CSI 102 - Chap 1

Micro-processor:

A CPU on a single chip used in microcomputers.

Assembly Language:

A Human-readable language used to represent numeric computer instructions

Boolean Logic:

A logical system that uses truth tables to indicate T / F output based on T / F inputs.

Chip:

A piece of encased silicon. usually the size of your finger nail that holds IC's

Software:

A program for managing all the computers' jobs.

Browser:

A program that accesses and displays files on a network or internet.

Transistor:

A signal amplifier much smaller than a vacuum tube used to represent a 1 or 0.

GUI:

An interface to the computer that uses graphics instead of text.

Von Neumann Machine:

Computer architecture that allows for: I/O, processing and memory inc stored program concept.

Open architecture:

Computer hardware that is accessible for modification and sometimes even documented.

Embedded Computers

Computers embedded into other devices: a phone, car or thermometer.

Hypermedia:

Different sorts of info that are linked in such a way that that a user can move and see content easily from 1 link to another.

The U.S. military used the ENIAC computer for its intended purpose during World War II.

False

Hypertext:

Media that is specifically text.

Mini-computer:

Mid-sized computer introduced in the mid - late 60's costing 10K vs 100K for mainframes.

Integrated Circuit:

Miniaturized transistors in solid silicon. Has electronic conducting and non-conducting channels etched into their surface.

OS:

Software that allows applications access to hardware resources.

Open Source:

Software with source code that is accessible and potentially even documented for modification.

Program Loop:

The capability of a program to "loop back" and repear commands.

CPU:

The central controlling device inside a computer that makes decisions at a very low level.

Super Computer:

The fastest and usually most expensive computer available. Used for research by engineers and scientists

Parallel Computing:

The use of multiple computers or CPUs to process a single task simultaneously.

In 1990 what software company dominated the software market and what major product did it sell.

a. Lotus and Lotus 1-2-3

Marc Andreessen released what application that made browsers wide spread.

a. Netscape.

Name the three most likely critical large-scale developments of the fifth generation of software development from this list of options:

a. Parallel computing, networking and the multiple-data-stream approach

IBM has some of its origins in what 1890 event?

a. The U.S. census.

In hardware, the next step up from the transistor was the transmitter.

b. False

Name 4 important elements of Babbage's Engine that are components of today's computer.

c. An input device, memory, a central processing unit and an output device.

ARPA was created in response to what major event in world history.

c. The launch of Sputnik

Killer App:

A SW program that becomes so popular that it drives the drives the popularity of the HW it runs on.

Time Sharing:

A computer's ability to share its computing time with many users simultaneously

Abacus

A counting device with sliding beads. Used mainly for adding and subtracting.

Micro-computer:

A desk-sized computer with a CPU designed to be used by 1 person at a time

PC:

A desktop-sized computer with a CPU designed to be used by 1 person at a time.

Slide Rule:

A device that can perform complicated math by using sliding guides on a ruler.

Mainframe:

A large computer serving many terminals, used by large organizations. A 1st gen system.

Vacuum Tubes:

A signal amplifier that preceded the transistor. Takes more power, larger and burns out faster.

Binary Code:

The numeric language of a computer based on the binary system of 1s and 0s.

What important concept is attributed to John Von Neumann?

b. Stored Program concept.

Stored Program Concept:

The idea that a computer can be operated by a program loaded into the machine's memory

Hardware:

The physical device on which software runs

Ubiquitous Computing:

The possibility of computers being embedded into almost anything and potentially able to communicate.

In 1642 Pascal created a mechanical device with gears and levers. This device was capable of what kind of calculation.

b. Addition and Subtraction

What company controlled 70% or more of the computer marketplace in the 60's and 70's.

b. IBM

What magazine can you thank for the first microcomputer?

b. Popular Electronics and Radio Electronics.

The Jacquard loom is important in the history of computing for what innovation.

b. Reusable cards with holes that held information.

What logical elements did Charles Sanders Peirce realize electrical switches could emulate in 1880?

c. Boolean algebra.

What important pastry helped move your job up in the queue in second-generation software, and what third generation software development made that pastry unnecessary?

c. Donuts and time-sharing.

Today, Microsoft considers its major competition in operating systems to be what system.

c. Linux operating system.

Which important concept did the Altair use, which was borrowed by its competition, including the IBM personal computer?

c. The machine had an open architecture.

Leibniz built on Pascal's work by creating the Leibniz Wheel. This device was capable of what kind of calculations in addition to the ones Pascal's could do.

d. Multiplication and Division

The Apple computer became very popular. What was its largest market and what software made it interesting to that market?

d. The business market and the program VisiCalc.

What features of transistors made superior for computers, compared with vacuum tubes?

d. They were cheaper, smaller and cooler than tubes and lasted longer.