Computer Science 1030 Chapter 1

Pascal's mechanical device with gears and levers was capable of performing addition and subtraction calculations. It did not have the capability to perform multiplication or division. This device was an early form of a mechanical calculator, designed to assist with basic arithmetic operations.

Leibniz built on Pascal's work by creating the Leibniz Wheel, which was capable of performing multiplication and division calculations in addition to the calculations that Pascal's device could do. Leibniz's innovation expanded the capabilities of mechanical calculators, allowing for more complex mathematical operations to be performed efficiently.

IBM has some of its origins in the 1890 U.S. Census. During this time, the U.S. government needed a faster and more efficient way to process and analyze the massive amount of data collected in the census. This led to the development of punch card tabulating machines by Herman Hollerith, which later became the foundation for IBM. The success of these machines in data processing paved the way for the company's future innovations in computing technology.

Charles Sanders Peirce realized that electrical switches could emulate logical elements using Boolean algebra in 1880. Boolean algebra is a mathematical system that deals with logical operations and binary variables, which are represented by the states of electrical switches. Peirce's realization was significant because it paved the way for the development of digital logic and modern computer systems, where electrical switches are used to represent and manipulate binary information.

In second-generation software, donuts helped move your job up in the queue. This means that if you brought donuts to the office, it would increase your chances of getting your job done faster. However, with the development of third-generation software, specifically time-sharing, this pastry became unnecessary. Time-sharing allowed multiple users to access the computer system simultaneously, eliminating the need for donuts to prioritize job completion.

In the 1960s and 1970s, International Business Machines (IBM) controlled 70% or more of the computer marketplace. IBM was a dominant force in the industry during this time, with their mainframe computers being widely used by businesses and organizations. Their market share and technological advancements cemented their position as the leading company in the computer industry during that period.

Transistors were superior to vacuum tubes for computers because they were cheaper, smaller, and cooler. Additionally, they lasted longer than tubes.

The correct answer is an input device, memory, a central processing unit, and an output device. These four elements are essential components of today's computers. An input device allows users to input data or commands into the computer. Memory stores data and instructions for processing. The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. An output device displays or presents the processed information to the user. Together, these components form the foundation of modern computers.

The given statement is false. The next step up from the transistor in hardware is not the transmitter. The correct answer would depend on the context and the specific advancements in hardware technology.

During World War II, the ENIAC computer was not used by the U.S. military for its intended purpose. In fact, the ENIAC was not completed until after the war ended in 1945. It was primarily used for scientific and research purposes, particularly for calculations related to the development of atomic weapons. Therefore, the statement that the U.S. military used the ENIAC computer for its intended purpose during World War II is false.

The stored program concept is attributed to John Von Neumann. This concept refers to the idea of storing instructions and data in the same memory, allowing programs to be written and modified easily. It revolutionized the field of computer architecture and laid the foundation for modern computing systems.

Popular Electronics and Radio Electronics are the magazines that can be credited for the first microcomputer. These magazines played a significant role in popularizing and promoting the concept of microcomputers, which eventually led to the development of the first microcomputer.

The Altair computer had an open architecture, which means that its design and specifications were made available to the public. This allowed other companies, including IBM, to borrow and incorporate the same concept into their own computers. An open architecture allows for compatibility and interoperability between different systems and components, promoting innovation and competition in the computer industry.

The correct answer is the business market and the program VisiCalc. VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet software developed for personal computers, and it revolutionized the business world by making financial analysis and forecasting much easier and more efficient. It allowed businesses to perform complex calculations and create professional-looking spreadsheets, which greatly increased productivity and decision-making capabilities. This software played a significant role in the success and popularity of Apple computers in the business market.

In 1990, Microsoft dominated the software market with their major product, Word. Microsoft Word was a popular word processing software that revolutionized the way people created and edited documents. It offered a user-friendly interface, advanced formatting options, and became the industry standard for word processing. This dominance in the software market helped solidify Microsoft's position as a leading technology company.

Microsoft considers its major competition in operating systems to be Mac OS X. This is because Mac OS X is developed by Apple and has gained popularity among users, especially in the consumer market. Mac OS X offers a different user experience and a unique set of features compared to Microsoft's operating systems. As a result, Microsoft sees Mac OS X as a strong competitor in the operating system market.

The correct answer is the launch of Sputnik. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was created in response to the Soviet Union's successful launch of the satellite Sputnik in 1957. This event created a sense of urgency in the United States to develop advanced technology and improve communication systems, leading to the establishment of ARPA.

The correct answer is "It worked like a player piano." The Jacquard loom is important in the history of computing because it was one of the earliest machines to use punched cards to control the weaving process. These punched cards contained patterns of holes that corresponded to specific instructions, similar to how a player piano reads rolls of paper with holes to produce music. This innovation allowed for the automation of complex weaving patterns and laid the foundation for the development of early computer programming concepts.

Marc Andreessen released the application called Mosaic that made browsers widespread. Mosaic was one of the first web browsers with a graphical user interface, making it easier for users to navigate and access information on the internet. Its user-friendly design and features paved the way for the widespread adoption of web browsers and played a significant role in popularizing the internet among the general public.

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