Introduction to Computers. Assignment 1
Introduction to Computers
Written Assignment 1
Chapter 1
1. What is the most important difference between a computer and a calculator
A calculator can only process numerical data, which means, it can only work with numbers, but a computer can process alphanumerical data, such as numbers, letters, graphics, pictures, video, audio files and much more. A calculator can only be programmed to calculate numbers. A computer can use thousands different programs.
2. How are computers today similar to those from World War II? How are they different?
Similar: Computers today and those from World War II both had to be programmed. They both receive input and process information, produce output and store data.
Different: The computer from WW II were huge, bulky, and very expensive. There were only few computers at that time. ABC ( Atanasoff-Berry Computer) was created in 1939, and it was capable of solving systems of linear equations. Another computer, Mark I was created in 1944. It was 51-foot-long, 8-foot-tall monster, that was very noisy and slow, but computed ballistic tables for the US Navy. Those computers didn’t have monitors, mouse, and other input devices that we know now. They didn’t have memory, storage devices, and microprocessor. Instead of microprocessors they used vacuum tubes to store and manipulate data. Modern computers are a lot smaller, cheaper, and faster. They can use hundreds and thousands of different programs for lots of different purposes.
3. The way people use the Internet has changed since the early days. How?
In the beginning, the Internet was used only by the US government for connecting computers. Later, in 80s, it was used by researches academics and government officials for transferring data and exchange electronic mail (email).
When later, in 1990s, the WWW ( World Wide Web) was invented, people were able to transfer not only a plain text, but also pictures, sounds, videos, and other files. Since
Written Assignment 1
Chapter 1
1. What is the most important difference between a computer and a calculator
A calculator can only process numerical data, which means, it can only work with numbers, but a computer can process alphanumerical data, such as numbers, letters, graphics, pictures, video, audio files and much more. A calculator can only be programmed to calculate numbers. A computer can use thousands different programs.
2. How are computers today similar to those from World War II? How are they different?
Similar: Computers today and those from World War II both had to be programmed. They both receive input and process information, produce output and store data.
Different: The computer from WW II were huge, bulky, and very expensive. There were only few computers at that time. ABC ( Atanasoff-Berry Computer) was created in 1939, and it was capable of solving systems of linear equations. Another computer, Mark I was created in 1944. It was 51-foot-long, 8-foot-tall monster, that was very noisy and slow, but computed ballistic tables for the US Navy. Those computers didn’t have monitors, mouse, and other input devices that we know now. They didn’t have memory, storage devices, and microprocessor. Instead of microprocessors they used vacuum tubes to store and manipulate data. Modern computers are a lot smaller, cheaper, and faster. They can use hundreds and thousands of different programs for lots of different purposes.
3. The way people use the Internet has changed since the early days. How?
In the beginning, the Internet was used only by the US government for connecting computers. Later, in 80s, it was used by researches academics and government officials for transferring data and exchange electronic mail (email).
When later, in 1990s, the WWW ( World Wide Web) was invented, people were able to transfer not only a plain text, but also pictures, sounds, videos, and other files. Since