WGU D322 INTRODUCTION TO MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS 2025/2026
1st Generation of Computers - Vacuum tubes, relay switches, the need to program in
machine language
2nd Generation of Computers - Transistor components, magnetic core memory, smaller
size, easier to program, disk drives and drums, called mainframe computers
3rd Generation of Computers - Silicon chips (known as ICs - integrated circuits),
reduced cost, called mini computers, networks introduced via dumb terminals
4th Generation of Computers - Single chip processor, called microcomputer, first
personal computer, rudimentary computer graphics, home use
Moore's Law - Doubling of transistor count roughly every 18 - 24 months (exponential
increase)
Evolution of Storage - Punch cards, magnetic tape, hard disks, floppy disks, optical
discs, flash memory, cloud storage
Machine/Low-level Language - Written for a specific machine by the engineers who built
and ran the computers; no need for OS since only one program could run at a time
Assembly Language - Easier than machine but still required detailed, precise low level
instructions
Language Translator Programs - Function is to translate one program language into
another; take source code and convert it to another form; source code by itself cannot
be read by a computer
Compiler - Improve language translator; requires that the components of the software all
be defined before compilation can begin; code is more effcient
Structured Programming - Programmer is limited to high level control constructs such as
while loops, for loops, and if/else statements and not allowed to use primitive GOTO
statements
Object Oriented Programming - Characterized by the creation of windowed operating
systems, easier real-world object modeling in programming code, and the application of
inheritance in program code.
Interpreted Code - A type of programming language for which most of its
implementations execute instructions directly and freely, without previously compiling a
program into machine-language instructions.
, Shell Scripting - Small programs that place Linux commands or DOS batch files into a
file
Local Computer - The computer that the user is using; physically present with
Remote Computer - A computer being accessed over the network
Network Hub - Connects computers to each other with no real understanding of what is
being transferred; used for private networks with local computers.
Network Switch - Like a hub, but this will only send data that is intended for a specific
computer.
Router - Connects multiple networks together; can be used to directly connect
computers to a network; will relay messages to computers with appropriate IP
addresses
Wireless Access Point - Can be connected to hub, switch, or router; many routers now
also act as a wireless access point; sends out a wireless signal so computers on the
network can connect without a cable
Circuit Switched Network - Requires that a full pathway, or circuit, be est. before
transmission can begin and maintained during the entire transmission; like calling
someone on the phone
Packet Switched Network - A message's pathway is only est. as it is sent; the choice of
pathway is based on availability and amount of message traffic
Workstations - Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers
Virtual Machine (VM) - A software emulator program that permits a computer user to
use multiple computers and multiple platforms without the expense of purchasing
multiple computers; allows a user to run software for different OS platform in their
computer that would not otherwise be able to run that software; this allows multiple
users on a network to access the software to support collaboration.
Server - Computers that have greater hard disk storage, faster response time and are
used to respond to request from other computers on the network
Client-server Network - Contains one or more servers; client is a computer that will
request information from another computer; server is a computer that takes requests
and responds with the requested information; the software used facilitates
communication with remote servers
File Server - Sends files over the network at the request of clients.
ANSWERS 2025/2026
1st Generation of Computers - Vacuum tubes, relay switches, the need to program in
machine language
2nd Generation of Computers - Transistor components, magnetic core memory, smaller
size, easier to program, disk drives and drums, called mainframe computers
3rd Generation of Computers - Silicon chips (known as ICs - integrated circuits),
reduced cost, called mini computers, networks introduced via dumb terminals
4th Generation of Computers - Single chip processor, called microcomputer, first
personal computer, rudimentary computer graphics, home use
Moore's Law - Doubling of transistor count roughly every 18 - 24 months (exponential
increase)
Evolution of Storage - Punch cards, magnetic tape, hard disks, floppy disks, optical
discs, flash memory, cloud storage
Machine/Low-level Language - Written for a specific machine by the engineers who built
and ran the computers; no need for OS since only one program could run at a time
Assembly Language - Easier than machine but still required detailed, precise low level
instructions
Language Translator Programs - Function is to translate one program language into
another; take source code and convert it to another form; source code by itself cannot
be read by a computer
Compiler - Improve language translator; requires that the components of the software all
be defined before compilation can begin; code is more effcient
Structured Programming - Programmer is limited to high level control constructs such as
while loops, for loops, and if/else statements and not allowed to use primitive GOTO
statements
Object Oriented Programming - Characterized by the creation of windowed operating
systems, easier real-world object modeling in programming code, and the application of
inheritance in program code.
Interpreted Code - A type of programming language for which most of its
implementations execute instructions directly and freely, without previously compiling a
program into machine-language instructions.
, Shell Scripting - Small programs that place Linux commands or DOS batch files into a
file
Local Computer - The computer that the user is using; physically present with
Remote Computer - A computer being accessed over the network
Network Hub - Connects computers to each other with no real understanding of what is
being transferred; used for private networks with local computers.
Network Switch - Like a hub, but this will only send data that is intended for a specific
computer.
Router - Connects multiple networks together; can be used to directly connect
computers to a network; will relay messages to computers with appropriate IP
addresses
Wireless Access Point - Can be connected to hub, switch, or router; many routers now
also act as a wireless access point; sends out a wireless signal so computers on the
network can connect without a cable
Circuit Switched Network - Requires that a full pathway, or circuit, be est. before
transmission can begin and maintained during the entire transmission; like calling
someone on the phone
Packet Switched Network - A message's pathway is only est. as it is sent; the choice of
pathway is based on availability and amount of message traffic
Workstations - Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers
Virtual Machine (VM) - A software emulator program that permits a computer user to
use multiple computers and multiple platforms without the expense of purchasing
multiple computers; allows a user to run software for different OS platform in their
computer that would not otherwise be able to run that software; this allows multiple
users on a network to access the software to support collaboration.
Server - Computers that have greater hard disk storage, faster response time and are
used to respond to request from other computers on the network
Client-server Network - Contains one or more servers; client is a computer that will
request information from another computer; server is a computer that takes requests
and responds with the requested information; the software used facilitates
communication with remote servers
File Server - Sends files over the network at the request of clients.
