History of Computers: First Generation
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of workstations?

  • They are not suitable for commercial tasks.
  • They are less powerful than personal computers.
  • They have limited storage capacity compared to PCs.
  • They are difficult to transport due to their size. (correct)

    • What is a primary characteristic of a workstation?

  • Limited display size.
  • Inability to upgrade hardware components.
  • Lightweight and portable design.
  • Designed to perform professional or commercial work. (correct)

    • What is a major advantage of personal computers (PCs)?

  • They have a high processing power.
  • They can be easily customized. (correct)
  • They require extensive maintenance.
  • They are designed for single-user professional work.

    • Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of the specialized computers mentioned?

    <p>They can be easily transported. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the key features of workstations compared to personal computers?

    <p>They typically have more memory and multiple processors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a function of a PC?

    <p>Used primarily for personal tasks such as movie watching. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes a disadvantage of the specialized computers mentioned?

    <p>They have fixed hardware components that cannot be upgraded. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might someone choose a workstation over a personal computer?

    <p>For better handling of high-graphic applications. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in converting a decimal number to octal?

    <p>Perform division on the integer and successive quotients. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the conversion of the decimal number 152.25 to octal, what is the octal representation of the integer part?

    <p>(230)8 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    After conducting the multiplication step of the decimal fraction 0.25 in octal conversion, what is the final octal fraction result?

    <p>(2)8 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first operation performed when converting a decimal number to hexadecimal?

    <p>Perform division on the integer and successive quotients. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    After completing the conversion of the decimal number 152.25 to hexadecimal, what is the correct hexadecimal representation of the integer part?

    <p>(98)16 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the correct octal representation for the fractional part 0.25 when converted to octal?

    <p>(2)8 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What positional weights are used when converting an octal number to decimal?

    <p>Powers of 8 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When converting decimals, what is the final result for the fractional part 0.25 after multiplying with the base of hexadecimal?

    <p>(4)16 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the input unit in a computer system?

    <p>To collect data from the user through input devices. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a major component of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

    <p>Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) within the CPU?

    <p>To perform all calculations and logical operations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes how the output unit functions?

    <p>It converts machine language into signals readable by output devices. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What sequence of actions occurs when a user inputs data into an application?

    <p>The CPU suspends the application, receives input signals, and then restarts processing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

    <p>To control operations of all devices in the computer system. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Control Unit (CU) interact with the ALU during computations?

    <p>The CU passes data from the memory unit to the ALU for processing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following output devices is commonly referenced as a Visual Display Unit (VDU)?

    <p>Monitor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the binary number system primarily use to represent information?

    <p>Electronic pulses for 0 and 1 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many digits are present in the decimal number system?

    <p>10 digits from 0 to 9 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which number system is a collection of bits represented using only three bits?

    <p>Octal number system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum digit value in the octal number system?

    <p>7 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the position of a digit and its value in the decimal number system?

    <p>Each position is a power of 10 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the correct definition for a byte in the binary number system.

    <p>A collection of eight bits (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of an electronic pulse represent in the binary number system?

    <p>The binary value of 1 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the communication between processors in the OS described?

    <p>OS communicates between processors through various communication lines. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which operating system is classified as a Network OS?

    <p>UNIX (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the base of the binary number system?

    <p>Base 2 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates Hard Real-Time Systems from Soft Real-Time Systems?

    <p>Soft Real-Time Systems can tolerate delays. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about DOS?

    <p>DOS supports a command-line interface only. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of Linux compared to DOS and Windows?

    <p>Linux is an open-source operating system. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which operating system was distributed by Microsoft?

    <p>Windows (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What interface do modern versions of Windows support?

    <p>Both Command-line and Graphical interfaces (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes multitasking in Linux?

    <p>Linux supports multitasking and case it on various vendors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of Random Access Memory (RAM) in a computer system?

    <p>To temporarily store data currently in use (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes the nature of RAM?

    <p>It is volatile memory, losing data when power is turned off. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates Static RAM (SRAM) from Dynamic RAM (DRAM) in terms of construction?

    <p>SRAM is built using D flip-flops, while DRAM uses tiny capacitors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following memory types is non-volatile?

    <p>Read-Only Memory (ROM) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which scenario would you typically find the use of Random Access Memory?

    <p>Running active applications during a session (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about Read-Only Memory (ROM)?

    <p>It provides stability and reliability for essential system functions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common application of Dynamic RAM (DRAM) compared to Static RAM (SRAM)?

    <p>Utilized in main memory of computers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic of RAM contributes to the speed of data processing in a computer system?

    <p>RAM allows simultaneous reading and writing of data (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    History of Computers

    • Computers are electronic machines that collect, store, process information based on user instructions, and return the result.
    • A computer is a programmable electronic device that performs arithmetic and logical operations automatically according to instructions.
    • Computers have evolved through several generations, starting around 1940, with each generation characterized by advancements in technology like vacuum tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, and microprocessors.

    First Generation (1940s-1950s)

    • Used vacuum tube technology.
    • Expensive and produced significant heat.
    • Limited to large organizations.
    • Machine language was used for programming.
    • Example computers: ENIAC, EDVAC, IBM-650, IBM-701, Manchester Mark 1, Mark 2.
    • Main characteristics: vacuum tubes, magnetic drums/tapes, machine language, slow speed, large size (often taking up entire rooms), punched cards/paper tape as input/output devices.
    • Approximately 100 vacuum tube computers were produced between 1942 and 1959.

    Second Generation (1950s-1960s)

    • Used transistor technology.
    • Generated less heat than vacuum tubes.
    • Smaller and more reliable than first-generation computers.
    • Assembly language was used for programming.
    • Example computers: IBM 1401, IBM 7090, 7094, UNIVAC 1107.
    • Main characteristics: transistors, magnetic core/tape/disk, assembly language, low power consumption, smaller size, punched cards/magnetic tape as input/output devices.

    Third Generation (1960s-1970s)

    • Used integrated circuits (ICs)
    • More powerful, smaller, and more reliable than second-generation computers.
    • High-level programming languages like FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, COBOL, C were used.
    • Main characteristics: integrated circuits, large magnetic core/tape/disk, high-level languages, smaller size, and cheaper, improved performance, magnetic tape/keyboard/monitor/printer as input/output devices

    Fourth Generation (1970s-Present)

    • Used very large-scale integration (VLSI) and microprocessors.
    • Thousands of transistors on a single chip.
    • Significant increase in speed, accuracy and reliability.
    • Extensive use of high-level languages (Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, Rust, Kotlin, etc.).
    • Smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than third-generation computers.
    • Example computers: IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108, various Apple products, IBM PC, STAR 1000, Apple II, Apple Macintosh, etc.

    Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond)

    • Based on artificial intelligence and ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI).
    • Use of parallel processing and neural networks.
    • Ability for computers to learn and adapt.
    • Includes desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones.
    • Aim to achieve faster processing speed, accuracy, and reliability than previous generations.

    Computer Block Diagram

    • The major components of a computer are the input unit, output unit, central processing unit (CPU), and memory unit (both primary and secondary).
    • The CPU includes the control unit (CU) and arithmetic logic unit (ALU).
    • The CU directs and controls the processing, while the ALU performs calculations and logical operations.
    • Primary memory is volatile and holds data currently being processed, is relatively quick to access, whereas secondary memory is non-volatile and stores data permanently.

    Types of Computers

    • Computers are classified by size (supercomputer, mainframe, minicomputer, workstation, personal computer) and data handling capabilities (analog, digital, hybrid).
    • Supercomputers are the largest and fastest, used for intensive scientific computations.
    • Mainframes are used for large-scale transaction processing and commercial databases.
    • Minicomputers are smaller and used for engineering and scientific tasks.
    • Workstations are for professional tasks like video editing and graphic design.
    • PCs are for general-purpose use.

    Operating Systems

    • An operating system (OS) acts as an interface between the hardware (physical components) and the user/ software applications.
    • OS manages the allocation and deallocation of resources, handles memory, processor, and device management, provides file management and ensures security & stability.
    • Different types of OS available include: Batch OS, Time-Shared OS, Distributed OS, Network OS and Real-Time OS. Differentiate between features of these OS.

    Number Systems

    • Digital computers use number systems to represent information.
    • The most common systems are binary (base 2), decimal (base 10), octal (base 8), and hexadecimal (base 16).
    • Each system has a unique way of representing values using digits or symbols.
    • Key characteristics of each system include the digits used, the positional value of each digit, and the base.

    Memory Management (RAM and ROM)

    • RAM (Random Access Memory) is a temporary storage area, used during normal operations, and is volatile (loses data when power is removed).
    • SRAM and DRAM are common types of RAM, distinguished by construction and data retention.
    • ROM (Read-Only Memory) is a permanent storage area, used for startup instructions, and non-volatile (data remains when power is removed).
    • Types of ROM include masked ROM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, differing by their programmability and erasability.
    • Basic functionalities and differences in various types of computer memory are explained

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    Description

    Explore the evolution of computers, focusing on the first generation from the 1940s to 1950s. Learn about the technology of vacuum tubes, the limitations faced, and notable examples such as ENIAC and IBM-650. This quiz will highlight the characteristics and programming of early computers.

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