History of Computing: 1930s-1960s

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Questions and Answers

What significant transition in computing occurred from the 1930s to the 1960s?

From mechanical to electronic calculators (correct)

From electronic to mechanical calculators

From mechanical to analog technology

From analog to digital photography

Who is regarded as the 'Father of Computer Science'?

Charles Babbage

Alan Turing (correct)

John von Neumann

Bill Gates

What was the main technology used in the Zeroth Generation of computers?

Microprocessors

Electronic vacuum tubes (correct)

Transistors

Integrated circuits

Which development set the stage for commercial computing?

EDVAC construction Signup and view all the answers

What programming language began to be used during the First Generation of computers?

Higher level, procedure-oriented languages Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic describes the 'closed shop' mode during the First Generation?

Hired operators managed jobs for the system Signup and view all the answers

The Turing Machine was primarily designed to:

Abstractly manipulate symbols to represent algorithms Signup and view all the answers

What was the limitation of early programming in the Zeroth Generation?

Execution was tied to the competency of individual programmers Signup and view all the answers

What are the two major components of the CPU?

Arithmetic Logic Unit and Control Unit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU?

Control and coordinate all operations of the computer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'fetch' step in CPU operation?

Retrieving an instruction from program memory Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) serve in the CPU?

It performs arithmetic and logic operations Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Memory Unit in a digital computer?

To store data and instructions for processing Signup and view all the answers

How does the CPU handle instructions from program memory after fetching them?

By decoding and interpreting the instructions Signup and view all the answers

What does the program counter (PC) do during the fetch stage in the CPU?

Determines the location of the next instruction to retrieve Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is often synonymous with the Memory Unit in computers?

Random Access Memory (RAM) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the left button on a mouse?

To select an element Signup and view all the answers

Which type of image can a scanner produce when digitizing documents?

Black and white, Gray, and Colored images Signup and view all the answers

How does a joystick primarily control the movement of the cursor?

Through the movement of the vertical stick Signup and view all the answers

What is one way digitizers can be used in the context of drawing?

To input coordinate values in three-dimensional space Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of scanner mentioned?

Projection scanner Signup and view all the answers

What role do output devices play in a computer system?

They make processed data available to the end user. Signup and view all the answers

What color combinations does a colored image consist of when produced by a scanner?

Red, green, and blue Signup and view all the answers

What component of a mouse is used primarily for scrolling?

The wheel Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Dynamic RAM (DRAM)?

It has to be refreshed continually to maintain data integrity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes Static RAM (SRAM)?

It has a higher speed compared to Dynamic RAM. Signup and view all the answers

What types of keys are included in a standard keyboard?

Alphanumeric keys, function keys, and cursor movement keys. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes low level languages?

They are not portable and are machine dependent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using Dynamic RAM over Static RAM?

DRAM has a higher storage capacity and is cheaper. Signup and view all the answers

Which input device uses both wheels or rollers and an optical sensor to detect movement?

Mouse Signup and view all the answers

What do high level languages require for translating source code?

A compiler or interpreter. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is characteristic of function keys on a keyboard?

They are used to perform specific tasks with a single keystroke. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary benefit of using high level programming languages in software development?

They allow for the development of diverse applications. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant feature of machine language?

It consists of sequences of binary bits. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of storage unit is primarily responsible for temporary data storage during computer processing?

Primary storage unit Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a true statement about assembly language?

Mnemonics make it more human-readable than machine language. Signup and view all the answers

How does the optical sensor in a mouse track its movement?

It reflects light off the surface to read movements. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an operation in assembly language?

ADD R2, 10 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a high level language (HLL)?

They offer a higher level of abstraction from machine language and are programmer-friendly. Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of low level languages compared to high level languages?

They are more challenging to code and maintain. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Development of Computing

Transition from mechanical to electronic calculators occurred from the 1930s to the 1960s.
The 1940s marked a shift from analog to digital computers.
Charles Babbage is a foundational figure in Computer Science; Alan Turing is recognized as the "Father of Computer Science."
Turing introduced the concept of algorithms and the Turing Machine, a theoretical device for simulating computer logic.

Generations of Computers

Zeroth Generation: Preceded commercial computing, starting in the mid-1800s; first electronics digital computers emerged with the ABC model, showcasing stored program concepts.
Development of EDVAC was pivotal for commercial computing and operating systems; utilized electronic vacuum tubes.
Early computers operated without an operating system and relied on inefficient machine language programs.

First Generation (1951-1956)

Represented the start of commercial computing characterized by the use of vacuum tubes.
Early operations did not initially benefit from operating systems, involving "closed shop" practices to manage jobs.
Transition to higher level, procedure-oriented programming languages took place.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for executing stored instructions and controlling operations.

CPU Functionality

Fundamental Operations: Execute stored instructions through fetch, decode, execute, and write back cycles.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs all arithmetic operations and logic comparisons.
Control Unit (CU): Manages the CPU's overall operation and controls memory and input/output devices.

Memory Units

Memory unit is crucial for data processing, storing both instructions and intermediate results.
Commonly refers to Random Access Memory (RAM), which is essential for modern computing.
Modern computers typically have at least 512 megabytes of RAM, often upgradeable.

Types of RAM

Dynamic RAM (DRAM): Requires periodic refreshing, higher storage capacity, and lower cost compared to SRAM.
Static RAM (SRAM): Does not need refreshing and is faster but more expensive than DRAM.

Storage Units

Data inputs are stored in both primary (RAM) and secondary storage prior to processing.

Input Devices

Devices like keyboards, mice, and scanners allow data entry into computers.

Keyboard

Includes alphanumeric keys, function keys, control keys, and numeric keypads for diverse input functionalities.

Mouse

Hand-held device for cursor movement; detects movement through wheels or optical sensors, allowing user interaction with screen elements.

Scanner

Converts physical documents and images to digital format for further processing; varies in types like flatbed, drum, slide, and handheld.

Joysticks and Digitizers

Joysticks facilitate cursor navigation via stick movement; digitizers input coordinate data for graphical tasks.

Output Devices

Processed data is relayed to users through monitors, printers, and speakers.

Language Classifications

Low-Level Languages: Close to hardware, composed of machine-dependent instructions (e.g., machine language and assembly language).
- Machine Language: Set of binary instructions directly executed by the computer; specific to hardware.
- Assembly Language: Uses mnemonics for easier coding compared to machine language.
High-Level Languages (HLL): Closer to human language, user-friendly, require compilers or interpreters for translation to machine language, and support portability across systems.
High-level programming languages dominate software development for applications, system software, and utility programs.

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Description

This quiz explores the evolution of computers from the 1930s to the 1960s, highlighting key figures like Alan Turing and significant developments such as the transition from mechanical to electronic calculators. Delve into the origins of digital computing and the foundational concepts laid down by pioneers in the field. Test your knowledge on the critical milestones in computer science history.