Computing History: From Mechanical to Electronics

What was the weight of the ENIAC computer?

30 tons

How often did the processing power of computers double according to Moore's Law?

Every 2 years

What is the short form of 'Binary Digits'?

BIT

What was the cost of building the ENIAC computer?

$487,000 PKR Signup and view all the answers

What was the size of the ENIAC computer?

1800 square feet Signup and view all the answers

Who launched the first PC in 1981?

IBM Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Charles Babbage's machine?

To print results of computations on paper to eliminate transcription errors Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary method of data entry in the machines of Pascal and Leibniz?

Establishing initial gear positions mechanically Signup and view all the answers

What was the main advantage of Charles Babbage's machine over Pascal and Leibniz's machines?

It could print results of computations on paper Signup and view all the answers

In which time period did the quest for more sophisticated computing machines begin?

After the Middle Ages and before the Modern Era Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary component of the Abacus?

Beads strung on rods Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following inventors is NOT associated with the development of computing machines?

Galileo Galilei Signup and view all the answers

How many patterns can be represented using 3 bits?

16 Signup and view all the answers

What is the equivalent of 1 KB in bytes?

1024 Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal number represented by the binary pattern 01101001?

65 Signup and view all the answers

How many bits are required to represent 256 different patterns?

8 Signup and view all the answers

What is the binary representation of the decimal number 27?

11011 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ASCII codes mentioned in the text?

To represent different characters Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary contribution of Herman Hollerith to the field of computing?

Applying the concept of representing information as holes in paper cards to speed up the tabulation process Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the machine developed by George Stibitz in 1940 at Bell Laboratories?

Electromechanical machine Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the machines developed by Howard Aiken and a group of IBM engineers in 1944 at Harvard University?

They made heavy use of electronically controlled mechanical relays Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the obsolescence of machines like the Mark I and the electromechanical machine of George Stibitz?

They were soon replaced by totally electronic computers Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the first electronic computer developed by John Mauchly?

ENIAC Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary advantage of the machines developed in the 1940s over those of the 19th century?

They were more flexible and adaptable to different tasks Signup and view all the answers