Computer System Overview Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What defines an open system in the context of computing?

  • It has a hierarchical structure without any interactions.
  • It can receive and produce data, interacting with its environment. (correct)
  • It is isolated from its environment with no inputs or outputs.
  • It operates with fixed components that cannot be modified.

    • Which characteristic describes the speed of a computer?

  • It is always slower than manual calculations.
  • It was designed to perform calculations at high speeds. (correct)
  • It can only perform calculations on small data volumes.
  • It has limited capabilities in mathematical operations.

    • What is indicated by the term 'accuracy' in the context of computer operations?

  • Input errors predominantly lead to inaccurate output.
  • High accuracy is achieved through advanced error-detecting techniques. (correct)
  • Computers occasionally produce false results due to inherent errors.
  • The consistency of results can vary with different machines.

    • Which of the following best describes the storage capability of a computer?

    <p>It has the ability to permanently store large amounts of various types of data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a computing context, what is the purpose of the data processing concept represented as 'input - process - output'?

    <p>Data is transformed through various stages to generate usable information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a closed system?

    <p>It functions independently without interaction from its environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about errors in computer systems is accurate?

    <p>Increased efficiency in error-detecting techniques reduces false results.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of the system components in a computer?

    <p>They work together to achieve specific predetermined goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant change introduced with the development of computers in the 1980s?

    <p>Introduction of visual elements like icons and windows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was chiefly responsible for the design and construction of the ENIAC?

    <p>J. Presper Eckert</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary technology was used in the first generation of computers?

    <p>Vacuum tubes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of computer is designed to manage daily operations for large enterprises?

    <p>Mainframe Computers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one method of input used in the first generation of computers?

    <p>Punch cards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mathematician is recognized as a crucial figure in the history of computing?

    <p>John von Neumann</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the processing power of Super Computers?

    <p>They process data and perform the best overall.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following generations of computers primarily utilized machine language?

    <p>First Generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is recognized as the 'Father of the Computer'?

    <p>Charles Babbage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What invention is Joseph Marie Jacquard best known for?

    <p>Jacquard Loom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which computer was the first to be designed with the concept of storing programs in memory?

    <p>EDVAC</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant contribution did Augusta Ada Byron make to computer science?

    <p>Working on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following mathematicians invented the Pascaline?

    <p>Blaise Pascal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of ENIAC in computing history?

    <p>It was among the earliest electronic computers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which individual is credited with the invention of the Stepped Reckoner?

    <p>Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which invention is Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar best known for?

    <p>Arithmometer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the origination step in the data processing cycle refer to?

    <p>The initial capture of data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary limitation of a computer?

    <p>Dependence on prepared instructions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the output preparation phase?

    <p>It generates data that has been processed for user interaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What capability allows computers to perform automatic operations and detect errors?

    <p>Error control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way do computers outperform humans in tasks?

    <p>They do not suffer from tiredness or lack of concentration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of operations can computers perform aside from mathematical calculations?

    <p>Logical operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the processing step entail in the data processing cycle?

    <p>Converting data into meaningful information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a capability of a computer?

    <p>Making independent decisions based on emotions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary function of the tally stick?

    <p>To record numbers and quantities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who invented the stepped reckoner?

    <p>Gotfried Wilhelm Leibniz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which device was developed primarily for automatic weaving?

    <p>Jacquard Loom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ancient tool is primarily used for arithmetic operations?

    <p>Abacus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the first commercially successful mechanical calculator?

    <p>Arithmometer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Napier's Bone simplify for calculations?

    <p>Multiplication and division</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When was the slide rule developed?

    <p>1622</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a punch card?

    <p>A method of storing and processing information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Computer System Overview

    • An electronic data processing machine capable of mathematical and logical operations, processing large volumes of data rapidly.
    • A system consists of organized, interdependent components that interact to achieve predetermined goals.

    Characteristics of a Computer

    • Speed: Initially invented as a high-speed calculator; can add two 18-digit numbers in 300 to 400 nanoseconds.
    • Accuracy: Consistently high accuracy, although errors can occur due to machinery; advanced error detection minimizes false results.
    • Storage: Can store large amounts of data permanently, including text, graphics, audio, and video files. Storage capacity is increasing rapidly.

    Types of Systems

    • Closed System: No input or output; isolated from its environment.
    • Open System: Has inputs and outputs, interacting with the environment.

    Data Processing Cycle

    • Consists of origination, input preparation, processing, output preparation, and storage.
    • Represents the flow of data from recording to usable information.

    Evolution of Computers

    • Tally Stick: Used for recording quantities and messages (40,000 - 10,000 years).
    • Abacus: Ancient calculating tool (2700-2300 BC) from various cultures.
    • Stepped Reckoner (1672): Mechanical calculator by Leibniz, capable of basic arithmetic.
    • Jacquard Loom (1804): Introduced punched cards for automatic weaving.
    • Napier's Bones (1617): A device for simplifying multiplication and division.
    • Slide Rule (1622): Mechanical analog computer for complex calculations.
    • Arithmometer (1850-1851): First commercially successful mechanical calculator by Charles de Colmar.
    • UNIVAC 1: The first commercial computer in the U.S., designed by Eckert and Mauchly.
    • EDVAC (1952): One of the earliest electronic computers, the first stored program computer developed by von Neumann.

    Key Figures in Computer Science

    • Charles Babbage: Often referred to as the "Father of the Computer," known for the Analytical Engine.
    • Augusta Ada Byron: Recognized as a pioneer in computer science for her work with Babbage.
    • John von Neumann: Essential figure in computing, known for the architecture that underlies most computers today.

    Generations of Computers by Size

    • First Generation (mid-1940s to late 1950s): Vacuum tubes and punch cards for input.
    • Supercomputers: High performance for research.
    • Mainframe Computers: Used by large enterprises for data management.

    Computer Capabilities

    • Ability to perform logic operations and complex calculations.
    • Capable of accurate data storage and retrieval.
    • Performs automatic operations and error detection.

    Limitations of Computers

    • Dependence on programmed instructions; they do only what they are programmed to do.

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    Related Documents

    INTRO TO COMPUTING.pdf

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the characteristics and types of computer systems. This quiz covers essential concepts such as speed, accuracy, storage, and the data processing cycle. Ideal for students studying computer systems and technology.

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