Section 3: Computer Hardware And History

Question 1

The first generation of computers

Answer 1

(1946-1959) ENIAC is the first real computer and is warehouse sized because of the vacuum tubes used to create it.

Question 2

Second Generation of Computers

Answer 2

(1959-mid 60s) Transistors are used in mainframes that are room-sized. COBOL and FORTRAN are the primary assembly languages.

Question 3

Third Generation of Computers

Answer 3

(mid 60s-early 70s) The beginning of modern computing, silicon chips cost six figures and integrated circuits are introduced.

Question 4

Fourth Generation of Computers

Answer 4

(early 70s-now) Microprocessors led to desktops and laptops. Input devices like GUIs, mice, and handhelds arrive. Windows is born.

Question 5

Fifth Generation of Computers

Answer 5

(now - ??) AI is used to anticipate our needs. Machine learning and quantum computing advance.

Question 6

Central processing unit (CPU)

Answer 6

Responsible for processing all information from programs. The speed of the CPU is measured in gigahertz (GHz).

Question 7

Random-Access Memory (RAM)

Answer 7

Temporarily stores information created by programs and makes it immediately accessible

Question 8

Hard drive

Answer 8

Storage device for storing permanent and temporary data. There are two kinds of hard drives. Hard disk drives (HDD) and solid state drives (SSD). HDDs write binary on spinning magnetic disks.
SSDs use static flash memory chips.

Question 9

Graphics processor unit (GPU)

Answer 9

Processes huge amounts of graphic data

Question 10

Expansion card

Answer 10

Inserted on a motherboard to add functionality to a computer system via the expansion bus, which moves information between internal hardware and peripheral devices

Question 11

Modem

Answer 11

Takes information from one system to the internet service provider (ISPs)

Question 12

Router

Answer 12

Directs traffic

Question 13

External hard drives

Answer 13

Storage

Question 14

IPOS model/Von Neumann model
(The three basic components of a computer)

Answer 14

CPU: supports data processing.
Storage: stores ephemeral programs and data in use temporarily for quick access and primarily stores it in RAM.
Peripheral devices: supports the input and output operations of the system

Question 15

Cache memory

Answer 15

Stored in the CPU and is a kind of static random access memory. (SRAM)

Question 16

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM)

Answer 16

Powering the computer off releases all of this kind of memory

Question 17

The three parts of the CPU

Answer 17

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU): contains circuitry for mathematical operations

Control Unit: contains circuitry which coordinates activity

Processor Register: contains data storage cells called registers

Question 18

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Answer 18

Stores instructions for crucial activities such as starting the computer

Question 19

Buses/ bus lines

Answer 19

The wires that serve as electrical roadways transmitting information between the CPU and other components of the computer

Question 20

Address bus

Answer 20

Carries the destination address of where the data is to be processed

Question 21

Data bus

Answer 21

Carries data between the processor, memory unit, and the input/output devices

Question 22

Control bus

Answer 22

Carries commands from the CPU; controls and coordinates all activities within the system

Question 23

Motherboard

Answer 23

Main circuit board holds the CPU, RAM and ROM

Question 24

System clock

Answer 24

Send out a pulse of electricity at regular intervals. The more pulses, the faster the computer. Measured in megahertz or gigahertz.

Question 25

Expansion slots

Answer 25

Sockets on the motherboard where expansion cards can be installed such as graphics cards, storage, network, etc.

Question 26

Ports

Answer 26

Sockets that allow cables to be plugged into the computer

Question 27

Secondary storage

Answer 27

Holds data and information permanently

Question 28

Bit

Answer 28

The smallest unit of storage, set to zero or one.
8 bits = 1 byte
1 MB = 1024 KB

Question 29

Super computer

Answer 29

The largest and fastest computer type, built as a system of thousands of processors

Question 30

Mainframe computer

Answer 30

Supports many functions at the same time

Question 31

Workstation

Answer 31

A single use computer meant for technical applications

Question 32

Micro computer

Answer 32

Personal computers