Questions and Answers
Transistors are far superior to ______, allowing computers to become smaller and faster.
vacuum tubes
Second-generation computers moved from binary machine language to ______ languages.
symbolic
Early versions of ______ and FORTRAN were developed as high-level programming languages during this time.
COBOL
Second-generation computers stored their instructions in their ______.
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The hallmark of the third generation of computers was the development of the ______.
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Transistors were miniaturized and placed on ______ chips, called semiconductors.
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The third generation of computers drastically increased ______ and efficiency.
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A binary digit is called a ______.
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The move from magnetic drum to magnetic ______ technology represented a key advancement in computer memory.
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A group of 8 bits is called a ______.
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The speed at which supercomputers operate is measured in ______.
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Computers can store a large amount of ______.
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The accuracy of a computer system is very ______.
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Computers can perform activities ranging from simple calculations to complex ______.
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Diligence in computers means being constant and earnest in ______.
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Humans may suffer from weakness like tiredness, but computers are ______.
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In medicine today, computers are used for everything from diagnosing ______ to monitoring patients during surgery.
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Musicians and singers have teamed up with computers to create an amazing range of ______ and sounds.
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The Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a system that synchronizes hardware and ______.
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While computers are fulfilling their promise to perform tasks better, faster, and ______, some expectations have not been met.
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Computers have found their way into the household, where most of the household ______ and gadgets have computers in them.
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Sometimes it takes too much time to learn how to use an application program that is supposed to increase ______.
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Computers still lack many of the mental ______ possessed by five-year-old children.
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Simply put, computers can’t ______.
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A ______ connector connects the flowchart on different pages to avoid spaghetti connection.
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A ______ is a primary storage location that can assume different numeric or alphanumeric values.
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The data type that represents a whole number is called ______.
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A ______ is a combination of characters such as letters and symbols.
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______ data types are language specific and may have different representations.
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The values for the ______ data type are either 1 for YES or 0 for NO.
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A ______ or double is an integer with decimal numbers.
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Examples of a ______ include alphabets and special characters.
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A collection of buttons that typically make the more common tools for an application easily accessible is called a ______.
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To install the latest version of a program or to record the latest information in a file is referred to as ______.
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Transferring a file from your computer by attaching it to an email or moving it to a web-based upload area is called ______.
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A string of text used to identify and locate a file on a computer network is known as a ______.
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A person who operates and uses a computer is referred to as a ______.
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Programs that have been designed to be intuitive and self-explanatory with minimal chance of mistakes are considered ______.
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A computer virus is a program written and then hidden in another program, triggering damage when the host program is executed. This is known as a ______.
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A diagram representing the logical sequence in which steps or operations are to be performed is called a ______.
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Study Notes
Transistors vs. Vacuum Tubes
- Transistors provide numerous advantages over vacuum tubes, resulting in computers that are smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient, and more reliable.
- Despite generating heat, transistors represented a significant upgrade from vacuum tubes.
- Second-generation computers utilized punched cards for input and printed output, transitioning to symbolic or assembly languages for programming in place of binary machine language.
- High-level programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN emerged during this period, enhancing programming capabilities.
- Instructions began to be stored in memory, evolving from magnetic drums to magnetic core technology.
Third Generation: Integrated Circuits
- The introduction of integrated circuits marked the third computer generation from 1964 to 1971.
- Transistors miniaturized into silicon chips, known as semiconductors, leading to major improvements in computer speed and efficiency.
- Computers process information in binary (0s and 1s), with the basic units being bits (0 or 1) and bytes (group of 8 bits).
- Word length refers to the number of bits a computer can handle simultaneously.
Computer Speed and Storage
- Modern computers execute millions of instructions per second, with supercomputers operating at speeds in nanoseconds and picoseconds.
- Main and auxiliary memory systems enable extensive data storage, emphasizing quick data retrieval.
- Accuracy is high, with error detection and correction methods minimizing false outputs; most errors stem from human factors.
Versatility and Automation
- Computers perform a wide range of tasks from basic calculations to complex simulations and data exchanges.
- Automation allows computers to complete tasks without human intervention once initiated.
- Computers demonstrate remarkable diligence, unaffected by fatigue or emotional influences that affect human performance.
Applications of Computers
- Widespread use in business for decision-making and e-commerce processes.
- In medicine, computers assist in diagnosis, patient monitoring, and prosthetic control.
- Educational tools for students and researchers enhance learning and intellectual engagement.
- Military applications include navigation and control systems for advanced weaponry and vehicles.
- Music creation benefits from computer technology through systems like MIDI, enhancing sounds and instrument design.
- Household appliances increasingly incorporate computers for automation and efficiency.
Limitations of Computers
- Computers have not fully achieved productivity improvements as anticipated; certain tasks may take longer than manual methods.
- Learning to use complex applications can be time-consuming, countering productivity enhancements.
- Despite similarities to human thinking, computers lack reasoning abilities and fundamental cognitive functions found in children.
Computing Basics
- A toolbar provides quick access to common tools within computer applications.
- Updates involve installing new software versions or saving recent data.
- Uploading references transferring files between computers or uploading to online destinations.
- URLs serve as addresses for files on networks like the internet, structured as strings (e.g., http//www.google.com).
- Users operate computers, while user-friendly software aims to reduce error chances for non-expert individuals.
Computer Viruses and Wallpaper
- Computer viruses reside in programs and can cause varying degrees of damage once executed.
- Wallpaper decorates the graphical User Interface (GUI) background but serves no functional purpose beyond aesthetics.
Flowcharting and Programming
- Flowcharts visualize problem-solving logic using a series of symbols to represent input, processing, and output.
- Basic programming symbols facilitate clear communication of processes within software.
- Variables serve as storage locations for data, allowing for various numeric or alphanumeric values to be processed.
Data Types in Programming
- Data type determines the nature of the data processed, with common types including:
- Integer: Whole numbers
- Float/Double: Decimal numbers
- Character: Single letters and special characters
- String: Combinations of characters or words
- Boolean: Binary responses (1 for yes, 0 for no)
- Different programming languages may include additional or varied data types that suit specific applications.
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Description
This quiz explores the advantages of transistors over vacuum tubes in computers. It highlights how transistors have contributed to making computers smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient compared to earlier technologies. Test your knowledge on this crucial development in computer science.
