EECS 1520 Final-Questions, Answers| Newest
Update 2026/2027
abacus
earliest computing device to aid in numerical calculations developed over 5000 years ago in
Babylonia.
algorithm
finite set of clear instructions in order to solve a problem
examples:
1) Euclidean algorithm: used to find GCD of 2 numbers
2) Sieve of eratosthenes: finding prime numbers
calculating machines
manual or mechanical until pocket calculators were introduced in 1900s
punch cards
Created by Jacquard Loom (1801). Wooden or cardboard pieces with punched holes in specific
positions; used to store and process information
Boolean Algebra
laid the foundation for digital computing circuitry
Claude Shannon
- considered the father of modern info age
- applied Boolean algebra in digital computing devices
,Von Neumann architecture
- Stored Program with CPU, memory, storage, input/output
- Basis for modern computers, rewired so computers can do more than 1 task
Alan Turing
- led WW2 research group
- propsed the turing machine
enigma machine
German code machine broken by the Allies and used to predict what the Germans would do
the ENIAC
- first general-purpose electronic digital computer.
- used vacuum tubes
- did not use von neumann architecture
mainframe
high performance computer made for high processor-intensive computing (computers and
vacuum tubes got smaller overtime)
Grace Murray Hopper
created the first complier improving programming speed and efficiency
Compiler
converts human-written syntax code into machine assembly language (0s and 1s)
, Transistor
- Replaced vacuum tube
- allows the placement of many transistors
- allowed computers to get smaller and cheaper to build
- first device built with transistors was the hearing aid
IBM system
family of computers with compatible architecture, established a standard for future mainframes.
Margaret Hamilton
Led the team who coded programming for the guidance computer. Considered a pioneer in
software engineering.
Gordon Bell
developed the first mini computer, created univac
DEC PDP series
offered mainframe at a fraction of the cost
Supercomputers
- used for scientific computing like weather forecasting
- focused to execute a few programs as fast as possible
Intel 4004 Microprocessor
First commercially available microprocessor. Made the first pc possible with 2300 transistors
running at 100 kHz
Update 2026/2027
abacus
earliest computing device to aid in numerical calculations developed over 5000 years ago in
Babylonia.
algorithm
finite set of clear instructions in order to solve a problem
examples:
1) Euclidean algorithm: used to find GCD of 2 numbers
2) Sieve of eratosthenes: finding prime numbers
calculating machines
manual or mechanical until pocket calculators were introduced in 1900s
punch cards
Created by Jacquard Loom (1801). Wooden or cardboard pieces with punched holes in specific
positions; used to store and process information
Boolean Algebra
laid the foundation for digital computing circuitry
Claude Shannon
- considered the father of modern info age
- applied Boolean algebra in digital computing devices
,Von Neumann architecture
- Stored Program with CPU, memory, storage, input/output
- Basis for modern computers, rewired so computers can do more than 1 task
Alan Turing
- led WW2 research group
- propsed the turing machine
enigma machine
German code machine broken by the Allies and used to predict what the Germans would do
the ENIAC
- first general-purpose electronic digital computer.
- used vacuum tubes
- did not use von neumann architecture
mainframe
high performance computer made for high processor-intensive computing (computers and
vacuum tubes got smaller overtime)
Grace Murray Hopper
created the first complier improving programming speed and efficiency
Compiler
converts human-written syntax code into machine assembly language (0s and 1s)
, Transistor
- Replaced vacuum tube
- allows the placement of many transistors
- allowed computers to get smaller and cheaper to build
- first device built with transistors was the hearing aid
IBM system
family of computers with compatible architecture, established a standard for future mainframes.
Margaret Hamilton
Led the team who coded programming for the guidance computer. Considered a pioneer in
software engineering.
Gordon Bell
developed the first mini computer, created univac
DEC PDP series
offered mainframe at a fraction of the cost
Supercomputers
- used for scientific computing like weather forecasting
- focused to execute a few programs as fast as possible
Intel 4004 Microprocessor
First commercially available microprocessor. Made the first pc possible with 2300 transistors
running at 100 kHz
