Evolution of Computers and Technology - Week 3 Quiz

Key Figures in Computing History

• Charles Babbage is recognized as the 'Father of the Computer' for his conceptual design of the Analytical Engine.
• Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical digital calculator in 1642, known as the Pascaline.
• John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley invented the transistor in 1947, revolutionizing electronic circuits.

Foundations of Computing

• The development of the vacuum tube laid the groundwork for advances in electronic digital computers, marking a significant progression from mechanical devices.
• The Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC), created by Maurice Wilkes in 1949, was the first stored-program computer.

Generations and Functions of Computers

• UNIVAC I, one of the earliest commercial computers, was built during the first generation of computers, which utilized vacuum tubes.
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) serves as the brain of a computer system, executing instructions and managing the processing of data.

Computer Terminology and Components

• The term 'computer' originates from the Latin word "computare," which means "to calculate" or "to count."
• Random Access Memory (RAM) temporarily stores data that the CPU is actively using, facilitating quick access and processing.
• OUTPUT DEVICES, like printers and monitors, are mainly responsible for conveying information processed by the computer to users.
• INPUT DEVICES, such as keyboards and mice, enable users to send data and commands to the computer system.
• Storage Units, including hard drives and solid-state drives, primarily serve as long-term data storage within a computer system.