Computer Science Part 1 Quiz

Study Notes

A computer is an electronic machine that performs mathematical and non-mathematical operations.
Computer operations include:
- Input: Entering data into the computer.
- Processing: Performing operations on the data.
- Output: Presenting the results.
- Storage: Saving data, programs, or output for future use.
Advantages of computers: Speed, Reliability, Consistency, Storage, Communications.
Disadvantages of computers: Violation of Privacy, Impact on the Labor Force, Health Risks, Impact on the Environment.

First Generation (1950s): Computers used vacuum tubes.
- ENIAC was developed during World War II.
- UNIVAC was released in 1951.
Second Generation (Transistor): Used transistors, small semiconductor devices.
- Programming languages like FORTRAN and COBOL were developed.
- Used by military, government, and big business.
Third Generation (Integrated Circuits): Used integrated circuits (ICs).
- Keyboards and monitors were introduced for input/output.
- Magnetic disks were common for storage.
- Became cheap, fast and reliable, used by small businesses.
Fourth Generation (Microprocessor): Featured microprocessors.
- Input: Keyboard and mouse.
- Output: Monitor and printer.
- Storage: Magnetic and optical disks.
- Introduced computer networks, wireless technologies and the internet.
Fifth Generation (Artificial Intelligence): Focuses on artificial intelligence.
- Computers can learn, think, and reason using voice recognition.
- Optical computers: processing data using light instead of electrons.

Hardware: The physical parts of a computer, internal (system unit) or external.
Software: Programs or instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do.
Computer Hardware:
- Input: Mouse, keyboard, microphone.
- Output: Monitor, printer.
- Storage: Hard drive, flash memory, USB.
- Processing: CPU (Central Processing Unit)
  - CPU Components:
    - ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
    - Memory (Register)
    - Control Unit
- Storage Unit: Stores data and information.
  - Secondary Storage: Hard drive, USB, CD, DVD.
  - Primary Storage: RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory).

Personal Computers (PCs): Designed for fitting on or under a desk or table.
Mobile Computers:
- Notebook Computers (laptops): Portable and smaller.
- Tablet PCs: Resemble a slate, allow writing on the screen.
Mobile Devices:
- Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): Organizer functions.
- Smartphones: Internet-enabled phones with PDA capabilities.

Mainframe: Very powerful and expensive computers supporting thousands of computers.
Supercomputer: Fastest and most powerful computers used for complex mathematical calculations.