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Questions and Answers
Evaluate the statement: The transition from vacuum tubes to transistors in computer architecture primarily influenced which of the following trade-offs in system design?
Evaluate the statement: The transition from vacuum tubes to transistors in computer architecture primarily influenced which of the following trade-offs in system design?
- Increased computational throughput at the expense of higher energy consumption, trading operational efficiency for raw processing power.
- Reduced physical size and power consumption coupled with enhanced reliability and processing speed, optimizing for compact and efficient computing solutions. (correct)
- Improved Input/Output (I/O) data transfer rates at the cost of increased system complexity, thereby accelerating data handling but complicating integration.
- Enhanced data storage capacity by sacrificing processing speed, prioritizing memory density over real-time analytical capabilities.
In the evolution of computing, the merger of Sperry Corporation with Remington Rand to form the Sperry Rand Corporation marked a significant shift. Which of the following propositions best characterizes the principal strategic impact of this consolidation on the nascent computer industry?
In the evolution of computing, the merger of Sperry Corporation with Remington Rand to form the Sperry Rand Corporation marked a significant shift. Which of the following propositions best characterizes the principal strategic impact of this consolidation on the nascent computer industry?
- It catalyzed the commercialization of computer technology by creating an enterprise capable of mass production and widespread marketing of computer systems like the UNIVAC. (correct)
- It facilitated the decentralization of computer manufacturing, fostering broader access to early computing technologies for smaller businesses and research institutions.
- It accelerated the development of open-source operating systems by pooling resources and encouraging collaborative innovation among computer scientists and engineers.
- It primarily addressed the standardization challenges in software development by creating a unified platform that mitigated compatibility issues across diverse hardware architectures.
Assess the implications for computer architecture of the development of microminiature, solid state components for third-generation computers, particularly with respect to subsequent innovations.
Assess the implications for computer architecture of the development of microminiature, solid state components for third-generation computers, particularly with respect to subsequent innovations.
- It facilitated modular hardware design, where standard interfaces allowed components to be easily swapped/upgraded, fostering iterative hardware improvement. (correct)
- It constrained architectural innovation by emphasizing component miniaturization over functional diversification, limiting opportunities for parallel processing architectures.
- It necessitated the development of liquid immersion cooling solutions to address the thermal emission challenges presented by densely packed components.
- It mandated a shift towards analog rather than digital computing paradigms due to enhanced signal fidelity in reduced-scale components.
Consider the historical trajectory from the Intel 8008 microprocessor to the first personal computers built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Which of the following best describes the nature of the technological leap and the associated intellectual contributions made by Jobs and Wozniak?
Consider the historical trajectory from the Intel 8008 microprocessor to the first personal computers built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Which of the following best describes the nature of the technological leap and the associated intellectual contributions made by Jobs and Wozniak?
Evaluate the relative advantages and applications of analog, hybrid and digital computers within contemporary high-performance computing environments.
Evaluate the relative advantages and applications of analog, hybrid and digital computers within contemporary high-performance computing environments.
In the context of first-generation computers, what were the primary limiting factors that constrained their computational capabilities, precluding their widespread adoption in complex scientific and engineering applications?
In the context of first-generation computers, what were the primary limiting factors that constrained their computational capabilities, precluding their widespread adoption in complex scientific and engineering applications?
With reference to Eckert and Mauchly's contribution to computer science, consider the strategic importance of the Eckert-Mauchly Corporation's technological innovations beyond the UNIVAC. Which of the following reflects its most profound and lasting effect on the field's subsequent evolution?
With reference to Eckert and Mauchly's contribution to computer science, consider the strategic importance of the Eckert-Mauchly Corporation's technological innovations beyond the UNIVAC. Which of the following reflects its most profound and lasting effect on the field's subsequent evolution?
What distinguishes supercomputers from mainframes, microcomputers, and handheld devices in terms of their architectural design and applicability to solving complex computational problems?
What distinguishes supercomputers from mainframes, microcomputers, and handheld devices in terms of their architectural design and applicability to solving complex computational problems?
How did the introduction of the Intel 8008 commercial microprocessor in 1972 catalyze the transition from specialized, large-scale computing systems to the proliferation of personal computers, altering the landscape of information technology?
How did the introduction of the Intel 8008 commercial microprocessor in 1972 catalyze the transition from specialized, large-scale computing systems to the proliferation of personal computers, altering the landscape of information technology?
Assess the implications of Remington Rand Corporation's acquisition of Eckert and Mauchly's company for the trajectory of innovation and competition within the early computing industry.
Assess the implications of Remington Rand Corporation's acquisition of Eckert and Mauchly's company for the trajectory of innovation and competition within the early computing industry.
What key architectural innovation distinguished second-generation computers from their predecessors?
What key architectural innovation distinguished second-generation computers from their predecessors?
How did the use of vacuum tubes in first-generation computers impact their operational capabilities and reliability?
How did the use of vacuum tubes in first-generation computers impact their operational capabilities and reliability?
How did the introduction of microminiature, solid-state components in third-generation computers influence CPU access speeds relative to previous generations?
How did the introduction of microminiature, solid-state components in third-generation computers influence CPU access speeds relative to previous generations?
What was the primary strategic rationale behind the merger of Sperry Corporation with Remington Rand to form Sperry Rand Corporation in 1955?
What was the primary strategic rationale behind the merger of Sperry Corporation with Remington Rand to form Sperry Rand Corporation in 1955?
Assess the most significant impact of the introduction of the Intel 8008 microprocessor in 1972 on the evolution of computing.
Assess the most significant impact of the introduction of the Intel 8008 microprocessor in 1972 on the evolution of computing.
How did the physical size and power consumption of first-generation computers compare to those of later desktop models?
How did the physical size and power consumption of first-generation computers compare to those of later desktop models?
What critical feature differentiates a hybrid computer from its analog and digital counterparts?
What critical feature differentiates a hybrid computer from its analog and digital counterparts?
Why were the early computers developed by companies like BELL labs, NCR, Burroughs, and IBM referred to as 'First generation computers'?
Why were the early computers developed by companies like BELL labs, NCR, Burroughs, and IBM referred to as 'First generation computers'?
How did the acquisition of Eckert and Mauchly's company by Remington Rand in 1950 impact the technological landscape of the early computing industry?
How did the acquisition of Eckert and Mauchly's company by Remington Rand in 1950 impact the technological landscape of the early computing industry?
How did the introduction of transistors in second-generation computers impact the field compared to previous generations?
How did the introduction of transistors in second-generation computers impact the field compared to previous generations?
Flashcards
What is "COLOSSUS MARK I"?
What is "COLOSSUS MARK I"?
The first digital computer, built in 1943.
What is the “UNIVAC-I”?
What is the “UNIVAC-I”?
The first large scale commercial computer system. Marketed in 1951.
What is the Sperry Corporation?
What is the Sperry Corporation?
Merged with Remington Rand to form the giant Sperry Rand Corporation in 1955.
Who is General Electric (GE)?
Who is General Electric (GE)?
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What are First generation computers?
What are First generation computers?
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What are Vacuum tubes?
What are Vacuum tubes?
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What are Transistors?
What are Transistors?
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What is the Third Generation Computers
What is the Third Generation Computers
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What is the “Intel 8008”?
What is the “Intel 8008”?
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What is an Analog computer?
What is an Analog computer?
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Study Notes
History of Computers
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In 1943, the first digital computer, named "COLOSSUS MARK I" was built
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In 1943, Bell Laboratories was developing a computer
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In 1943, J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, two scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, later founded the Eckert-Mauchly Corporation
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In 1950, the Remington Rand Corporation acquired Eckert and Mauchly's company
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In 1951, the first large-scale commercial computer system, "UNIVAC-I," was marketed
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In 1955, the Sperry Corporation merged with Remington Rand, creating the "Sperry Rand Corporation"
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In 1955, the 1st commercial application ran when General Electric (GE) processed its payroll on UNIVAC
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1955 marked the birth of business computing, as Americans recognized the value of machines for repetitive mathematical calculations.
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In response to this recognition, companies such as BELL Labs, National Cash Register (NCR), Burroughs, and International Business Machine (IBM) began developing their business computer products
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These early systems are now known as first-generation computers
First Generation Computers
- Used vacuum tubes in their design
- Computers ran hot, requiring significant cooling
- Vacuum tubes were prone to overheating and frequent failures
- Physically huge (one computer could take up a large room) but had less power than an average desktop computer of the 1900s
Second Generation Computers
- Used transistors instead of vacuum tubes, leading to less heat, improved reliability, and faster speeds
- Access speeds were measured in microseconds (millionths of a second)
- Transistors were smaller and more durable than vacuum tubes
- Enabled the development of more powerful computers
Third Generation Computers
- Used microminiature, solid-state components
- Third-generation CPU access speeds were measured in nanoseconds (billionths of a second)
- The IBM 360 and IBM 370 were classic computers of this generation
The Rise of the Modern Personal Computer
- In November 1972, Intel Corporation introduced the first commercial microprocessor, the "Intel 8008"
- The invention of the microprocessor made the PC, microcomputer, possible
2 Teenaged Boys
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Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak shared intense interest in electronics
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They bought a microprocessor for $25 to build a simple computer called "APPLE"
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In May 1976, they introduced their first computer at a Homebrew Computer Club meeting
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PAUL TERRYL, president of The BYTE shop chain, ordered 50 units at the meeting
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With that order, The Apple Computer Company, creator of the first PC, was born
Classes of Computers
- Analog computer: Operates on continuous physical or electrical magnitudes, measuring analog quantities like voltage, current, temperature, and pressure
- Digital computer: Operates on discrete discontinuous numerical digits using the binary numbering system, representing data using discrete values
- Most computers used in the health care industry for charting and decision support are digital computers
- Hybrid computers: Contain features of both analog and digital computers for specific applications like complex signal processing and engineering-oriented tasks
- Hybrid computers are found in some monitoring equipment that converts analog data into digital format for processing
Types of Computers
- Supercomputer: Computationally oriented, designed for scientific applications requiring extensive calculations
- Mainframe: Fastest, largest, and most expensive type of computer, used in corporations for processing, storing, and retrieving data
- Microcomputer/Personal Computer (PC): Desktops serve as standalone workstations and can be linked to a network system to increase capabilities
- Handheld Computers: Small, special function computers with almost the same functions and processing capabilities of a standard desktop microcomputer
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Motherboard
- Memory
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Diskettes
- Universal Serial Bus (USB)
- Hard drive
- CD-ROM
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