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F21/1947/2012 ANGELA WAITHERA NABA FEB 116 ASSIGNMENT 1. A computer is known as a data processor because it is an electronic device which manipulates data into information and gives desired output to the user by using programs stored in the computer. The microprocessor carries out the processing of data in the computer. 2. First generation-this were from the period between 1940 and 1956. They weighed up to 30000 tonnes and used 50 kilowatts of power. They were very slow and used vacuum tube for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. They would also generate a lot of heat. Second generation-these were developed in the period between 1956 and 1963. They used transistors as a replacement for vacuum tubes. They used symbolic languages as compared to binary cryptic language. Third generation-were developed between 1964 and 1971. They used integrated circuits which were mounted on silicon chips know as semi-conductors. This increased the efficiency and speed of the computers. They were relatively smaller and cheaper than the previous generation. Fourth generation-were developed between 1972 and 1984. There was development of large scale and very large scale integrated circuits. There was development of programming languages like functional programming and programming in logic. Fifth generation-were developed between 1984 to present day. These computers could perform parallel processing. They used artificial intelligence. They used microprocessors that could process data at very high speeds. 3. Fifth generation computers used artificial intelligence while fourth generation used integrated circuits. Fifth generation computers were generally cheaper, smaller and more portable than the fourth generation computers. Fifth generation computers also used more advanced programming language and could process data faster than fourth generation computers. 4. The third generation computers were smaller because of the development of a small chip consisting of the capacity of 300 transistors, registers and capacitors all on the same chip which was small hence the decrease in size. 5. (a)Versatility- this means that the computer is capable of performing different tasks provided that the tasks can be reduced to a series of logical steps. (b)Storage-this is where computers stores its data. There is the primary storage known as the main memory located inside the computer and the secondary storage is external with devices like the flash disks and compact disks. (c)Slide rule-this is a mechanical analogue computer used primarily for computing calculations of multiplication and division and also for functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry. (d)Babbage’s analytical engine-it was created by Charles Babbage between 1834 and 1871. It was the first fully automatic calculating machine. It was designed to evaluate any mathematical formula and to have even higher powers of analysis. 6. Mainframes are computers used mainly by large organizations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census. Microprocessors are smaller and occupy less space used for smaller processing function like in businesses or as a personal computer.