Historical Development of computers II - JSS1 Computer Sudies Past Questions and Answers - page 2
What major transformation occurred in the computing landscape during the fourth generation?
Shift to mainframe systems
Introduction of assembly language programming
Rise of personal computers (PCs)
Dependence on vacuum tubes
Which graphical elements contributed to the simplification of interaction with computers in the fourth generation?
Assembly Language
Transistors
Integrated Circuits
Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
What played a pivotal role in the democratization of computing power during the fourth generation?
Vacuum Tubes
Microprocessors
Integrated Circuits
Magnetic Core Memory
What technological advancements characterize the fifth generation of computers?
Transistors and Magnetic Core Memory
Vacuum Tubes and Batch Processing
Parallel Processing and Artificial Intelligence
Microprocessors and Graphical User Interfaces
What distinguishes fifth-generation computers from their predecessors in terms of processing capability?
Sequential Processing
Vacuum Tubes
Parallel Processing
Microprocessors
What technology contributes to the miniaturization of components in fifth-generation computers?
Transistors
Integrated Circuits
Microprocessors
Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) circuits
What application areas benefit from the capabilities of fifth-generation computers?
Parallel Processing and Magnetic Core Memory
Business and Science
Transistors and Assembly Language
Vacuum Tubes and Punched Card Systems
Which generation of computers witnessed the rise of personal computers and a software-centric approach?
Second Generation
Third Generation
Fourth Generation
Fifth Generation
What era did the fourth generation of computers lay the foundation for?
The Era of Vacuum Tubes
The Era of Integrated Circuits
The Era of Personal Computing
The Era of Transistors
Discuss the characteristics and limitations of first-generation computers, focusing on their use of vacuum tubes. Provide an example, such as the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), and explain its significance in complex mathematical calculations during World War II.
First-generation computers were characterized by the use of vacuum tubes as their primary electronic components. The ENIAC, completed in 1945, is a notable example. It consisted of over 17,000 vacuum tubes, occupying a large room. While significant for complex mathematical calculations during World War II, the limitations of vacuum tubes, such as their size, fragility, and heat generation, impacted the efficiency and size of these early computers.