Computing History 2020

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Questions and Answers

What was the original meaning of the term 'computer'?

  • A software program for data processing
  • A job role for individuals performing calculations (correct)
  • An electronic machine for computing
  • A mechanical device for calculations

Which mathematician is credited with the invention of logarithms?

  • Charles Babbage
  • John Napier (correct)
  • Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz
  • Blaise Pascal

What major function could Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz's machine, the Stepped Reckoner, perform?

  • Calculating logarithms
  • Performing advanced mathematical proofs
  • Only adding and subtracting
  • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing (correct)

Which invention is associated with Joseph-Marie Jacquard?

<p>Punched cards for controlling looms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the fundamental contribution of Charles Babbage to computer science?

<p>He designed the blueprint for modern digital computers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized for assisting Charles Babbage in his computational designs?

<p>Lady Augusta Ada (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant limitation of the Difference Engine designed by Charles Babbage?

<p>It was not fully constructed (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Blaise Pascal invent the first calculator?

<p>1645 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the first product that used the integrated circuit invented by Jack Kilby?

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

Who is recognized as the first computer programmer?

<p>Ada Lovelace (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What programming language did Bill Gates develop while at Harvard University?

<p>BASIC (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system did Microsoft create for IBM, which greatly contributed to Bill Gates' fortune?

<p>MS-DOS (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Alan Turing's paper 'On Computable Numbers'?

<p>It demonstrated that machines could solve any problem using binary. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant innovations of the Apple II that Steve Jobs was involved with?

<p>Graphical User Interface (GUI) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which computer did Howard Aiken build with support from IBM?

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

What major product did Apple release in 2001 that changed media entertainment?

<p>iPod (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term did Grace Murray Hopper invent during her work on computers?

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

What was the original name of the search engine developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin?

<p>BackRub (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What nationality was John Vincent Atanasoff, the inventor of the ABC?

<p>American (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the ASCC computer?

<p>Gunnery and ballistics calculations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What word inspired the name 'Google' that represents its mission to organize information?

<p>Googol (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age did Steve Jobs become a millionaire due to the success of Apple?

<p>25 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does COBOL stand for, as invented by Grace Hopper?

<p>Common Business-Oriented Language (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What feature characterized the computer built by Howard Aiken?

<p>It had mechanical relays. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant acquisition did Google make in 2006?

<p>YouTube (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the original name of Google before it was rebranded?

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

Which of the following technologies is NOT associated with Google?

<p>Windows XP (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What year did Google acquire Android?

<p>2005 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year was Google estimated to be worth $927 billion?

<p>2019 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following products was released by Apple in 2007?

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

What is one of the basic goals of AI research mentioned?

<p>To create autonomous vehicles (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event occurred first according to the timeline provided?

<p>Bill Gates relinquishes his title as head of Microsoft (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

History of Computing

  • The term "computer" initially referred to a job role, specifically individuals who performed calculations manually.
  • Early calculations were essential for mathematical tables, bomb trajectories, and rocketry.
  • John Napier created logarithms to simplify complex calculations using lookup tables.
  • Blaise Pascal invented the first calculator in 1645, capable of addition and subtraction via rotating dials, primarily for tax collection.
  • Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz developed the "Stepped Reckoner" in 1674, which could add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
  • Joseph-Marie Jacquard introduced punched cards for loom control in 1804, influencing future data input designs in computing.
  • Charles Babbage designed the "Difference Engine" and "Analytical Engine" in the early 19th century, laying the groundwork for modern computers; however, the Difference Engine was never completed.
  • Ada Lovelace, Babbage's collaborator, is recognized as the first computer programmer for documenting his work and writing programs for his machines.
  • Alan Turing's 1936 paper showed that a machine could solve any problem through binary processing, forming a foundation for computer science.
  • John Vincent Atanasoff developed the ABC, the first digital computer, using 1s and 0s to represent data.
  • Howard Aiken built the ASCC in 1944 with IBM's support; it weighed 35 tons and used mechanical relays for computations.
  • Grace Hopper, working with Aiken, simplified programming by creating COBOL, the first programming language that utilized English syntax.
  • Hopper also coined the term "debugging" after removing a moth from a computer causing an issue.
  • Jack Kilby invented the integrated circuit in 1959, resulting in more compact and reliable computers.
  • Bill Gates began programming at age 13, leading to the creation of Microsoft after dropping out of Harvard, capitalizing on the emerging personal computer market with MS-DOS.
  • Steve Jobs co-founded Apple, releasing the Apple I in 1976 and revolutionizing personal computing with the Apple II and GUI, becoming a millionaire by age 25.
  • The iPod launch in 2001 transformed digital music consumption, followed by the iPhone and iPad introductions.
  • Larry Page and Sergey Brin developed Google from a search engine originally named "BackRub," aiming to organize vast amounts of online information.
  • Google expanded rapidly, acquiring companies like YouTube and Android, and was valued at $927 billion by 2019.

Key Points in Modern Computing History

  • 1984: Apple introduces the Macintosh computer.
  • 1990: Microsoft launches Windows 3.0.
  • 2001: Microsoft releases Windows XP; Wikipedia is founded.
  • 2005: Google acquires Android and purchases YouTube.
  • 2007: Apple introduces the iPhone; Microsoft releases Windows Vista and Office 2007.
  • 2010: Apple introduces the iPad.

Basics of Artificial Intelligence

  • AI technology is integrated into everyday applications like navigation, gaming, and product recommendations based on user behavior.
  • AI research focuses on enhancing machine learning capabilities and real-world applications.

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