The History of the Computer

Language Type: 0000 1001 0110 0100 1101 1111 1010 0011

Machine Language Programming This is an example of binary machine language programming. It consists of 0's and 1's.

The two new pieces of hardware that symbolized the second generation computers included the:

Magnetic core memory & transistors

First Generation dates

(1940's - 1950's)

Second Generation dates

(1959 - 1965)

Third Generation dates

(1965 - 1974)

Fourth Generation dates

(1974 - today)

Define: Interpreter

-Allows you to test out an idea -Relies on a session

Define: Compiler

-Requires that the components of the software all be defined from the outset. -The code is more efficient.

In what order was computer storage developed?

1. Punch cards 2. Magnetic Tape 3. Hard disks 4. Floppy disks 5. Optical disks 6. Flash memory 7. Cloud storage

Assembly Language Programming

Basic programming that is translated directly into the proper machine language.

Computers in the home emerged as a result of computer hardware innovations in the third generation.

False Computers were not yet being used in the home at this time.

Which generation? A computer built with transistors

Second Generation

Which generation? Computers first used magnetic core memory

Second Generation Second generation computers used transistors and magnetic core memory to replace vacuum tubes and make computers more reliable.

Which generation required programming in machine language?

First Generation The earliest computers had to be programmed in machine language.

Which generation? Computer built with vacuum tubes

First Generation The first computers were built using vacuum tubes.

Which generation? Graphic User Interface (GUI) are introduced.

Fourth Generation Graphic user interfaces made computers much easier to use for an average person and made computers more attractive for businesses and personal use.

Which generation? IBM makes a single chip processor.

Fourth Generation In 1974 IBM created the first single-chip processor or microprocessor which allowed smaller computers to be built. This ushered in the fourth generation of computers.

Which generation? The Mark 8, the first personal computer, appears.

Fourth Generation The invention of the microprocessor led to the first personal computers like the Mark 8 in the mid-1970s.

Define: Graphic User Interfaces

Graphic user interfaces allow users to interact with computers without using programming language.

Which of the following statements is true of fourth generation computers? -Graphical interfaces and a variety of new software increased computer usage. -Early microcomputers provided vast computing capabilities. -Transistor miniaturization occurred at a linear rate. The Mark 8 was more widely used than the Apple I.

Graphical interfaces and a variety of new software increased computer usage. These developments allowed people with no real background in computers to use them with relative ease.

Language used to create a program.

High-Level Language Programming

Language Type: Function get_all_factors(number)

High-Level Language Programming High-level language programming uses more English words and mathematical notations that are more understandable.

Which of the following was NOT a cause of the first generation of computers being unreliable? - Inexpensive materials - Vacuum tubes - Programming difficulties related to connecting cables together

Inexpensive materials

What piece of hardware was key to the miniaturization of computers?

Integrated Circuits Integrated circuits replaced transistors and magnetic core memories because they took up less space and resulted in faster computers.

T/F: Moore's law is a concrete, indisputable law.

False Moore's law is considered to be an observation that may or may not hold true in the coming years.

T/F: It is widely believed that Moore's law will hold for at least several more decades.

False The general consensus among engineers is that Moore's law will only hold for a few more years.

T/F: Moore's law states that the number of transistors on a chip increases in a linear fashion.

False The number of transistors doubles over each time period, indicating an exponential increase.

Language Type: Move.1 #$2000030c, d0 ; Initialize DACR0

Assembly Language Programming This is an example of this type of programming language. It is cryptic and uses mnemonics; however, programmers can decipher elements of the code.

Which generation? Advancements hasted by WWII

First Generation

Which generation? ENAIC

First Generation The ENIAC was created to crack German codes in World War II and was the first digital, general-purpose, programmable computer.

Which of the following statements is NOT a major development associated with the second generation of computers? -Reduced physical size -Computers became available for home use -Larger main memory capacities -External storage began shifting from tapes to disk drives

Computers became available for home use

At the time of its creation, which of the following characteristics was unique to ENIAC?

ENIAC performed decimal calculations. Other computers at the time performed binary calculations.

T/F: First generation computers were relatively inexpensive compared to today's computers.

False Even without accounting for inflation, first generation computers were far more expensive than today's computers.

T/F: The development of first generation computers was quickened by World War I.

False First generation computers were created by both sides an effort to gain the advantage in World War II.

T/F: Because of the difficulties of using vacuum tubes, the computer systems required a complex operating system.

False First-generation computers could only run a single program at a time after being programmed.

T/F: Elimination of GOTO statements is a result of the creation of the object-oriented programming model.

False GOTO statements were already considered obsolete by the introduction of structured programming.

T/F: Programs written in an interpreted language must be written completely before they can be run.

False Interpreted languages allow for programs to be written and run in small pieces.

T/F: Development and testing in an interpreted environment is less effective than a compiled language.

False It is easier to make changes and see their results with an interpreted language.

T/F: Machine language uses a series of short scripts for programming.

False Machine language is the most basic set of instructions that a computer can execute directly.

Define: Object-oriented programming

Object-oriented programming allows programmers to reuse code.

Define: Machine Language Programming

Programming at the lowest level.

Which generation? First mainframe computer

Second Generation As computers became cheaper and more reliable and used outside of government or university research facilities, second generation computers became known as mainframe computers - computers built around a solid metal framework.

Which generation? First computers to use Boolean operators

Second Generation Second generation computers were the first to use Boolean operators.

Structured programming language remove the use of "what" statements?

Structured programming language removed the use of GOTO statements and instead uses high level control constructs.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of early operating systems? -They used graphical interfaces. -They required knowledge of relatively complex text commands. -They could handle multiple user requests at a time. -They had user protection and network security capabilities.

They used graphical interfaces. Early operating systems were text-based.

Which generation? Computer networks introduced

Third Generation As more businesses began using computers, businesses needed a way for employees to access the computer remotely without having to go to the computer room. Thus, the first computer networks were introduced that connected mainframe computers to "dumb" terminals used as input and output devices.

Which generation? Minicomputers are available for as a little as $16,000

Third Generation Integrated circuits allowed for smaller, minicomputers to be built. Although, in the third generation minicomputers were significantly more expensive and less powerful than minicomputers available today.

Which generation? Integrated circuits are first used for computation and storage.

Third Generation Integrated circuits would be a pattern of transistors etched onto the surface of a piece of silicon which would conduct electricity. The use of integrated circuits ushered in the third generation of computers.

Which generation? First silicon chips are used in computers

Third Generation Silicon chips could incorporate dozens of transistors and replaced the bulkier transistors and magnetic core memories.

Which of the following statements is NOT accurate in describing the distinctions between first and second generation computers? - The transistors used in the second generation computers were cheaper and lasted longer than the vacuum tubes of the first generation computers. - Computers became smaller in size. - In the second generation computers, memory was stored using a system composed of wires and magnetic cores. - Transistors emitted more heat than vacuum tubes so a new type of material had to be used for the computer housing.

Transistors emitted more heat than vacuum tubes so a new type of material had to be used for the computer housing. Note: Heat emission was an issue associated with vacuum tubes that was alleviated by the shift to transistors in second generation computers.

T/F: Cable is used to link computational circuits and memory

True Before integrated circuits, which combined computation and memory onto a single chip, these two elements were separate and physically linked by cables.

T/F: First generation computers were less reliable than today's computers.

True Between the relatively short shelf life of vacuum tubes and the difficulty of programming by physically connecting separate pieces of hardware, first generation computers had high failure rates.

T/F: An interpreted environment is well-suited for the needs of an IT administrator.

True Code efficiency is not a major concern for the short scripts IT administrators write.

T/F: The software development field emerged as a result of computer hardware innovations in the third generation.

True Computer families made it possible to write programs for multiple computers, so selling software became more viable.

T/F: The same engineer builds, maintains, and programs the computer.

True Early programs were written for a specific machine, so the person who created the computer was also the best candidate for programming and using it.

T/F: Gordon Moore's original prediction that transistors on a chip will double every year has proven to be inaccurate.

True In reality, transistors on a chip have doubled roughly every 18 to 24 months.

T/F: Even smaller businesses could now afford a "mini" version of a mainframe computer.

True Like the transition from the first to the second generation, the switch from the second to the third generation was marked by the adoption of a new technology (integrated circuits) that was both smaller and more cost effective than previous technologies.

T/F: Easier real-world object modeling in programming code is a result of the creation of the object-oriented programming model.

True OOP allows programmers to think of program entities as real-world objects rather than a series of individual variables.

T/F: Silicon chips replaced transmitters.

True Silicon chips could replace transmitters and interfaced faster with the magnetic memory cores.

Computer networks emerged as a result of computer hardware innovations in the third generation.

True The need to connect dumb terminals to the organization's main computer led to the rise of computer networking.

T/F: First generation computers used vacuum tubes for storage.

True The use of vacuum tubes for storage was a defining characteristic of first generation computers.

T/F: Creation of windowed operating systems is a result of the creation of the object-oriented programming model.

True The windowed operating system was also about to help enhance their research.

T/F: Integrated circuit boards could now be used for both computation and memory.

True These new chips were able to combine both transistors and memory into a much smaller form factor than was previously possible in the second generation.

T/F: The application of inheritance in program code is a result of the creation of the object-oriented programming model.

True This practice allows a program to easily create a specific object based on a more generic object with several of the same properties.

T/F: Certain computer programs could only be used on certain types of computers.

True When manufacturers began focusing on creating families of computers with similar hardware and instruction sets, programs could be written for one computer and easily used on all other computers in the same family.