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Questions and Answers
What type of technology was primarily used in first-generation computers?
What type of technology was primarily used in first-generation computers?
Which of these methods was used for data input in first generation computers?
Which of these methods was used for data input in first generation computers?
What was the main programming language used for first-generation computers?
What was the main programming language used for first-generation computers?
Which of the following is a characteristic of first-generation computers?
Which of the following is a characteristic of first-generation computers?
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What was an early use of the abacus?
What was an early use of the abacus?
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Who invented the Pascaline, a mechanical calculator that could perform addition and subtraction?
Who invented the Pascaline, a mechanical calculator that could perform addition and subtraction?
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Which device could perform all four basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division?
Which device could perform all four basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division?
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Up until which major event was the Arithmometer widely used?
Up until which major event was the Arithmometer widely used?
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Who is widely known as the 'father of modern digital computer'?
Who is widely known as the 'father of modern digital computer'?
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What was the primary method of programming the analytical engine?
What was the primary method of programming the analytical engine?
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Which of these computers was the first fully automatic calculating machine?
Which of these computers was the first fully automatic calculating machine?
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What technology was primarily used for internal logic in the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)?
What technology was primarily used for internal logic in the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)?
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Which computer was the first to employ the stored program concept?
Which computer was the first to employ the stored program concept?
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What was the primary limiting factor of ENIAC, despite its speed?
What was the primary limiting factor of ENIAC, despite its speed?
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What was a key characteristic of the Mark I computer that slowed down its calculations?
What was a key characteristic of the Mark I computer that slowed down its calculations?
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What significant role did the central control unit play in the EDVAC?
What significant role did the central control unit play in the EDVAC?
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What was the primary programming language used with the UNIVAC I?
What was the primary programming language used with the UNIVAC I?
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Which of the following was a key development in second-generation computers?
Which of the following was a key development in second-generation computers?
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What major change in programming occurred during the second generation of computers?
What major change in programming occurred during the second generation of computers?
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Which concept, vital to the computer's flexibility and productivity, emerged during the second generation?
Which concept, vital to the computer's flexibility and productivity, emerged during the second generation?
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Which of the following was one of the early supercomputers that utilized transistor technology?
Which of the following was one of the early supercomputers that utilized transistor technology?
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What is a key benefit of using a stored program within a computer's memory?
What is a key benefit of using a stored program within a computer's memory?
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Which technology is most characteristic of third-generation computers?
Which technology is most characteristic of third-generation computers?
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Which language did second-generation computers introduce that was aimed to be easy to understand for programmers?
Which language did second-generation computers introduce that was aimed to be easy to understand for programmers?
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What was a significant advancement in computer capability during the third generation?
What was a significant advancement in computer capability during the third generation?
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What type of material was predominantly used in the manufacturing of integrated circuits in third-generation computers?
What type of material was predominantly used in the manufacturing of integrated circuits in third-generation computers?
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Which of the following is an example of a high-level language that emerged during the second generation?
Which of the following is an example of a high-level language that emerged during the second generation?
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Which of the options below was a key development in external storage for third generation computers?
Which of the options below was a key development in external storage for third generation computers?
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What was a primary focus of development with software during the third generation of computers?
What was a primary focus of development with software during the third generation of computers?
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What is a very significant feature that distinguishes fourth generation computers from third, in terms of integrated circuits?
What is a very significant feature that distinguishes fourth generation computers from third, in terms of integrated circuits?
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Which significant development marked the arrival of fourth generation computers?
Which significant development marked the arrival of fourth generation computers?
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What was the core innovation that allowed microcomputers to be introduced in the fourth generation?
What was the core innovation that allowed microcomputers to be introduced in the fourth generation?
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Which type of computer processes data as a continuous measurement of physical properties?
Which type of computer processes data as a continuous measurement of physical properties?
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What distinguishes digital computers from analog computers in terms of data processing?
What distinguishes digital computers from analog computers in terms of data processing?
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Which of the following best describes the way digital computers represent data?
Which of the following best describes the way digital computers represent data?
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What is a primary characteristic that sets apart general purpose and special purpose digital computers?
What is a primary characteristic that sets apart general purpose and special purpose digital computers?
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Which type of computer is commonly referred to as a Personal Computer (PC)?
Which type of computer is commonly referred to as a Personal Computer (PC)?
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What is a key advantage of notebook and laptop computers over traditional desktop PCs?
What is a key advantage of notebook and laptop computers over traditional desktop PCs?
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Which type of computer is best suited for field data collection?
Which type of computer is best suited for field data collection?
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What is the primary advantage of hybrid computers?
What is the primary advantage of hybrid computers?
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What is the primary function of a mini computer in the context of the provided text?
What is the primary function of a mini computer in the context of the provided text?
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Which type of computer is characterized by its ability to process data at speeds measured in millions of instructions per second?
Which type of computer is characterized by its ability to process data at speeds measured in millions of instructions per second?
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What distinguishes supercomputers from other types of computers?
What distinguishes supercomputers from other types of computers?
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Which of the following best describes the role of sensors in the data processing cycle?
Which of the following best describes the role of sensors in the data processing cycle?
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In what kind of applications might a supercomputer be typically used, according to the text?
In what kind of applications might a supercomputer be typically used, according to the text?
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What is the core difference that makes mini computers more powerful than microcomputers?
What is the core difference that makes mini computers more powerful than microcomputers?
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Which computer type is often used in large organizations and government departments?
Which computer type is often used in large organizations and government departments?
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What process is described as using multiple processors to execute multiple instructions at the same time?
What process is described as using multiple processors to execute multiple instructions at the same time?
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Study Notes
Evolution of Computers
- Computers today are vastly different from earlier models
- Understanding evolution is key to understanding their impact and future
- First generation computers utilized vacuum tubes, punched cards for input, punched cards/paper tape for output, and magnetic tapes/drums for storage
- First generation computers were large, bulky, and generated significant heat, requiring air conditioning
- They used machine language, with each computer needing a unique binary coded program
- The Abacus, developed around 5000 years ago in Asia Minor, used sliding beads for calculations and is still used today
- Early mechanical computers like Blaise Pascal's Pascaline and Colmar’s Arithmometer performed basic calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
First Generation Computers
- Vacuum tube technology
- Punched cards for data input
- Punched cards and paper tape for output
- Machine language for writing programs
- Magnetic tapes and drums for external storage
- Bulky and emitted large amounts of heat, requiring air conditioning
- Large in size and cumbersome to handle
- Limited commercial use
- Manually assembled
- Each computer had a different unique binary coded program (machine language) to tell it how to operate
Early Computers
- Mark I: The first fully automatic, electronic relay computer. Used electromagnetic signals
- Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC): The world’s first general-purpose electronic digital computer, used vacuum tubes for logic, and capacitors for storage
- ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator): The first all-electronic computer. Built with 18,000 vacuum tubes and consumed significant power; its speed was 1000 times faster than Mark I
Second Generation Computers
- Replaced vacuum tube technology with transistors
- Reduced size, improved speed, increased reliability, and lowered power consumption
- Assembly language replaced machine language (making programming easier)
- Development of high-level programming languages
- Developed for scientific and engineering purposes (like atomic studies). Some examples include IBM 1400 and 7000 series; Honeywell 200, and General Electric
- IBM 1401 was widely used in business for financial data processing
Third Generation Computers
- Used Integrated Circuits (ICs) combining many electronic components onto a single chip
- Further reduced size, speed, power consumption
- Developed operating systems, enabling the running of many programs simultaneously
- Increased the use of higher level languages (like Pascal, FORTRAN, COBOL and PL/1), enabling varied applications
- Improved software development, improved usability and speed of computer programs
Fourth Generation Computers
- Utilized Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) placing thousands of components on a single chip
- Development of powerful microprocessors
- Introduction of personal computers (PCs), enabling widespread use
- Growth of networks to connect computers (e.g. internet)
- Introduction of high-level languages, like Fourth Generation Languages
Fifth Generation Computers
- The earliest stages of development, potentially focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like expert systems, voice recognition and other advanced programming
- Aims to create computers that are capable of mimicking human intelligence.
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Description
Explore the fascinating journey of computers from their early mechanical beginnings to the first generation models utilizing vacuum tubes and punched cards. This quiz highlights key innovations and their functions, providing insight into how these developments have shaped modern computing. Test your knowledge on the technological advancements that transformed computers into what they are today.
