Generation of Computers & History

Generation of computer 1st to 5th 1. Which generation of computers used machine code as the programming language?  Ⓐ Fourth  Ⓑ First  Ⓒ Seco...

Generation of computer 1st to 5th

1. Which generation of computers used machine code as the programming language?

 Ⓐ Fourth

 Ⓑ First

 Ⓒ Second

 Ⓓ Third

Answer :  Ⓑ First 

Explain : The first generation of computers, typically associated with the 1940s to the early 1950s, used machine code as their primary programming language. These early computers operated using binary code, which consisted of strings of 0s and 1s. Programmers wrote instructions directly in this machine code, which was specific to each computer's architecture. As a result, programming was quite challenging and required a deep understanding of the hardware. This era also saw the use of punch cards and assembly language, which provided a slightly more abstract way to interact with the machine but still required detailed knowledge of the underlying machine code.

2. Arrange the following computers in the chronological order of their generation.

 i) ENIAC

 ii) PDP-8

 iii) NCR 395

 iv) Apple II

 Ⓐ i, ii, iii, iv

 Ⓑ iv, iii, ii, i

 Ⓒ ii, i, iii, iv

 Ⓓ i, ii, iv, iii

Answer :  Ⓐ i, ii, iii, iv

Explain : Here's the chronological order of the computers listed based on their generation:

• ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) - Developed in the 1940s and completed in 1945, it is one of the earliest general-purpose electronic digital computers.
• NCR 395 - Introduced in the early 1960s, it was a mid-range computer from NCR and part of the third generation of computers, which used integrated circuits.
• PDP-8 - Released in 1965 by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), the PDP-8 is considered one of the first successful commercial minicomputers and belongs to the third generation.
• Apple II - Launched in 1977, it is one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products and is categorized in the fourth generation of computers.

3. First-generation computers can be characterized as ______ .

 Ⓐ mainframes

 Ⓑ super computers

 Ⓒ digital computers

 Ⓓ analogue computers

Answer :  Ⓓ analogue computers

Explain : First-generation computers primarily refer to the early electronic digital computers, which used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. However, there were also early analog computers that were developed around the same time, primarily used for specific calculations and simulations.

Here are a few notable first-generation analog computers:

• Differential Analyzer : Developed in the 1930s, it could solve differential equations using mechanical components. It used rotating shafts and gears to perform calculations.
• Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) : While ENIAC is primarily known as a digital computer, it also had capabilities to perform certain analog computations through its complex wiring and configuration.
• Nicolas Minorsky's Servo-Mechanism : Developed in the 1920s and 1930s, this analog computer was used for automatic ship steering and could simulate dynamic systems.

Analog computers were generally used for scientific and engineering applications, solving problems related to differential equations and modeling physical systems. They were eventually supplanted by digital computers due to the latter's versatility and ease of use.

4. The UNIVAC I was the first general-purpose electronic digital computer designed in the United States for corporate applications. What is the full form of UNIVAC?

Ⓐ Universal Automatic Computer 

Ⓑ Universal Asynchronous Computer

Ⓒ Universal Automatic Calculator 

Ⓓ United Automatic Computer

Answer : Ⓐ Universal Automatic Computer

Explain :  The Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) was one of the earliest commercially available computers, developed in the early 1950s. Here are some key points about UNIVAC

• Development : UNIVAC was designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, who were also behind the ENIAC. The first model, UNIVAC I, was completed in 1951.
• Significance : UNIVAC was the first computer to be produced in quantity and to be used in a business environment. It played a crucial role in popularizing the concept of computers for commercial use.
• Architecture : UNIVAC I used vacuum tubes for processing and magnetic tape for storage, operating with a binary system. It was capable of performing a variety of calculations and tasks, including data processing and statistical analysis.
• Historical Impact : One of the most famous uses of UNIVAC was during the 1952 U.S. presidential election, where it was used to predict the outcome. Its prediction of Dwight D. Eisenhower's victory garnered significant attention.
• Legacy : The success of UNIVAC helped pave the way for the development of future computers and influenced the design of subsequent computer architectures. UNIVAC marked a significant step in the evolution of computing, demonstrating the potential for computers in various sectors beyond academic and military applications.

5. Graphical User Interface (GUI) was developed during which of the following generations of computer?

Ⓐ Third Generation 

Ⓑ Fourth Generation 

Ⓒ Second Generation 

Ⓓ First Generation

Answer : Ⓑ Fourth Generation

Explain :  The development of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) indeed became prominent during the Fourth Generation of computers, which started in the late 1970s and continued into the 1990s. Here are some key points about the emergence of GUIs

• Origins : While concepts for graphical interfaces began earlier (like the Sketchpad program in the 1960s), the first true GUI was developed at Xerox PARC in the 1970s. The Xerox Alto, introduced in 1973, featured a bitmap display and used windows, icons, and menus.
• Commercialization : The GUI became more widely known with the introduction of the Apple Macintosh in 1984. Apple's interface was user-friendly, allowing users to interact with the computer using a mouse to manipulate graphical elements instead of typing commands.
• Microsoft Windows : Following the success of the Macintosh, Microsoft introduced Windows in 1985, which further popularized GUIs on personal computers, making them a standard interface for operating systems.
• Impact : GUIs revolutionized computing by making it more accessible to non-technical users, allowing for intuitive navigation and interaction. This shift played a significant role in the widespread adoption of personal computers. the Fourth Generation of computers saw GUIs become a defining feature, transforming how people interacted with technology and setting the stage for modern computing interfaces.

6. Which among the following is not an example of the 4th Generation of Computer?

 Ⓐ STAR 1000

 Ⓑ TRS-80

 Ⓒ ICL 2900

 Ⓓ Apple II

Answer :   Ⓒ ICL 2900

Explain : The ICL 2900 series, developed by International Computers Limited (ICL) in the late 1970s, is considered part of the Fourth Generation of computers. Here are some key points about the ICL 2900 series:

• Introduction : The ICL 2900 series was launched in 1978 and was designed for both business and scientific applications. It was known for its innovative architecture and was one of the first to support a range of operating systems and programming languages.
• Architecture : The ICL 2900 utilized a stack-based architecture and featured advanced hardware design, including support for virtual memory, which allowed it to efficiently manage larger datasets.
• Multiprocessing : It supported multiprocessing, enabling multiple processors to work on tasks simultaneously, enhancing performance and reliability.
• Software : The system was compatible with a range of software and supported both batch processing and interactive environments, making it versatile for various applications.
• Legacy : The ICL 2900 series was influential in the development of subsequent computer architectures and operating systems, particularly in the realms of data processing and management. The ICL 2900 series exemplifies the advances in computing power, usability, and software capabilities that characterized the Fourth Generation of computers.

7. Apple II is an example of ______ Generation of computer.

 Ⓐ First

 Ⓑ Fourth

 Ⓒ Second

 Ⓓ Third

Answer :  Ⓑ Fourth

8. Which among the following generations of Computer used vacuum tubes?

 Ⓐ Fourth Generation

 Ⓑ First Generation

 Ⓒ Third Generation

 Ⓓ Second Generation

Answer :  Ⓑ First Generation

Explain : The first generation of computers, which spanned from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s, used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. These machines were large, expensive, and consumed a lot of electricity, generating significant heat. Notable examples include the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) and the UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer). Vacuum tubes were eventually replaced by transistors, marking the beginning of the second generation of computers.

9. Which of the following statements is/are true about Moore’s Law?

(i) The number of transistors on a chip would double every year.

(ii) The costs of a chip would be halved every two years.

Ⓐ (ii) only 

Ⓑ Both (i) and (ii) 

Ⓒ (i) only 

Ⓓ Neither (i) nor (ii)

Answer : Ⓐ(ii) only 

10. Who began developing the first mechanical computer in 1822?

Ⓐ Ada Lovelace 

Ⓑ Joseph Marie Jacquard 

Ⓒ Herman Hollerith 

Ⓓ Charles Babbage

Answer : Ⓓ Charles Babbage

Explain : Charles Babbage is often credited with designing the first mechanical computer in the early 19th century. His most famous invention was the Analytical Engine, proposed in 1837. It was a groundbreaking design that featured components such as an arithmetic logic unit, control flow through conditional branching and loops, and memory—all concepts foundational to modern computing. Before the Analytical Engine, he also developed the Difference Engine, which was designed to calculate and print mathematical tables. The Difference Engine was partially completed during his lifetime, but the Analytical Engine remained largely theoretical. Babbage's work laid the groundwork for future computing, influencing many later developments in technology.

11. Which generation of computers is characterized by vacuum tube?

Ⓐ Second generation computers

Ⓑ First generation computers

Ⓒ Third generation computers

Ⓓ Fourth generation computers

Answer :  Ⓑ First generation computers

12. Which of the following was the first general-purpose electronic digital computer designed in the United States for corporate applications?

 Ⓐ Z3 machine

 Ⓑ Turing machine

 Ⓒ UNIVAC I

 Ⓓ ENIAC

Answer :   Ⓓ ENIAC

13. Patient monitoring system, pharma information system, lab-diagnostic system etc. are applications of  computer in which of the following fields?

Ⓐ Banking 

Ⓑ Marketing 

Ⓒ Insurance 

Ⓓ Healthcare

Answer :  Ⓓ Healthcare

14. PARAM supercomputer belongs to which generation of computers?

Ⓐ Fifth 

Ⓑ Third 

Ⓒ First 

Ⓓ Second

Answer :  Ⓐ Fifth

Explain : The PARAM supercomputer series, developed in India, represents a significant advancement in computing technology, particularly in the 1990s. It is considered part of the **fourth generation** of computers, which began in the 1970s and includes systems that use microprocessors and very large scale integration (VLSI) technology.

The first PARAM supercomputer, PARAM 8000, was introduced in 1991 by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune. PARAM supercomputers were designed to perform high-performance computing tasks and played a crucial role in various scientific and engineering applications. In summary, the PARAM series belongs to the fourth generation of computers, characterized by their use of microprocessors, parallel processing capabilities, and advanced computational techniques. If you’d like more details about specific models or their applications, feel free to ask!

15. LTE technology is used in which of the following generation of wireless technologies?

Ⓐ 3G 

Ⓑ 4G 

Ⓒ 1G 

Ⓓ 2G

Answer :  Ⓑ 4G

Explain : 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a mobile telecommunications standard that provides high-speed wireless broadband access to mobile devices. Here are some key features and aspects of 4G LTE technology:

Speed and Performance

• Data Rates : 4G LTE supports theoretical maximum download speeds of up to 300 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 75 Mbps, though actual speeds are typically lower.
• Latency : It significantly reduces latency compared to previous generations, improving response times for applications.
• Technology OFDM : 4G LTE uses Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) for efficient data transmission, allowing multiple signals to be sent simultaneously over the same channel.
• MIMO : Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology enables multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver ends, improving data throughput and reliability.

LTE uses a simplified network architecture, reducing the number of nodes and improving efficiency. 4G LTE is based on an all-IP network, allowing voice, video, and data services to be delivered over a unified platform.  Supports high-definition video streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, and other data-intensive applications. 4G LTE networks have been widely deployed around the world, providing faster and more reliable mobile internet access.

16. ENIAC, EDVAC, etc. are examples of ______ generation computers.

 Ⓐ first

 Ⓑ second

 Ⓒ fourth

 Ⓓ third

Answer :  Ⓐ first

17. Which of the following does NOT belong to the category of microcomputers?

 Ⓐ Cray-1

 Ⓑ Desktop computers

 Ⓒ Workstations

 Ⓓ Palmtop computers

Answer :  Ⓐ Cray-1

18. Computers like desktop computers, laptops and palmtop computers can be classified as ______.

 Ⓐ mini computers

 Ⓑ personal computers

 Ⓒ super computers

 Ⓓ mainframe computers

Answer :  Ⓑ personal computers

19. Sir Tim Berners-Lee — a British computer scientist invented the revolutionary World Wide Web in ______.

Ⓐ 1990 

Ⓑ 1985 

Ⓒ 1995 

Ⓓ 1982

Answer :  Ⓐ1990

20. __________ is also known as electronic disk.

Ⓐ Solid State Drive

Ⓑ USB Sticks

Ⓒ USB Hard Drives

Ⓓ Network Storages Servers

Answer :  Ⓐ Solid State Drive

21. ____________ is the oldest type of Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

Ⓐ Quad Core

Ⓑ Dual Core

Ⓒ Triple Core

Ⓓ Single Core

Answer :  Ⓓ Single Core

22. Which among the following generations of computer used the technology of transistors for the first time?

Ⓐ First

Ⓑ Second

Ⓒ Third

Ⓓ Fourth

Answer :  Ⓑ Second

23. Which of the following is not a magnetic disk?

Ⓐ Winchester Disk

Ⓑ Zip Disk

Ⓒ Disk Pack

Ⓓ DVD

Answer :  Ⓓ DVD