CS003L1 Computer fundamentals

PRELIM PERIOD
Name: SANDRO, MARY CHARISSE D.
Program/Section: BS-ARCH/AR32FA4

Date: 11/09/2015
Instructor: Ms. Melissa P. Juanillo, MIT
ASSIGNMENT NO.1

1. Definition of Terms:
a. Computer is a machine that works with data and information in the form of numbers.
b. Program is a collection of instructions, performing a specific task when executed by a
computer.
c. Software is the programs and other operating information used by a computer.
d. System is a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular.
e. Programming Language is a special language programmers use to develop applications,
scripts, or other set of instructions for computers to execute.
f. Flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process, showing
the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows.
g. Pseudocode is an informal high-level description of the operating principle of a
computer program or other algorithm.

2. Highlights of the History of computers:

a. Why abacus is part of history of computing?

b. How does a Pascaline works?

The pascaline works by counting the number of rotations of the wheel of spokes.
c. What is ABC Computer?
The AtanasoffBerry computer (ABC) was the first automatic electronic digital computer, an
early electronic digital computing device that has remained somewhat obscure.
d. What does ENIAC means?
The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was the first electronic generalpurpose computer. It was Turing-complete, digital, and capable of being reprogrammed to
solve "a large class of numerical problems.
e. Who is Lady Ada?
Lady Ada is Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (10 December 1815 27 November
1852) was a British mathematician and writer, chiefly known for her work on Charles
Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. Her notes on
the engine include what is recognized as the first algorithm intended to be carried out by a
machine. Because of this, she is often regarded as the first computer programmer
f. Why is it that we call the computer error as a bug?
The word bug actually is short for Bugbear. (Sometimes found as Bugaboo). Its meaning is
much closer to Gremlin, where the people who worked on engineering prototypes often

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grew to suspect that the problems were due to malicious spooks. It said that some software
is cursed with malicious spirits. The Bug or Bogey part of the word is traceable back to the
fifteenth century in the meaning of Hobgoblin, devil or ghost. In East Anglia particularly, the
word Bugbear, first recorded in the sixteenth century, is still used in referring to problems
with machinery and call it as a computer error.
How big is the first generation of computers?
The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as memory devices. The computers
were large size and very costly and used the assembly language for programming.
What is the first microprocessor?
The Intel 4004 is generally regarded as the first commercially available microprocessor, and
cost $60.The first known advertisement for the 4004 is dated November 15, 1971 and
appeared in Electronic News. The project that produced the 4004 originated in 1969,
when Busicom, a Japanese calculator manufacturer, asked Intel to build a chipset for highperformance desktop calculators.
What is the latest capacity of a hard disk?
The HGST's announcement comes less than two weeks after Seagate announced its
highest capacity enterprise hard drive, an 8TB model that bypassed helium for air. Instead
of helium, Seagate uses a technology called shingled magnetic recording (SMR) to increase
the capacity of its drives beyond 4TB.
What language does a computer understands?
The computers understand binary which translates into instructions. In order to make a
computer understand higher-level languages you need to use a compiler or interpreter.

List the capabilities and limitations of a computer:

Capabilities:

Speed: A computer can process data faster than any other machine designed to perform a
similar task.

Repetitions: A computer can tirelessly perform the same operations millions of times in
exactly the same way without getting bored and tired the way a human clerk would.

Accuracy: A computer's high-speed processing is accompanied by high-accuracy results.

No other system can have as much accuracy as a computer system.

Logical Operations: The computer can make decisions based on some conditions and
take alternative course of action accordingly.

Store and Recall Information: The computer is like human brain as it can store facts,
instructions and information and recall them when needed.

Self-Checking: The computer verifies the accuracy of its own work by means of a parity
check.

Self-Operating: Once the data and the program are fed into the computers memory, the
computer is capable of executing the instructions on its own, without human intervention.

Limitations:
A computer cannot generate information on its own.

A computer cannot correct wrong instructions.

A computer cannot come up with an original decision.

What are the classifications of computer?

Classes by size:

Microcomputers (personal computers)

Microcomputers are the most common kind of computers in use as of 2014. The term
microcomputer was introduced with the advent of systems based on single chipmicroprocessors.
The best-known early system was the Altair 8800, introduced in 1975. The term "microcomputer"
has practically become an anachronism.

These computers include:

Desktop computers A case and a display, put under and on a desk.

In-car computers Built into a car, for entertainment, navigation, etc.

Game consoles Fixed computers specialized for entertainment purposes (video games).

Smaller microcomputers are also called mobile devices:

Laptops and notebook computers Portable and all in one case.

Tablet computer Like laptops, but with a touch-screen, entirely replacing the physical keyboard.

Smartphones, smartbooks, PDAs and palmtop computers Small handheld computers with
limited hardware.

Programmable calculator Like small handhelds, but specialized on mathematical work.

Handheld game consoles The same as game consoles, but small and portable.

Minicomputers (midrange computers)

Minicomputers (colloquially, minis) are a class of multi-user computers that lie in the middle range
of the computing spectrum, in between the smallest mainframe computersand the largest singleuser systems (microcomputers or personal computers). The
term superminicomputer or supermini was used to distinguish more powerful minicomputers that

approached mainframes in capability. Superminis were usually 32-bit at a time when most
minicomputers were 16-bit.
Mainframe computers
The term mainframe computer was created to distinguish the traditional, large, institutional
computer intended to service multiple users from the smaller, single user machines.
Supercomputers
A Supercomputer is focused on performing tasks involving intense numerical calculations such as
weather forecasting, fluid dynamics, nuclear simulations, theoretical astrophysics, and complex
scientific computations. A supercomputer is a computer that is at the front-line of current
processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation. The term supercomputer itself is rather fluid,
and the speed of today's supercomputers tends to become typical of tomorrow's ordinary
computer. Supercomputer processing speeds are measured in floating point operations per
second, or FLOPS.

Classes by function:

Servers
Server usually refers to a computer that is dedicated to provide a service. For example, a computer
dedicated to a database may be called a "database server". "File servers" manage a large
collection of computer files. "Web servers" process web pages and web applications. Many smaller
servers are actually personal computers that have been dedicated to provide services for other
computers.
Workstations
Workstations are computers that are intended to serve one user and may contain special hardware
enhancements not found on a personal computer. By the mid-1990s personal computers reached
the processing capabilities of Mini computers and Workstations.
Information appliances
Information appliances are computers specially designed to perform a specific "user-friendly"
functionsuch as playing music, photography, or editing text. The term is most commonly applied
to mobile devices, though there are also portable and desktop devices of this class.
Embedded computers
Embedded computers are computers that are a part of a machine or device. Embedded computers
generally execute a program that is stored in non-volatile memory and is only intended to operate a
specific machine or device. Embedded computers are very common. Embedded computers are
typically required to operate continuously without being reset or rebooted, and once employed in
their task the software usually cannot be modified.

Classes by usage:

Public computer
Computers that are open for public uses. They are normally fire walled to prevent abuse. Most are
restricted to install software.
Personal computer
Computers that are solely for one user. The user has complete access to any part of the computer.
Display computer
Computers that are displayed in a shop. These computers are mainly for preview. These
computers are rarely firewalled but are monitored. They are likely to have internet access.