage's unbuilt machine.

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Hollerith's Punch Card Machine

A machine that used punched cards to assist in tabulating data, particularly in the census.

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International Business Machines (IBM)

A company created from the merging of earlier companies, including one created by Herman Hollerith.

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Charles Babbage

English inventor considered by some as a “father” of the modern computer, he designed the Analytic Engine.

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Jacquard Cards

Cards used to program Babbage's Analytical Engine

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Computer Programmer

One who designs the set of instructions to run a task.

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Study Notes

Basic Computing Concepts

  • A computer is an electronic device that takes input, processes it based on instructions, and outputs information.
  • Input-Process-Output (IPO) system.

Data Types

  • Data : Raw facts (e.g., 55, Malik).
  • Types: Numeric (0-9), Alphabetic (letters), Alphanumeric (numbers, letters, special characters).

Information

  • Data transformed into meaningful form.
  • Transformation process: arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), logical comparison, character manipulation.
  • Logical comparison: evaluating data relationships (greater than, equal to, less than).
  • Output: reports (printed or displayed).

History of Computing

  • Early counting: fingers, sticks, pebbles, ground marks.
  • Abacus: early device for counting (still used today).
  • Digital instrument using beads, sliding on wires.
  • Divided into zones (upper, lower), using beads to represent values.

Blaise Pascal

  • Scientist and philosopher.
  • Invented Pascaline (mechanical calculator) in 1640s.
  • Machine for calculating taxes.
  • Small box with dials to represent digits, linked to carry-over mechanism for addition/subtraction.

Joseph Marie Jacquard

  • Invented a power loom using punched cards for automated weaving patterns.
  • Punched cards: descendants still used to store information.

Charles Babbage

  • Designed the difference engine and an analytical engine.
  • Wanted a programmable machine incorporating complete arithmetic units, store, input, and output.
  • Ideas foreshadowed modern computers.
  • Unable to complete devices due to technology limitations.
  • Invented modern postal system, cow catchers, the ophthalmoscope.

Augusta Ada Byron

  • Poet's daughter.
  • Early programmer, wrote "Notes" detailing instructions for Babbage's Analytical Engine.
  • First computer programmer.
  • Developed the concept of subroutines/loops.

Herman Hollerith

  • Developed punched-card tabulating machines to process the census.
  • His company merged with other companies to become IBM.
  • Designed punch card machines using holes, tabulators, counters, sorting boxes.
  • The processing speed of the 1890 census was faster.
  • Employed his machine across various other countries.

John Von Neumann

  • Mathematician.
  • Developed the concept of stored-program computer where instructions and data are stored in the computer's memory; this facilitated operation speed and made computers more versatile.

Howard Aiken

  • Harvard Mark I computer: first programmable electronic computer in the US.
  • Used relays, switches, and mechanical components rather than electronic ones.
  • Developed at Harvard and IBM.

Grace Hopper

  • Found the first "computer bug" (dead moth).
  • Created first high-level language, "Flow-Matic".
  • Compiler created for translating high-level language into machine code, making it more accessible to people who don't understand code.

Bill Gates

  • Co-founded Microsoft and developed MS-DOS.
  • The development was prompted by the adoption of Intel microprocessors in personal computers.

Philip Emeagwali

  • Invented a supercomputer that processed data very rapidly, which was used to help determine the recovery rate of oils.
  • Used 65,000 separate computer processors, which was revolutionary for that time; it made the supercomputer possible at the time.

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