History of Computers Week 2

Questions and Answers

What was the earliest definition of the term 'computer'?

A computational device used for solving equations

A machine designed for calculations

A term used for electronic devices

A person who carried out calculations (correct)

Which of the following is an example of a manual-mechanical device?

Tally Sticks (correct)

Pascaline Calculator (correct)

Abacus (correct)

Electronic Calculator

Who invented Napier's Bones?

William Oughtred

John Napier (correct)

Isaac Newton

Blaise Pascal

Which of the following best describes the Pascaline Calculator?

A mechanical calculating device using cogged wheels Signup and view all the answers

During which era were human computers employed to carry out mathematical calculations?

Pre-Modern Era Signup and view all the answers

What mathematical operations could be calculated with Oughtred's Slide Rule?

Multiplication, division, roots, logarithms, and trigonometry Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the Stepped Reckoner?

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Signup and view all the answers

What capabilities did Babbage's Analytical Engine have?

It was completely automatic and could solve any mathematical problem. Signup and view all the answers

Which device is known as the first fully electronic general-purpose digital computer?

ENIAC Signup and view all the answers

How many generations of computers are recognized in their evolution?

Six Signup and view all the answers

What was the first mass-produced calculating machine?

Arithmometer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was one of the earliest computing devices?

Tally Sticks Signup and view all the answers

What significant advancement characterized the development of EDSAC?

It was the first computer to use a binary representation of data. Signup and view all the answers

Which invention is credited to John Atanasoff?

ABC Signup and view all the answers

What important feature did the Analytical Engine lack compared to modern computers?

Storing data and programs internally Signup and view all the answers

Which components were primarily used in first-generation computers?

Vacuum tubes and magnetic drums Signup and view all the answers

What major hardware feature distinguishes second-generation computers?

Transistors Signup and view all the answers

Which computer is recognized as the first commercial business computer?

UNIVAC Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum processing speed of fourth-generation computers?

100,000,000 instructions per second Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a third-generation computer?

IBM System 360 Signup and view all the answers

What was the typical size of second-generation computers?

Mainframes Signup and view all the answers

Which generation introduced the use of integrated circuits?

Third Generation Signup and view all the answers

What development accompanied fourth-generation computers besides microprocessors?

GUIs and handheld devices Signup and view all the answers

What technology primarily characterizes fifth-generation computers?

Artificial Intelligence Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes general-purpose computers?

They can store different programs and perform various operations. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of computer deals with quantities that are continuously variable?

Analog Computers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about hybrid computers?

They combine the features of analog and digital computers. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes supercomputers from other types of computers?

They execute trillions of instructions per second. Signup and view all the answers

Digital computers are specifically designed to handle which of the following?

Discrete and distinct values. Signup and view all the answers

Which example is an analog computer application?

Speedometers in automobiles Signup and view all the answers

Why have minicomputers become less popular?

Personal computers can perform most of the tasks they were designed for. Signup and view all the answers

Supercomputers are particularly known for which capability?

Performing complex mathematical computations quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of mainframe computers?

They enable multiple users to access resources simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

Which classification of computers focuses on the purpose they serve?

According to Purpose Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates microcomputers from mainframe computers?

Microcomputers are physically smaller and less expensive. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about minicomputers is true?

They were popularized in the late 1960s. Signup and view all the answers

What is another term commonly used for microcomputers?

Personal Computers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

The term "computer" initially referred to humans performing calculations, recorded as early as 1613.
Human computers required extensive training in mathematics for specialized tasks.

Evolution of Computers

Six generations of computers exist: pre-modern era, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth generations.
Pre-modern era includes manual-mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic devices.

Pre-modern Era Devices

Manual-Mechanical Devices: Operated manually by users.
- Tally Sticks: Ancient memory aids for documenting numbers.
- Abacus: Considered the first computing device, using beads to perform calculations; invented in China.
- Napier’s Bones: Created by John Napier in 1614 for arithmetic calculations.
- Oughtred’s Slide Rule: Mechanical device for multiplication and division, invented by William Oughtred.
- Pascaline Calculator: Mechanical adding machine by Blaise Pascal, introduced in 1642.
- Stepped Reckoner: Invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1672; performed basic arithmetic operations.
Babbage’s Engines:
- Difference Engine: Automated computation of mathematical tables by Charles Babbage.
- Analytical Engine: A fully automatic machine capable of any calculation.
Arithmometer: Invented by Thomas de Colmar in 1820; became the first commercially successful calculator.

Electronic Devices

Developed using circuit boards and transistors, moving away from mechanical relays.
- ABC (Atanasoff-Berry Computer): The first digital computer for solving simultaneous equations.
- ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator): The first fully electronic general-purpose digital computer.

Generations of Computers

First Generation (1951-1958): Utilized vacuum tubes; processing speed of 1,000 instructions/sec.
- Notable examples: UNIVAC (first commercial computer) and IBM 701.
Second Generation (1959-1963): Featured transistors; processing speed of 1,000,000 instructions/sec.
- Example: TRADIC, the first transistorized computer.
Third Generation (1964-1970): Introduced integrated circuits; processing speed of 10,000,000 instructions/sec.
- Example: IBM System/360, used widely in business and science.
Fourth Generation (1971-present): Microprocessors or large-scale integrated circuits; processing speed over 100,000,000 instructions/sec.
- Introduction of GUIs and the networked environment leading to the Internet.
Fifth Generation (Present-Future): Focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI); uses parallel processing and superconductors for advanced capabilities.

Classification of Computers

According to Purpose:
- General-Purpose Computers: Versatile machines like PCs, capable of running various applications.
- Digital Computers: Specialized for counting; operates on discrete values.
- Analog Computers: Handle continuous variables; used in scientific and engineering applications, e.g., speedometers.
- Hybrid Computers: Combine features of analog and digital computers for specialized tasks.
According to Capacity:
- Supercomputers: The most powerful in speed and accuracy; execute trillions of instructions per second (FLOPS).
- Mainframe Computers: Large systems for multiple simultaneous user access; handle massive data volumes.
- Minicomputers: Mid-range devices popular in late 1960s; now largely replaced by personal computers.
- Microcomputers: Small, affordable, and widely used; commonly known as personal computers (PCs).

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of the history and evolution of computers. It explores different generations and classifications of computers based on purpose, data handling, and capacity. Test your knowledge on the milestones in computer development and their classifications.