Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the earliest form of computers and their function?
What significant change occurred in the definition of 'computer' around the mid-20th century?
How did the manual calculations by early humans influence the development of computers?
What role did the training of early human computers play in the evolution of computing?
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In what way did the first recorded use of the term 'computer' impact society?
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Which microprocessor was introduced in 1981 as a significant advancement in personal computing technology?
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What was a key feature of the first successful Apple Macintosh computer released in 1984?
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What advancement did the Intel 486 achieve in 1989?
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Which event is recognized as the beginning of the personal computer era in 1978?
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Who conceptualized Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), which laid the foundation for web development?
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Study Notes
Fourth Generation: Microprocessor
- 1976: Cray developed the Cray-I supercomputer, a significant advancement in computing power.
- 1976: Apple Computer, Inc. founded by Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak, pioneering the personal computing revolution.
- 1977: Jobs and Wozniak created the first Apple II microcomputer, enhancing accessibility to personal computing.
- 1978: The personal computer (PC) era commenced, leading to diverse desktop computer designs by various companies.
- 1981: Osborne 1 became the first portable desktop computer, revolutionizing the form factor.
- 1981: IBM PC was introduced with a 16-bit microprocessor, marking IBM's entry into the personal computing market.
- 1984: Apple launched the Macintosh, the first successful mouse-driven computer featuring a graphical user interface (GUI).
- 1984: IBM released the PC/AT with the 80286 chip—three times faster than earlier PCs, signifying advancements in processing power.
- 1989: Intel 486 emerged as the first microprocessor with over one million transistors, demonstrating significant integration of technology.
- HTML proposed by Tim Berners-Lee from CERN, laying the groundwork for web development.
Evolution of Computers
- The evolution of computers spans centuries, transitioning from manual calculations to modern automated technology.
- Modern powerful devices are integral in various domains, including homes, organizations, and governments.
Basic Computing Periods
- Early calculations were performed by humans employed as computers, focusing primarily on mathematical computations.
- The term "computer" was first recorded in 1613, referring to individuals performing calculations.
Second Generation: Transistors
- 1953: COBOL was developed by Grace Hopper, recognized as the "First Lady of Software," facilitating business computing.
- 1954: FORTRAN introduced by John Backus and his IBM team, becoming a key programming language in scientific computing.
- 1958: Jack St.Clair Kilby and Robert Noyce created the first integrated circuit, greatly enhancing computer efficiency.
Third Generation: Integrated Circuits (IC)
- 1960s: Gene Amdahl designed the IBM System/360, the first general-purpose digital computer series using integrated circuits.
- 1965: BASIC programming language was developed by Dr. Thomas Kurtz and Dr. John Kemeny, promoting programming accessibility.
- 1969: The inception of ARPAnet, a military computer network, marks the start of the Internet's evolution.
- 1969: UNIX operating system developed at Bell Labs by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others, influencing modern operating systems.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the advancements in fourth-generation microprocessors, including notable developments such as the Cray-I supercomputer and the founding of Apple Computer, Inc. Review the key events and figures that shaped this era in computing.
