Introduction to Computer Science

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Questions and Answers

What is a defining characteristic of computer science?

Study of algorithms and computational problems. (correct)

Emphasis on networking between human and machine.

Integration of software development practices.

Focus on hardware components and devices.

Which of the following best describes the role of hardware in a computer system?

It includes mechanical and electronic components that make up the computer. (correct)

It consists of the logic that directs computer actions.

It refers to programs that enable the computer to perform tasks.

It is the set of instructions under which the computer operates.

Which process does not occur in automatic information processing?

Transformation of data using arithmetic operations.

Acquisition of information.

Manual inputting of data by a user. (correct)

Storage of information in the computer's memory.

Who invented the first electromechanical computer?

Howard Aiken. Signup and view all the answers

What key aspect distinguishes computer engineering from computer science?

Computer engineering combines principles of electronic engineering with computing. Signup and view all the answers

What key development defined the second generation of computers?

Replacement of vacuum tubes with transistors Signup and view all the answers

Which data type would best represent a complex identification code such as 'M-6995'?

Alphanumerical Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the first generation of computers?

Dependence on punched cards for input Signup and view all the answers

What does IEEE 754 specify?

The format for floating point representation Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant feature of the third generation of computers?

Miniaturization of transistors and use of integrated circuits Signup and view all the answers

How many distinct values can be represented with 8 bits?

256 Signup and view all the answers

Which programming language emerged during the fourth generation of computers?

C++ Signup and view all the answers

What does a flow diagram provide in algorithm development?

Graphical representation of execution flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a computer algorithm?

To provide precise instructions for solving a problem Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes binary representation?

Represents values using digits 0 and 1 Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of sampling frequency in sound representation?

It influences the quality of the reconstructed sound Signup and view all the answers

In what format are the characters encoded in ASCII?

7 bits for 128 characters Signup and view all the answers

What technology is primarily associated with the fifth generation of computers?

Artificial intelligence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an optimal algorithm?

One that minimizes the number of steps to achieve a solution Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of computer engineering as compared to computer science?

Integration of electronic engineering with computer science Signup and view all the answers

Which step in the automatic information processing involves applying logic and arithmetic operations to data?

Transformation Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a computer system refers specifically to the physical elements that compose it?

Hardware Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for the invention of the first electromechanical computer?

Howard Aiken Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the role of software in a computer system?

The logic that directs the actions of hardware Signup and view all the answers

Which technology introduced in the fourth generation of computers enabled the development of new hardware devices?

Microprocessors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component responsible for representing a real number in scientific notation according to IEEE 754?

Mantissa Signup and view all the answers

How many bits does Extended ASCII use to represent characters?

8 bits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a characteristic of integrated circuits in the third generation of computers?

They miniaturize and integrate transistors. Signup and view all the answers

In which generation of computers did the first programming languages appear?

Second generation Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the smallest unit of information in computing?

Bit Signup and view all the answers

Which programming languages were developed during the fourth generation of computers?

C, C++ Signup and view all the answers

Which representation of numbers may lead to a loss of precision when converted into a digital format?

Real or floating-point representation Signup and view all the answers

Which generation of computers is characterized by the use of personal computers and mobile devices?

Fifth generation Signup and view all the answers

What type of data is represented using octal (base 8) notation?

Binary values grouped in threes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of an algorithm in computing?

To provide a sequence of instructions for problem-solving Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential feature of sound representation in computers?

Sampling followed by encoding Signup and view all the answers

Which definition correctly describes the purpose of pseudo-code in the development of algorithms?

It describes the algorithm in natural language-like format. Signup and view all the answers

What limits the number of steps an algorithm can take?

It must be finite. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the relationship between bits and bytes?

A byte consists of 8 bits. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Computer Science and Programming Introduction

Computer Science studies computation, information, algorithms, computational problems, and computer system design.
Computer Engineering combines electrical engineering and computer science to design computer systems and devices.
A computer accepts input, processes data according to a program, and produces output. It networks with other computers and people, and processes information quickly and automatically.
Hardware: The physical components of a computer.
Software: The instructions (programs) that tell the hardware what to do.

Automatic Information Processing

Information acquisition (input).
Data representation for the computer.
Transformation (logic & arithmetic operations).
Data storage in computer memory.
Information transmission (output).

History of Computers

Howard Aiken built the first electromechanical computer in 1937, using relays and inspired by Babbage's ideas.
Five computer generations (1950 onwards):
- First Generation (1950-1960): Vacuum tubes; large power consumption, heat production; machine language; punched card input. Primarily for military and scientific applications.
- Second Generation (1960-1966): Transistors replaced vacuum tubes (less power, less heat); first programming languages emerged; computers store instructions in memory; first administrative and management applications.
- Third Generation (1966-1971): Integrated circuits (miniaturized transistors on silicon); increased processing speed; development of operating systems; programs used across different models.
- Fourth Generation (1971-1981): Microprocessors (thousands of integrated circuits on a single chip); electronic memory; new hardware devices; software tools like C and C++ developed.
- Fifth Generation (present): Personal computers; internet; mobile phones; artificial intelligence.

Information Representation in Computers

Information Technology: Uses computers to manage information automatically. This requires proper data representation.
Data Types:
- Numerical (integers, floating-point).
- Alphabetical.
- Alphanumeric.
- Images, sound, video.
Binary Representation:
- Bits (binary digits) are 0 or 1; the smallest unit of information.
- Bytes are sets of 8 bits.
- Integers represented in base two. The number of values represented with n bits is 2ⁿ. Example: 8 bits can represent 256 values (0-255 or -128 to +127).
Alternative Representations:
- Octal (base 8).
- Hexadecimal (base 16).
Real/Floating-Point:
- Represented in scientific notation (mantissa, base, exponent).
- Standard IEEE 754 (32 bits, 64 bits). Mantissa uses bits for sign and digits; exponent uses bits. Precision loss possible.
Alphabetic/Alphanumeric:
- Using encoding tables (ASCII, Extended ASCII). ASCII uses 7 bits, 128 characters. Extended ASCII uses 8 bits, 256 characters.
Sound: Sampled data; quality depends on sample rate and bits per sample.
Images: Pixel matrix; quality depends on resolution and bits per pixel (color depth).

Algorithms and Programs

Algorithm: Precise, finite, correct, and optimal steps to solve a problem. Transforms input to output.
Computer Program: Algorithm expressed in a language the computer understands.
Programs have:
- Program data.
- Expressions.
- Instructions.
Flow Diagrams: Graphical representations of algorithm execution.
Pseudocode: Description of an algorithm using natural language-like statements for better understanding.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of computer science and programming in this quiz. Learn about hardware, software, and the history of computers while understanding the basics of information processing and data management. Test your knowledge on key concepts and terminology in computer systems.