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1st Generation of Computers
(Ans- Vacuum tubes, relay switches, the need to program in machine language
2nd Generation of Computers
(Ans- Transistor components, magnetic core memory, smaller size, easier to
program, disk drives and drums, called mainframe computers
3rd Generation of Computers
(Ans- Silicon chips (known as ICs - integrated circuits), reduced cost, called mini
computers, networks introduced via dumb terminals
4th Generation of Computers
(Ans- Single chip processor, called microcomputer, first personal computer,
rudimentary computer graphics, home use
Moore's Law
(Ans- Doubling of transistor count roughly every 18 - 24 months (exponential
increase)
Evolution of Storage
(Ans- Punch cards, magnetic tape, hard disks, floppy disks, optical discs, flash
memory, cloud storage
,Machine/Low-level Language
(Ans- 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
(Ans- Easier than machine but still required detailed, precise low level instructions
Language Translator Programs
(Ans- 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
(Ans- Improve language translator; requires that the components of the software
all be defined before compilation can begin; code is more efficient
Structured Programming
(Ans- 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
(Ans- 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
(Ans- 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
(Ans- Small programs that place Linux commands or DOS batch files into a file
Local Computer
(Ans- The computer that the user is using; physically present with
Remote Computer
(Ans- A computer being accessed over the network
Network Hub
(Ans- Connects computers to each other with no real understanding of what is
being transferred; used for private networks with local computers.
, Network Switch
(Ans- Like a hub, but this will only send data that is intended for a specific
computer.
Router
(Ans- 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
(Ans- 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
(Ans- 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
(Ans- 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
(Ans- Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers