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Questions and Answers
The word 'computer' originates from the word meaning:
The word 'computer' originates from the word meaning:
- Store
- Compute (correct)
- Retrieve
- Process
A computer is known as a 'data processor' because it can:
A computer is known as a 'data processor' because it can:
- Transmit data wirelessly
- Analyze network traffic
- Generate data
- Store, process, and retrieve data (correct)
What is considered 'raw facts'?
What is considered 'raw facts'?
- Wisdom
- Knowledge
- Data (correct)
- Information
What is another term for 'processed data'?
What is another term for 'processed data'?
What unit is used to measure a computer's speed?
What unit is used to measure a computer's speed?
What does 'GIGO' stand for regarding computer accuracy?
What does 'GIGO' stand for regarding computer accuracy?
Which characteristic describes a computer's ability to work continuously without tiredness?
Which characteristic describes a computer's ability to work continuously without tiredness?
What term describes a computer's ability to perform various tasks?
What term describes a computer's ability to perform various tasks?
Can a computer make its own decisions?
Can a computer make its own decisions?
Do computers have emotions?
Do computers have emotions?
In computing, what does 'generation' refer to?
In computing, what does 'generation' refer to?
How many computer generations have there been to date?
How many computer generations have there been to date?
What was a key hardware technology in the first generation of computers?
What was a key hardware technology in the first generation of computers?
Which of the following was a key hardware technology in second-generation computers?
Which of the following was a key hardware technology in second-generation computers?
What type of memory was characteristic of second-generation computers?
What type of memory was characteristic of second-generation computers?
Which of the following was a primary characteristic of first-generation computers?
Which of the following was a primary characteristic of first-generation computers?
What technology primarily defines the Third Generation of computers?
What technology primarily defines the Third Generation of computers?
What operating system feature was introduced during the third generation of computers?
What operating system feature was introduced during the third generation of computers?
Integrated circuits with VLSI technology relate to which generation of computers?
Integrated circuits with VLSI technology relate to which generation of computers?
Which of these technologies emerged during the fourth generation?
Which of these technologies emerged during the fourth generation?
What kind of disks were introduced as portable storage in Fourth Generation?
What kind of disks were introduced as portable storage in Fourth Generation?
What technology defines the Fifth Generation of computers?
What technology defines the Fifth Generation of computers?
What type of operating systems are used in the Fifth Generation of computers?
What type of operating systems are used in the Fifth Generation of computers?
Desktop computers are designed to sit:
Desktop computers are designed to sit:
Which type of computer is often used by scientists, engineers, and animators who need high processing power?
Which type of computer is often used by scientists, engineers, and animators who need high processing power?
Notebook computers are also known as:
Notebook computers are also known as:
What input method is commonly used with tablet computers?
What input method is commonly used with tablet computers?
Which of these computers is small enough to fit in your hand?
Which of these computers is small enough to fit in your hand?
What are cellular phones with advanced features, often called?
What are cellular phones with advanced features, often called?
Which type of computer is dedicated to handling network tasks such as data storage?
Which type of computer is dedicated to handling network tasks such as data storage?
Flashcards
What is a computer?
What is a computer?
An electronic device that performs arithmetic operations at high speed and processes data into useful information.
What is Data?
What is Data?
Raw, unorganized facts that need processing.
What is Information?
What is Information?
Processed, organized data that is meaningful and useful.
What is automaticity?
What is automaticity?
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What is Speed (regarding computers)?
What is Speed (regarding computers)?
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What is Accuracy?
What is Accuracy?
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What is Diligence?
What is Diligence?
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What is Versatility?
What is Versatility?
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What is Power of Remembering?
What is Power of Remembering?
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What is No I.Q.?
What is No I.Q.?
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What is No Feelings?
What is No Feelings?
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What is a Computer Generation?
What is a Computer Generation?
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What were First Generation Computers?
What were First Generation Computers?
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What were Second Generation Computers?
What were Second Generation Computers?
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What were Third Generation Computers?
What were Third Generation Computers?
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What were Fourth Generation Computers?
What were Fourth Generation Computers?
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What are Fifth Generation Computers?
What are Fifth Generation Computers?
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What is RAID?
What is RAID?
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What is a Desktop Computer?
What is a Desktop Computer?
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What are Workstations?
What are Workstations?
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What is a Notebook Computer?
What is a Notebook Computer?
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What is a Tablet Computer?
What is a Tablet Computer?
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What are Handheld Computers?
What are Handheld Computers?
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What are Smart Phones?
What are Smart Phones?
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What are Network Servers?
What are Network Servers?
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What are Mainframe Computers?
What are Mainframe Computers?
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What are Minicomputers?
What are Minicomputers?
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What are Supercomputers?
What are Supercomputers?
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Computers in healthcare, examples?
Computers in healthcare, examples?
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Study Notes
Computer Definition
- The term "computer" originates from "compute," meaning "to calculate"
- A computer is an electronic device performing arithmetic at high speed
- Computers are data processors capable of storing, processing, and retrieving data
- Computers convert data into useful information
Data vs. Information
- Data represents raw facts
- Information is processed data
Computer Characteristics
- Automatic: Computers operate without human intervention once a job is initiated
- Speed: Data processing occurs rapidly, measured in:
- Microseconds (10^-6)
- Nanoseconds (10^-9)
- Picoseconds (10^-12)
- Accuracy: Computers maintain high accuracy, dependent on design, errors are often due to "Garbage-In-Garbage-Out" (GIGO)
- Diligence: Computers are free from monotony, tiredness and maintain concentration, working continuously.
- Versatility: Capable of performing tasks reducible to logical steps
- Power of Remembering: Store and recall data using secondary storage, forgetting data only when instructed
- No I.Q.: Computers execute programmed instructions and cannot make independent decisions
- No Feelings: They lack emotions and base judgments on programmed instructions
Computer Generations
- "Generation" signifies a technology step, framing computer industry growth
- Originally identified hardware tech, now includes hardware and software
- Currently, there are five computer generations
Additional Terminology
- Integrated Circuits (ICs)
- Small-Scale Integration (SSI)
- Medium-Scale Integration (MSI)
- Timesharing OS: Allows multiple users to access the same computer system at a time
- GUI (Graphical User Interface): Visual user interface involving actions like double-clicking and adjustments to font size, color, and volume
Computer Generations and Storage
| Generation | Primary Storage | Secondary Storage |
|---|---|---|
| First | Electromagnetic relay memory | Punch cards |
| Second | Magnetic cores memory | Magnetic tapes, Disks |
| Third | Larger magnetic cores memory | Larger capacity magnetic tapes and disks |
| Fourth | Semiconductor memory | Larger capacity hard disks, magnetic tapes, floppy disks |
| Fifth | Larger capacity main memory | Hard disks with RAID, optical disks |
- RAID combines multiple disk drives into a single unit
Computers for Individual Users
- Desktop computers: Designed for desks or tables, now very powerful
- Workstations: Specialized single-user computers, used by scientists, engineers, animators
- Notebook computers: Portable, about 8.5x11 inches, also known as laptops, run on AC or batteries
- Tablet computers: Portable, feature-rich computers with stylus or digital pen input
- Handheld computers: Small enough to fit in a hand
- Smart phones: Cellular phones with advanced PC-like features
Computers for Organizations
- Network Servers: Manage network resources, provide services to clients (data storage, application hosting, email)
- Mainframe Computers: Used in large organizations (insurance, banks) needing shared data access
- Minicomputers: Smaller than mainframes but more capable than personal computers
- Supercomputers: Most powerful computers, processing huge amounts of data, fastest supercomputers can perform more than one trillion calculations per second
Usage of Computers
- Supercomputers used in:
- Scientific research
- AI & ML
- Medical research
- Mainframe computers used in:
- Banking & Finance
- Government and defense
- Healthcare
- Mini computers used in:
- Manufacturing and automation
- Research labs
- Business applications
Computers in Society
- Computers are used
- Home: Communication, business, schoolwork, entertainment, finances
- Education: Online classes, exams
- Small Business: Accounting, inventory, marketing, payroll
- Industry: Design, shipping, process control -Government: Population, taxes, military, police
- Healthcare: Ultrasound, MRI, laser eye surgery, VR and AI
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