CC 201 Unit 1 - Computing History PDF

Question 1: What is the main focus of Unit 1 in the CC 201 course at WVSU-CICT? Answer 1: The main focus of Unit 1 is "Computing: A Historical Perspective," which traces the evolution of computing from early devices to modern computers. Question 2: Who is credited with building the first mechani...

Question 1: What is the main focus of Unit 1 in the CC 201 course at WVSU-CICT? Answer 1: The main focus of Unit 1 is "Computing: A Historical Perspective," which traces the evolution of computing from early devices to modern computers. Question 2: Who is credited with building the first mechanical computer? Answer 2: Charles Babbage is credited with building the first mechanical computer in the 1820s. Question 3: What was the first programmable, general-purpose computer called? Answer 3: The first programmable, general-purpose computer was called the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC). Question 4: How did the ENIAC contribute to military operations during WWII? Answer 4: The ENIAC was funded by the US Army to compute firing tables, aiding gun operators by providing optimal specifications for hitting targets based on various conditions. Question 5: What is the role of an Operating System (OS) in a computer? Answer 5: The Operating System acts as the "brain" of the computer, controlling all components and orchestrating actions based on user commands. Question 6: What significant operating system was developed by AT&T in the 1970s? Answer 6: The operating system developed by AT&T in the 1970s was called Unix. Question 7: What major change did IBM introduce to personal computing in 1981? Answer 7: IBM introduced the personal computer (PC) in 1981, revolutionizing the market by making computers affordable for personal use. Question 8: What was the purpose of the "Mother of All Demos," presented by Douglas Engelbart? Answer 8: The "Mother of All Demos" showcased key personal networked computer technologies, including networking, graphical user interfaces, and video conferencing. Question 9: What are Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs)? Answer 9: LANs are small networks connecting computers within a building, while WANs are large networks that connect multiple LANs over wide geographic areas. Question 10: Who is often regarded as the world's first programmer? Answer 10: Ada Lovelace is often regarded as the world's first programmer. Question 11: What has contributed to the widespread adoption of Unix and its variants? Answer 11: The powerful capabilities and low to no costs associated with Unix and its variants, coupled with the economic incentives for businesses, have led to their widespread adoption.