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Questions and Answers
The Analytical Engine, designed by Charles Babbage in 1856, was intended solely for arithmetical calculations, excluding other mathematical operations.
The Analytical Engine, designed by Charles Babbage in 1856, was intended solely for arithmetical calculations, excluding other mathematical operations.
False (B)
Ada Byron, also known as Ada Lovelace, is recognized for her work on the Difference Engine, where she outlined basic computer programming principles.
Ada Byron, also known as Ada Lovelace, is recognized for her work on the Difference Engine, where she outlined basic computer programming principles.
False (B)
The British Colossus, used in WWII, was the first computer built in 1943 and primarily served to encode messages.
The British Colossus, used in WWII, was the first computer built in 1943 and primarily served to encode messages.
False (B)
Steve Wozniak created the first personal computer called Apple 1 and decided to market it himself in 1976.
Steve Wozniak created the first personal computer called Apple 1 and decided to market it himself in 1976.
The first IBM PC was introduced in 1981 with a closed architecture, meaning other manufacturers were restricted from copying its design.
The first IBM PC was introduced in 1981 with a closed architecture, meaning other manufacturers were restricted from copying its design.
Desktop computers were originally designed to be portable, fitting easily into briefcases, unlike modern laptops and tablets.
Desktop computers were originally designed to be portable, fitting easily into briefcases, unlike modern laptops and tablets.
Workstations are less powerful than standard personal computers (PCs), making them unsuitable for high-end graphics and processing tasks.
Workstations are less powerful than standard personal computers (PCs), making them unsuitable for high-end graphics and processing tasks.
Servers are designed to be less reliable than typical workstations, as businesses can tolerate occasional data loss and downtime for repairs.
Servers are designed to be less reliable than typical workstations, as businesses can tolerate occasional data loss and downtime for repairs.
Supercomputers excel in performing a small number of complex calculations in sequence rather than handling numerous calculations simultaneously.
Supercomputers excel in performing a small number of complex calculations in sequence rather than handling numerous calculations simultaneously.
Scanners are classified as output devices because they display information from the computer onto a physical medium.
Scanners are classified as output devices because they display information from the computer onto a physical medium.
Flashcards
What is a computer?
What is a computer?
A machine that gathers, processes, and stores information.
What is the abacus?
What is the abacus?
Considered the first calculator, invented in Babylonia around 3,000 BCE.
Who is Charles Babbage?
Who is Charles Babbage?
Dubbed the 'father of computing' for his invention of the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine.
Who is Ada Lovelace (Byron)?
Who is Ada Lovelace (Byron)?
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Who is Konrad Zuse?
Who is Konrad Zuse?
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What is the Altair?
What is the Altair?
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What is the Apple 1?
What is the Apple 1?
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What is the IBM PC?
What is the IBM PC?
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What is a workstation?
What is a workstation?
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What are supercomputers?
What are supercomputers?
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Study Notes
- A computer is a machine that gathers, processes, and stores information.
History
- The abacus, from around 3,000 BCE in Babylonia (modern-day Iraq), was the first calculator.
- Charles Babbage is considered the "father of computing" due to his invention of the Difference Engine.
- Babbage's steam-powered calculator was designed in 1821, and the Analytical Engine, designed in 1856, could perform mathematical calculations.
- Ada Byron (also known as Ada Lovelace) was the first computing programmer, writing an analysis of the Analytical Engine and outlining computer programming basics.
- Konrad Zuse created the first programmable digital computer, the Z1.
- The British Colossus, built-in 1943, decoded messages during WWII.
- The Altair was the first computer sold to individuals in 1975, marking the start of the microcomputer revolution.
- The first Apple computer was introduced in 1976; Steve Wozniak created the first personal computer called Apple 1, and Steve Jobs decided to market it.
- Apple II was first produced in 1977.
- The first IBM PC, released in 1981, had an open architecture that others copied.
Modern PCs
- PCs come in various sizes and models today.
- Desktop computers were the first to fit on a desk.
- Notebooks or laptop computers are portable.
- Tablet PCs are notebooks that use a touch screen or stylus instead of a mouse and keyboard.
- Workstations are the most powerful type of PC, with high-speed processors, lots of storage, and special equipment for extensive graphics capabilities.
- Servers are more powerful than workstations, operate on a network, and are designed to run for long periods without interruption.
- Server hardware and software must be reliable to prevent data loss or downtime.
- Supercomputers are the most powerful and fastest computing systems, used for performing a huge number of calculations simultaneously.
- Modern supercomputers are tuned computer clusters with custom interconnects between computers with examples like Lawrence Livermore National Labs’ IBM “Sequoia”.
Peripherals
- Peripheral devices are used for computer input and output.
- A keyboard is an input device for entering information.
- A mouse is an input device.
- Monitors and printers are output devices.
- Scanners and fax machines are input devices.
- Many games and videos require high-definition (HD) monitors.
- Data storage devices have evolved over the years, from 3 ½ in floppy drives to CD-ROM, DVD, and Blu-ray drives.
- External drives provide more storage options.
- Tower cases have expansion bays.
- A dream computer requires: keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, storage drives, microphone, and speakers.
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