Evolution of Computing Devices

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Questions and Answers

Who introduced the concept of the stored program computer?

Herman Hollerith

John Von Neumann (correct)

Richard Feynman

Blaize Pascal

What type of calculator was invented by Blaize Pascal?

Graphing calculator

Digital calculator

Electronic calculator

Mechanical calculator (correct)

What was the primary function of Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine?

Perform calculations

Store large amounts of data

Summarise data from punched cards (correct)

Execute programs directly

What do Integrated Circuits (ICs) significantly reduce in computers?

Size of the computer Signup and view all the answers

What allows the EDVAC and ENIAC computers to store programs together with data?

Stored program architecture Signup and view all the answers

What was a key development towards programming, as designed by Herman Hollerith?

The tabulating machine Signup and view all the answers

Which feature does an Integrated Circuit provide in computing devices?

Digital circuit integration in a compact form Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding EDVAC and ENIAC?

They utilized stored program architecture to operate. Signup and view all the answers

What does Moore's Law predict regarding the number of transistors on a chip?

The number of transistors will double every two years. Signup and view all the answers

What significant advancement allowed for the fabrication of high-density components on a single IC?

Super Large Scale Integration (SLSI) Signup and view all the answers

Which computer was introduced by IBM specifically for home users in 1981?

IBM Personal Computer Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a transistor in integrated circuits?

Transistors amplify electronic signals and switch them. Signup and view all the answers

In which decade did the processing power of computers start integrating around 3 million components on a chip?

1980s Signup and view all the answers

What technology was used to create the first personal computers in the early 1980s?

Integrated Circuit (IC) technology Signup and view all the answers

Which microprocessor was released after the Pentium III?

Pentium IV Signup and view all the answers

What impact did technology advancements have on the cost of transistors according to Moore's Law?

Costs would decrease by half every two years. Signup and view all the answers

What essential function does the Central Processing Unit (CPU) serve in the Von Neumann architecture?

Processing arithmetic and logical instructions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of Large Scale Integration (LSI) in computing?

Creation of microprocessors by combining numerous electronic circuits Signup and view all the answers

What is Moore's Law primarily concerned with?

The exponential growth of transistors on microchips Signup and view all the answers

Which device in the Von Neumann architecture is responsible for receiving and sending data?

Input/Output devices Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) in terms of its architecture?

It was the first binary programmable computer based on Von Neumann architecture. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of computer architecture, which component is primarily responsible for data storage?

Memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options accurately describes communication channels in computing?

They facilitate both data sending and receiving. Signup and view all the answers

What advancement did microprocessors bring to computing technology?

They enabled the integration of complete CPUs on a single chip. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Computing Devices

Blaize Pascal invented the Pascaline in 1642, a mechanical calculator for performing addition and subtraction directly.
The Pascaline could also perform multiplication and division through repeated operations.
Herman Hollerith designed the first tabulating machine for data summarization using punched cards, marking a step towards programmable machines.

Introduction of Stored Program Concept

John Von Neumann introduced the stored program computer concept, enabling data and programs to be stored in memory.
The EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) and ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) were developed based on this architecture.
ENIAC was the first binary programmable computer utilizing Von Neumann architecture.

Advancements in Integrated Circuits

Integrated Circuits (ICs) emerged, allowing entire electronic circuits to reside on a small silicon chip.
The development of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) in the 1980s integrated approximately 3 million components on single chips.
Further advancements led to Super Large Scale Integration (SLSI), accommodating around 10^6 components on one IC.

Moore's Law

Moore's Law, articulated by Intel’s co-founder Gordon Moore in 1965, predicted that the number of transistors on a microchip would double every two years while costs would halve.
This exponential growth is exemplified by the increase in the number of transistors in microprocessor generations, from 4004 to Core i7 processes.

Personal Computing Revolution

IBM introduced its first personal computer (PC) for home users in 1981.
Apple launched the Macintosh in 1984, further expanding the personal computer market.

Von Neumann Architecture Components

The Von Neumann architecture includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for arithmetic and logical processing, memory for data and program storage, input/output devices, and communication channels.
The architecture enables efficient data processing and is foundational for modern computer systems.

Microprocessor Development

During the 1970s, Large Scale Integration (LSI) technology achieved integration of an entire CPU onto a single microprocessor chip.
Moore's Law maintained relevance as microchips evolved, facilitating greater transistor density and processing capabilities.

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Description

This quiz explores the significant milestones in the evolution of computing devices, highlighting inventions such as the Pascaline and early computers like EDVAC and ENIAC. Learn about John Von Neumann's introduction of the stored program concept, which fundamentally changed computing technology.