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Questions and Answers
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between hardware and software in a computer system?
What technology is associated with the fourth generation of computers?
Which component is part of the essential hardware units to build a complete computing machine?
During which generation did integrated circuits become the leading technology?
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Which of the following is a physical and visible component of a computer system?
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Which generation of computers is based on artificial intelligence?
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What must happen for software to function properly?
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Which unit is not typically classified as a necessary computer component for a complete computing machine?
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In what era did the third generation of computers take place?
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Which of the following is not a visible component of hardware?
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Study Notes
History of Computers
- The first counting devices were used by our ancestors in the early decades
- They utilized sticks, bones, and stones as their counting implements
- The evolution of the human mind and technology improved over time, leading to the existence of more computing devices
Generations of Computers
- First generation: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)
- Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for main memory
- Were often enormous, taking up entire rooms
- Second generation: Transistors (1956-1963)
- Transistors replaced vacuum tubes
- Third generation: Integrated Circuits (1964-1971)
- Used integrated circuits
- Fourth generation: Microprocessors (1971-Present)
- Used microprocessors
- Fifth generation: Artificial Intelligence (Present and Beyond)
- Based on artificial intelligence
Computer System Components
- Classified into two categories: Hardware and Software
- Hardware: physical and visible components of the system (e.g. monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse)
- Software: set of instructions that enable the hardware to perform specific tasks
- Both are interdependent and different from each other
Input Unit
- Fundamental part of the entire computer system
- Involves interaction with the user
- Receives information directly from the user to command other devices
- Examples of input devices:
- Keyboard
- Consists of keys used to type instructions
- Helps to put commands on the computer system for specific tasks
- Mouse
- Acts as the computer's pointing and clicking device
- Has a scrolling wheel to scroll on the display and buttons for selection purposes
- Joystick
- Used primarily to give commands for the gaming process performed by the computer
- Has pushbuttons for specific selection purposes
- Keyboard
Output Units
- Hardware devices attached to the computer that help the system interact with the user or other connected devices
- Examples of output devices:
- Monitor
- Displays the data processed by the computer in a graphical output form
- Speaker
- Plays audio generated by the sound card
- Printer
- Transfers electronic data from the computer to a hard copy
- Can print text and graphics on paper or print 3D objects
- Monitor
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Performs most of the processing operations in a computer
- Consists of:
- Arithmetic & Logical Unit
- Deals with operations and logical functions
- Memory Unit
- Stores processed data received from input devices and provides space for managing computational activities
- Control Unit
- Receives input data from input devices and accomplishes the processed data in a controlled format under instructions provided by system operators
- Known as RAM (volatile memory)
- Arithmetic & Logical Unit
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
- Electromechanical data storage device used to store and retrieve data digitally using magnetic storage
- Non-volatile data storage device
- Installed within a computer connected directly to the disk controller of the system's motherboard
Motherboard
- Most important Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that allows interaction between critical electronic components of the entire system
- Connects the central processing unit and memory
- Provides connectors for other external devices
Computer Software
- Set of instructions that tells a computer or device what to do
- Includes a wide range of programs, from simple scripts to complex applications
- Essential to the operation of modern computing systems
- Should have the following key characteristics:
- Correctness
- Usability
- Efficiency
- Reliability
- Security
- Adaptability
- Accuracy
- Maintainability
Advantages of Computer
- Multitasking
- Speed
- Cost-effective
- Accuracy
- Data Security
- Task completer
- Communication
- Productivity
- Reduces workload
- Reliability
- Storage
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Description
Learn about the evolution of computers from ancient counting devices to modern machines. Explore the different generations of computers and their characteristics.
