EECS1520: History of Digital Computing

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Questions and Answers

What was the earliest computing device designed for numerical computation?

Abacus (correct)

Mechanical calculator

Punch card

Slide rule

What term describes a finite set of unambiguous instructions to solve a problem?

Methodology

Algorithm (correct)

Formula

Procedure

Which mechanical device was commonly used in the 1600s for calculations?

Jacquard loom

Punch card

Slide rule (correct)

Abacus

What innovative method did the Jacquard loom utilize to create textile patterns?

Punch cards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a significant early algorithm for mathematical computation?

Sieve of Eratosthenes Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Claude Shannon's publication in 1948?

It established principles for reliably transmitting information electronically. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the ENIAC computer?

It was the first general-purpose electronic digital computer and used decimal internal coding. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a Turing Machine?

To create a universal model for defining computability. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes the von Neumann architecture from earlier computing systems?

Implementation of a stored program concept. Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized as the creator of the first compiler?

Grace Hopper Signup and view all the answers

What problem did vacuum tubes present in early computers like the ENIAC?

They were large, generated a lot of heat, and were prone to failures. Signup and view all the answers

What unique capability did stored program computers have over earlier models?

They could run multiple programs without hardware modifications. Signup and view all the answers

Which computer system did Claude Shannon influence with his application of Boolean logic?

Colossus Signup and view all the answers

What was the predominant coding used by ENIAC when it became operational?

Decimal internal coding Signup and view all the answers

What application did Alan Turing's research primarily contribute to during World War II?

Breaking the German Enigma code. Signup and view all the answers

What was ARPANET primarily established for?

To allow universities to share data Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following advancements is an example of Moore's Law in action?

Faster communication speeds and greater memory storage Signup and view all the answers

In the early 1980s, what served as the foundation for the Internet?

Communication protocols developed for ARPANET Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of the current price/performance ratio mentioned?

Over 3 billion operations per second costs less than $300 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following storage measurements has become more prevalent today?

Terabytes Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant feature of the Radio Shack TRS-80 released in 1978?

First plug and play personal computer Signup and view all the answers

What distinguished the Osborne I as a personal computer?

It was the first portable personal computer. Signup and view all the answers

Which company established a new standard for personal computers with open architecture in 1982?

IBM Signup and view all the answers

What contribution to computing is associated with the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC)?

Ethernet networking technology Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about the Apple Macintosh introduced in 1984?

Second personal computer with a GUI interface. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features did the IBM PC establish in the computing industry?

Open architecture standardization Signup and view all the answers

What type of interface did the Xerox Star introduce in 1981?

Window-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of early personal computers like the Radio Shack TRS-80 and Osborne I?

Limited commercial software availability Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the transistor in electronic devices?

Replace vacuum tubes Signup and view all the answers

Which device was the first to be built using transistors?

Zenith Royal-T hearing aid Signup and view all the answers

What significant advancement did the Integrated Circuit bring to computing?

Enabled multiple transistors on a small surface Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about the IBM System/360 introduced in 1964?

It established a standard for mainframes for a decade. Signup and view all the answers

Which programming pioneer was responsible for coding the Apollo onboard guidance computer?

Margaret Hamilton Signup and view all the answers

How did the advent of minicomputers in the 1960s impact small businesses?

They provided affordable computing solutions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the performance of the Apollo onboard guidance computer?

Less powerful than modern appliances Signup and view all the answers

What was a major distinction of the DEC PDP series of computers?

It offered mainframe performance at a fraction of the cost. Signup and view all the answers

What was the function of punch cards in early computing?

They served as a means for users to program and input data. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following innovations allowed computers to become smaller and cheaper to produce?

Transistor technology Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Digital Data Representation

Early digital data entered into computers used punch cards, indicating data via the presence or absence of holes.

George Boole

Developed Boolean algebra, foundational for digital computing circuitry.

Claude Shannon

Introduced Boolean Logic to digital computing in 1937.
Published "A Mathematical Theory of Communication" in 1948, detailing reliable electronic information transmission.
Recognized as a key figure in the modern information age.

Von Neumann Architecture

Features stored program concept for running different applications.
Comprises Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and I/O systems.
Operates on a fetch-decode-execute cycle.
Contrast with earlier computers like ENIAC, which were hardwired for specific tasks.

Alan Turing

Led efforts to break the German Enigma code during World War II.
Proposed Turing Machine, a model for computability.
Created the Turing Test to evaluate artificial intelligence.

Enigma Machine

A sophisticated code system used by Germany, seen as unbreakable, which Allies prioritized to decode.

ENIAC

First general-purpose electronic digital computer, commissioned for calculating ballistic firing tables.
Utilized a manual programming approach with boards and switches; not based on Von Neumann architecture.
Employed vacuum tubes, which were large and prone to failure.

Evolution of Computers (1951–1970)

1950s saw a trend towards smaller computing devices using advanced vacuum tube circuits.

Grace Hopper

Developed the first compiler out of dissatisfaction with manual machine coding.

Origins of Digital Computers

Abacus, developed over 5000 years ago, recognized as an early computing device.
Algorithms, defined as a set of instructions for problem-solving, named after the mathematician al-Khwārizmī.
Early calculating devices were manual/mechanical, including slide rules.

Jacquard Loom

Utilized punch cards in 1804, influencing later computer programming techniques.

Transistors

Revolutionized computing by replacing vacuum tubes; key advancements in size reduction and efficiency.
Allowed for integrated circuits, drastically lowering costs and space requirements for devices.

IBM System/360 (1964)

Set a standard for mainframes with a compatible family of computers across various price points.

Apollo Space Program

Relied on computing for trajectory calculations and guidance control, with programming led by pioneer Margaret Hamilton.

Minicomputers

Digital Equipment Corporation developed the first minicomputers, fostering smaller business computing and competition against mainframes.

Personal Computers

Radio Shack's TRS-80 was among the first affordable plug-and-play personal computers, popularizing programming and technology access.
IBM PC in 1982 brought open architecture, legitimizing personal computers with Microsoft operating systems.

Innovations at Xerox PARC

Developed essential technologies such as ethernet networking, laser printers, and Object-Oriented Programming.
Introduced workspace concepts that featured a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Moore's Law

Observes the exponential growth in computing power and efficiency with decreasing cost, exemplified by today's capabilities.

ARPANET

Established in 1969, enabled the sharing of data among universities.
Served as a precursor to the modern internet, creating foundational communication protocols in the early 1980s.

Current Trends in Computing

Modern devices operate at billions of operations per second, with extensive memory and storage capacities.
Speeds of communication now measured in megabits to gigabits per second.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of digital data representation and the contributions of George Boole to computing. This quiz covers essential milestones in the evolution of digital computing and Boolean algebra. Test your knowledge on the history that shaped modern technology.