Computers Basic MCQs Set-10

The term "computer" is derived from the Latin word "computare," which means "to calculate." The word "computer" was originally used to refer to a person who performed calculations, typically as part of their job, such as an accountant or a clerk. The modern meaning of the term "computer" emerged in the mid-20th century, with the development of electronic digital computers that could perform calculations automatically and quickly. Since then, the term "computer" has come to refer to a wide range of electronic devices, from desktop and laptop computers to tablets, smartphones, and other computing devices.

The "Difference Engine" was designed by Charles Babbage, an English mathematician and inventor who lived in the 19th century. Babbage is often considered to be one of the fathers of computing, as he developed the concept of a programmable mechanical calculator and designed several early computing devices, including the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine. The Difference Engine was designed to automatically compute and print mathematical tables, using a complex series of gears and other mechanical components. Although Babbage was never able to build a working prototype of the Difference Engine during his lifetime, his designs and ideas were highly influential in the development of modern computing.

• The concept of a programmable computer was developed by several inventors and pioneers in the field of computing, and it is difficult to attribute the title of "father of the computer" to a single individual. However, some of the most significant early contributors to the development of computing include Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and Alan Turing.
• Charles Babbage, an English mathematician and inventor, is often credited with the concept of a programmable mechanical calculator, which he called the "Analytical Engine." Although he was never able to complete a working prototype of the Analytical Engine during his lifetime, his designs and ideas were highly influential in the development of modern computing.
• Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and writer who worked closely with Babbage, is credited with developing the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine, and is considered by many to be the first computer programmer.
• Alan Turing, a British mathematician and computer scientist, is often credited with developing the concept of a universal machine, which could perform any computation that could be carried out by a human computer. He also played a significant role in cracking the German Enigma code during World War II, using early computer technology.
• Overall, the development of computing was the result of the work of many individuals over a period of several decades, and it is difficult to attribute the title of "father of the computer" to a single person.

• The title of "father of computer science" is often attributed to Alan Turing, a British mathematician and computer scientist who lived in the 20th century. Turing was a pioneer in the field of computing, and is considered to be one of the founders of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence.
• Turing is perhaps best known for his work during World War II, when he played a key role in cracking the German Enigma code using early computer technology. After the war, he continued to work in the field of computing, and made significant contributions to the development of computer science, including the concept of a universal machine, which could perform any computation that could be carried out by a human computer.
• Turing also proposed the Turing test, a method of testing a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior that is still widely used today in the field of artificial intelligence. Overall, Turing's work laid the foundation for many of the concepts and techniques used in modern computer science, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of computing.

• The title of "father of the personal computer" is often attributed to several individuals who played significant roles in the development of personal computers, including Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak of Apple Computer, and Bill Gates and Paul Allen of Microsoft.
• In the mid-1970s, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs designed and built the Apple I, a personal computer that was sold as a kit for hobbyists. The success of the Apple I led to the development of the Apple II, which became one of the most popular personal computers of the 1980s.
• Around the same time, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft, which developed software for personal computers, including the MS-DOS operating system, which was widely used on early IBM PC-compatible computers.
• Overall, the development of personal computers was the result of the work of many individuals and companies over a period of several decades, and it is difficult to attribute the title of "father of the personal computer" to a single person. However, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen are often recognized as some of the most significant pioneers in the field.

A CPU, or central processing unit, is the primary component of a computer's processing power. It is a complex integrated circuit that contains several key components, including:

1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): This component performs arithmetic and logical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and comparison.
2. Control Unit (CU): This component directs the flow of data and instructions between the various components of the CPU and the computer's memory.
3. Registers: These are small, high-speed memory locations within the CPU that are used to temporarily store data and instructions during processing.
4. Cache memory: This is a small amount of high-speed memory located within the CPU that is used to store frequently accessed data and instructions, in order to speed up processing.
5. Clock: The clock provides a timing signal to synchronize the operation of the CPU's components.
6. Instruction Decoder: This component decodes the instructions fetched from memory and determines the appropriate operation to be performed.

The first computers were programmed using machine language or assembly language. Machine language is a low-level programming language that uses binary code (0s and 1s) to communicate with the computer's hardware. Assembly language, on the other hand, uses mnemonics or symbols that represent specific instructions to make it easier for programmers to write code that is more human-readable. Both machine language and assembly language require a deep understanding of the computer's architecture and can be challenging to work with. As technology progressed, higher-level programming languages such as FORTRAN and COBOL were developed to make programming more accessible and efficient.

• A network is a combination of hardware and software that facilitates the sharing of information between computing devices. A network allows multiple computers and devices to communicate with each other and share resources, such as files, printers, and internet connections.
• The hardware components of a network include devices such as routers, switches, hubs, and network interface cards (NICs), which enable communication between devices. The software components include protocols and services that facilitate communication, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite, domain name system (DNS), and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).