17 Questions
Which generation of computers utilized transistors as the interior sections?
Second-generation
Which generation of computers introduced the integrated circuit (IC) to replace transistors?
Third-generation
In which generation of computers were VLSI circuits used to build computers?
Fourth-generation
Which generation of computers was known for remote processing, time-sharing, and multiprogramming operating systems?
Third-generation
Which generation of computers was the Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) a part of?
First-generation
What technology is associated with the fourth-generation computers?
Microprocessor technology
How many electronic components are present in microprocessor chips in the fifth generation of computers?
10 million
Which computer type is known for being dense, reliable, and inexpensive in the fourth generation?
Personal computer
Which generation of computers involves ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI) technology?
Fifth generation
What technology is associated with computer intelligence in the fifth-generation computers?
AI technology
Which hardware component of a computer can be seen and touched?
Interrelated electronic devices
What distinguishes a workstation from a personal computer?
More powerful microprocessors and a high-quality monitor
How many users can a mainframe typically support simultaneously?
Hundreds or thousands
What defines a minicomputer?
Capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users
What characterizes a supercomputer?
Extremely fast with millions of instructions per second
In terms of CPU cores, how does the Pleiades supercomputer compare to a regular desktop computer with an Intel Core i3 processor?
245,536 CPU cores vs. 2 cores for the Intel Core i3
What is the main purpose of desktop computers?
Designed to be placed on a desk and used by individuals
Study Notes
Generations of Computers
- The second generation of computers utilized transistors as the interior sections.
- The third generation of computers introduced the integrated circuit (IC) to replace transistors.
- The fourth generation of computers used microprocessors, which are a type of Large-Scale Integration (LSI) circuits.
- The fifth generation of computers used Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) circuits to build computers.
Characteristics of Computer Generations
- The first generation of computers included the Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC).
- The fourth generation of computers was known for remote processing, time-sharing, and multiprogramming operating systems, and used microprocessors as the core technology.
- The fifth generation of computers is associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Computer Types
- Microprocessor chips in the fifth generation of computers have hundreds of thousands of electronic components.
- The fourth generation of computers introduced the microprocessor, which led to the development of personal computers that are dense, reliable, and inexpensive.
- The fifth generation of computers involves ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI) technology.
- A workstation is distinguished from a personal computer by its high-performance capabilities, large storage capacity, and specialized hardware and software.
Computer Categories
- A mainframe can typically support hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
- A minicomputer is a mid-range computer that is smaller and less powerful than a mainframe but more powerful than a personal computer.
- A supercomputer is characterized by its extremely high processing power and speed, such as the Pleiades supercomputer, which has thousands of CPU cores compared to a regular desktop computer with an Intel Core i3 processor.
- The main purpose of desktop computers is to provide a personal, single-user computing environment.
Test your knowledge about the Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC), considered the first-generation computer built by Mauchly from the University of Pennsylvania and financed by the United States Army. Learn about its modular design, limited storage and arithmetic capabilities.
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