Computer Systems Generations Quiz

Computer Systems

•  Computers have evolved through five generations, each marked by significant technological advancements.
• First generation (1940-1956): Used vacuum tubes, slow processing speed, limited memory, bulky, costly, and unreliable.
• Second generation (1956-1963): Replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, faster, more reliable, smaller, and cheaper. Used punched cards, magnetic disks, and magnetic tapes. High-level languages like FORTRAN and COBOL emerged.
• Third generation (1963-1971): Integrated circuits (ICs) led to smaller, faster, more reliable, and cost-effective computers.
• Fourth generation (1971-Present): Large-scale integration (LSI) and very large-scale integration (VLSI) led to the microprocessor, a chip capable of handling all processing tasks within a computer, impacting size, speed, reliability, and affordability. Uses exceptional speed, large storage capacity, and advanced input/output devices.
• Fifth generation (Present and Future): Focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, aiming for machines that can understand natural languages and have thinking power. It incorporates Expert Systems (ES) and intuitive user interfaces.
• Computers use various components, such as input devices (keyboard, mouse, microphone), output devices (monitor, printer), storage devices (hard disk, USB drives), and the CPU (Central Processing Unit).
• The CPU is the main electronic circuit that executes instructions.
• The CPU has a Control Unit (CU) and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).
• Buses are the pathways for data transfer between different components of a computer.
• Main memory (RAM) stores data and programs that are currently being used.
• ROM (read-only memory) stores instructions needed at startup.
• Cache is a small, fast memory that stores frequently used data.
• A motherboard is the main circuit board inside the system unit.

Software Engineering

• A systematic approach to developing, operating, and maintaining software systems. This involves methodologies, tools, and processes to ensure software quality and reliability.
• Types of software engineering include application software engineering (for specific applications like web apps), system software (operating systems, compilers), embedded software engineering (for devices), enterprise software engineering (for businesses), and game development.
• Hardware/software types include Digital Hardware Engineering (digital circuits), Integrated Circuit (IC) Design (such as processors and GPUs), Computer Architecture (structure and organization), and Embedded Design (controllers, sensors).

Data Communication

• The process of exchanging data or information between two or more devices.
• Basic components of data communication include sender, message, medium, protocol and receiver.
• Methods of data transmission include simplex (one direction), half-duplex (two-way but one at a time), and full-duplex (two-way simultaneously).
• Protocols such as TCP/IP define the rules for data communication across networks.
• Network topologies (ways connecting computers) like bus, star, ring, and mesh have different characteristics and advantages.
• Communication devices like hubs, switches, routers, and gateways play key roles.

Von Neumann Architecture

• A fundamental computer architecture where instructions and data are stored in the same memory space.
• Components include CPU (Control Unit, ALU, and Registers), Memory, and Input/Output (I/O) units.
• Data and instructions are transferred through buses.

Types of Computer Network

• Examples of network architectures include Client/Server, and Peer to Peer.
• Types include LAN (local area network, typically in buildings), WAN (wide area network, spanning larger areas), MAN (Metropolitan area network, spanning cities).
• Key network components include routers and gateways.

Computer Memory Hierarchy

• Different types of memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, Cache, Flash memory).
• Characteristics of different memory types (e.g., volatile versus non-volatile memory).