CS200 Prominent Figures in Programming History

Question 1

Who is considered the father of modern computing and formalized the concept of an abstract machine that can simulate any algorithm?
a) Alan Turing
b) John von Neumann
c) Alonzo Church
d) Charles Babbage

Answer 1

Alan Turing

Question 2

Which mathematician developed the binary numeral system, which became the foundation of digital computers?
a) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
b) Blaise Pascal
c) Ada Lovelace
d) John Napier

Answer 2

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Question 3

Alonzo Church is known for which major contribution to computer science?
a) The design of the first mechanical computer
b) The development of Lambda Calculus
c) The invention of the first compiler
d) The creation of binary logic

Answer 3

The development of Lambda Calculus

Question 4

Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi is best known for his work in:
a) Developing the first algorithm for sorting data
b) Introducing the concept of the algorithm
c) Building the first analog computer
d) Creating the first high-level programming language

Answer 4

Introducing the concept of the algorithm

Question 5

Ada Lovelace is often referred to as the first computer programmer due to her work on:
a) The design of the first binary computer
b) Writing an algorithm for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine
c) Developing machine code for the ENIAC
d) Writing the first high-level programming language

Answer 5

Writing an algorithm for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine

Question 6

The mathematician who is credited with laying the foundations for modern computer science through his concept of a universal machine.

Answer 6

Alan Turing

Question 7

The Persian mathematician who introduced the concept of the algorithm, giving us the term still used today in computer science.

Answer 7

Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi

Question 8

The individual responsible for developing Lambda Calculus, which laid the groundwork for functional programming.

Answer 8

Alonzo Church

Question 9

The German mathematician who developed the binary number system, crucial for digital computing.

Answer 9

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Question 10

The 19th-century figure often celebrated as the world’s first programmer for her work on the

Answer 10

Analytical Engine.
Ada Lovelace

Question 11

TRUE/FALSE:
Alan Turing’s Turing Machine concept is essential for understanding the limits of what can be computed by machines.

Answer 11

T

Question 12

TRUE/FALSE:
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz created one of the first mechanical computers.

Answer 12

False (Leibniz developed the binary system, not a mechanical computer)

Question 13

TRUE/FALSE:
Alonzo Church’s Lambda Calculus had no influence on modern programming languages.

Answer 13

False (Lambda Calculus is the foundation for functional programming languages)

Question 14

TRUE/FALSE:
Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi is considered the inventor of algorithms, and his work influenced the development of algebra.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

Who among the following contributed to the creation of the stored-program concept, which is a key feature in modern computers?
a) John von Neumann
b) Alan Turing
c) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
d) Charles Babbage

Answer 15

John von Neumann

Question 15

TRUE/FALSE:
Ada Lovelace wrote detailed notes on how to use Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, including the first algorithm intended to be carried out by a machine.

Answer 15

T

Question 16

Which of the following historical figures contributed to the development of object-oriented programming concepts?
a) Kristen Nygaard and Ole-Johan Dahl
b) Ada Lovelace
c) Alonzo Church
d) Alan Turing

Answer 16

Kristen Nygaard and Ole-Johan Dahl

Question 17

John von Neumann is known for developing:
a) The binary numeral system
b) The architecture for modern digital computers
c) The theory of NP-completeness
d) The concept of relational databases

Answer 17

The architecture for modern digital computers

Question 18

Which mathematician is recognized for advancing game theory, which has applications in economics, computing, and strategic decision-making?
a) Charles Babbage
b) Alan Turing
c) John von Neumann
d) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Answer 18

John von Neumann

Question 19

Grace Hopper contributed to the development of which significant early programming tool?
a) The first compiler
b) Lambda Calculus
c) The binary system
d) The Analytical Engine

Answer 19

The first compiler

Question 20

The person who conceptualized the Von Neumann architecture, a foundational model for modern computers.

Answer 20

John von Neumann

Question 21

The creator of Lambda Calculus, a formal system for expressing computation via function abstraction and application.

Answer 21

Alonzo Church

Question 22

The individual often referred to as the “Mother of COBOL” and known for creating the first compiler.

Answer 22

Grace Hopper

Question 23

The 17th-century mathematician whose work on binary arithmetic became the foundation for digital computers.

Answer 23

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Question 24

The developers of Simula, considered the first object-oriented programming language.

Answer 24

Kristen Nygaard and Ole-Johan Dahl

Question 25

TRUE/FALSE:
John von Neumann’s work on the stored-program concept allows computers to store programs in their memory and execute instructions sequentially.

Answer 25

T

Question 26

TRUE/FALSE:
Ada Lovelace designed and built the first working mechanical computer.

Answer 26

False (She wrote an algorithm for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, but it was never built)

Question 27

TRUE/FALSE:
Alonzo Church’s Lambda Calculus is a foundational concept for the functional programming paradigm.

Answer 27

T

Question 28

TRUE/FALSE:
Grace Hopper is credited with coining the term “bug” to describe a computer glitch.

Answer 28

T

Question 29

TRUE/FALSE:
Charles Babbage created the Turing Machine, which forms the theoretical basis for modern computation.

Answer 29

False (The Turing Machine was conceptualized by Alan Turing, not Babbage)