Introduction to Computer Systems

Questions and Answers

What is the primary distinction between data and information?

Data is unprocessed raw facts, while information is processed data that has meaning. (correct)

Data is always in numerical form, while information can be numerical or textual.

Data is a type of software, while information refers to hardware components.

Data can only be numbers, while information can only be symbols.

Which characteristic is NOT true of a computer?

It is electronic.

It can function without any powered input. (correct)

It can manipulate data.

It has memory.

Which capability of computers focuses on storing and recalling data?

Self-directing

Self-checking

Stores/recalls data (correct)

Speed

What limitation does a computer have when executing instructions?

It only follows the designed program of instructions. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of computer is designed for high-performance single-user tasks?

Workstation Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT an application of computers?

Space travel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a defining feature of a supercomputer?

Largest and most powerful category of computers Signup and view all the answers

What device could be included in a computer system?

Processor Signup and view all the answers

What significant contribution did George Boole make?

Developed Boolean logic Signup and view all the answers

Which invention is associated with Lee De Forest?

The vacuum tube Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the ENIAC machine?

To compute artillery firing tables Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the UNIVAC I compiler?

Dr. Grace Murray Hopper Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguished the Z3 computer introduced by Konrad Zuse?

It was programmable and used the binary system Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary limitation of the ENIAC regarding its programmability?

It was programmed by changing wiring Signup and view all the answers

What significant technological advancement occurred in the 1950s in relation to vacuum tubes?

Transistors began to replace vacuum tubes Signup and view all the answers

Who were the inventors of the transistor?

William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain Signup and view all the answers

Who were the pioneers behind the first commercially sold computer?

Mauchly and Eckert Signup and view all the answers

What significant advancement in computing occurred in 1958?

The manufacturing of the first integrated circuit Signup and view all the answers

Which programming language was developed in 1965 for beginners?

BASIC Signup and view all the answers

When was the first handheld calculator design completed by Texas Instruments?

1967 Signup and view all the answers

What was a major capability of the ATM introduced in the late 1960s?

Cash withdrawal only Signup and view all the answers

Which device was marketed three years after its design was completed in 1967?

Cal-Tech calculator Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of ARPANET established in 1969?

To connect various machines on smaller networks Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Jack St.Clair Kilby and Robert Noyce win the Nobel Prize for Physics?

2000 Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the release of the Intel 4004 microprocessor in 1971?

It integrated many components into a single chip. Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the first microprocessor?

Ted Hoff Signup and view all the answers

Which programming language was developed by Niklaus Wirth in 1971?

PASCAL Signup and view all the answers

What innovation occurred in 1972 at a grocery store in Cincinnati, Ohio?

First use of barcode scanning. Signup and view all the answers

Which company created the first commercially successful coin-operated video game?

Atari Signup and view all the answers

What was the first scientific handheld calculator introduced by Hewlett-Packard?

HP-35 Signup and view all the answers

What role did William Gates and Paul Allen play in the founding of Microsoft?

They promised to deliver a BASIC compiler. Signup and view all the answers

What was the processing capability of the Intel 4004 microprocessor?

It processed four bits at 108 kHz. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred in 1983 concerning the ARPANET?

It switched to the TCP/IP protocol. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the designers of the TCP/IP protocol?

Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn Signup and view all the answers

Which computer was first introduced in 1977 and became popular shortly after its release?

Apple II Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the first digital audio CD discs made available in 1982?

They represented a breakthrough in digital audio storage. Signup and view all the answers

What unique recognition did Time magazine give to computers in 1982?

Chose a computer to be 'Machine of the Year' Signup and view all the answers

Which software program was first sold for the Apple II in 1979?

Visicalc Signup and view all the answers

Which computer company offered Bill Gates the chance to develop an operating system in 1980?

IBM Signup and view all the answers

What did the MIDI standard established in 1982 allow?

Interoperability of digital musical instruments Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Data vs. Information

Data consists of raw facts, including numbers and symbols.
Information is processed data that has meaning and context.
Computers excel at converting data into useful information through processing.

Characteristics of Computers

Computers are machines that operate electronically.
Capable of manipulating data automatically.
Equipped with memory for data storage.
Perform logical functions based on programmed commands.

Capabilities of Computers

Self-directing operations for automated tasks.
Ability to store and recall significant amounts of data.
Conduct self-checks for accuracy and integrity.
Execute logical functions rapidly and efficiently.

Limitations of Computers

Operate solely on pre-designed program instructions.
Cannot correct erroneous instructions or data autonomously.
Applications need to be quantifiable for computer processing.
Errors can occur despite built-in checks.

Computer System

A computer system includes interconnected hardware components such as processors, storage devices, and input/output devices.

Categories of Computers

Personal Computer (PC): Designed for individual use, typically small and accessible.
Workstation: High-performance, single-user systems with advanced input/output capabilities suitable for networking.
Mainframe Computer: Large systems serving multiple users simultaneously, supporting enterprise-wide applications.
Supercomputer: Represents the most powerful computers, designed for intensive computations.

Applications of Computers

Information systems for data management.
Personal computing for everyday tasks.
Communication across various media.
Scientific research and engineering applications.
Educational tools and resources.
Entertainment, including gaming and multimedia experiences.

Brief Timeline in the History of Computers

1850s: Abacus introduced as the first counting mechanism.
1906: Invention of the vacuum tube, serving as early memory technology.
1939: First electronic digital computer constructed by Atanasoff and Berry.
1941: Z3, the first programmable computer, created by Konrad Zuse.
1947: ENIAC introduced, using 18,000 vacuum tubes for complex calculations.
1951: UNIVAC I, first commercially available computer for business applications, developed.
1958: First integrated circuit produced, allowing miniaturization of components.
1965: Development of the BASIC programming language.
1971: Introduction of the first microprocessor (Intel 4004) revolutionizes computer design.
1980-1983: IBM's PC launched with MS-DOS, and the Internet's foundation established with TCP/IP protocol.

Key Innovations and Events

The invention of the transistor in 1947 fundamentally changed computer architecture.
The rise of programming languages facilitated flexible coding and software development.
The introduction of personal computers in the 1970s democratized access to computing power.
The birth of the Internet transformed global communication and data exchange.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of data, information, and computer systems. This quiz covers the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of computers, highlighting their role in processing data and executing tasks. Test your knowledge on how these systems operate and their functionalities.