Download Cecilia Erick Kirimi: B66/0838/2011

Cecilia Erick Kirimi: B66/0838/2011
ASSYGNMENT I
1. Why is the computer known as the data processor?
This is because it processes the basic raw facts and figures (data) using a set of instructions
(programs) to produce the required output or information. The processing may involve
calculations, comparison, decision making and other logic to produce the required information.
2. Describe the various generations in computer technology.
a) First generation 1946-1956:
This type of computer generation relied on vacuum tubes to store and process data. The tubes
consumed a lot of power, were short-lived and generated a lot of heat. It used magnetic drum memories
with a size of about 2000bytes.The speed was about 10kiloinstructions per second. Such computers
included Universal Automatic Computers and IBM 650.
b) Second generation 1957-1963:
The computers in this generation relied on transistor technology and magnetic core memories. The
transistors were much more stable and reliable than the vacuum tubes because they generated less
heat and consumed less power. The memory size was expanded to 32kilobytes and a speed of 200000300000kiloinstructions per second. Good examples of such computers include NCL 501, IBM 7094 and
CDC -6600.
c) Third generation 1964-1979:
This type of computer generation used integrated circuits which were made by combining several
transistors (3-15 in number). The magnetic disk was developed for storage purposes and its size
expanded to 2megabytes with speed accelerating to 5million instructions per second. Examples are IBM
360, PDP-11.
d) Forth generation 1979-1989:
This generation used large scale integrated circuits which used hundreds of transistors (200000-400000
in number).The memory used was magnetic disks, bubble memories and optical disks. The size of the
memory expanded to several hundreds of megabytes with a speed of 50 million instructions per second.
Examples are IBM 308, 32-bit microcomputer.
e) Fifth generation 1990-present:
This type of generation is characterized by rapid changes in telecommunication and computer
technology. The technologies used currently include parallel architectures, three dimensional circuit
design and super conducting materials. These technologies have led to the development of
supercomputers with speeds that range between one giga to one tera instructions per second. The
computer networking that has been developed has turned the whole world into a global village.
3 .Write short notes on fifth generation and explain why it is different from the forth generation.
 Its model starts from 1990 to date.
 It is characterized by rapid changes in telecommunication and computer technology.
 Such technologies used include architectures, three dimensional circuits and superconducting
materials.
 The speed ranges from 1 giga-1 tera instructions per second.
 Computer networking which has been developed has turned the whole world into a global
village.
The fifth generation is different from the fourth generation because the fifth generation of
computer;
 Has higher speed
 Has higher memory size as a storage device
 Is smaller in size
4. Why did the size of the computer get reduced in the third generation?
This is because the thousand transistors that occupied large space were replaced by just one integrated
circuit(IC).
5. Give short notes on the following;
a) Versatility
 The versatility of the computer means the ability of the computer to perform various tasks
simultaneously.
 It entails opening of many applications at the same time that run concurrently.
 For instance, printing, playing music and preparing the results of a school at the same time.
 For the computer to be versatile, it must have an operating system that determines what
software the computer can run, the hardware which determines whether the computer can
handle certain programs and processes and the peripheral devices that are used with the
computer but do not form the integral part of it.
b) Storage
The computer storage (memory) refers to the electronic circuitry that holds the data and
programs instructions.
It is majorly divided into primary storage and secondary storage.
Primary storage holds in data memory, for instance the Random Access Memory (RAM)
Secondary storage holds data on disks, tapes and other devices requiring input and output
operations. For instance Read Only Memory (ROM).
The computer storage is measured using bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and terabytes.
c) Slide Rule
 This is a mechanical analog computer that was developed by William Oughtred in the 17th
century based on emerging work on logarithms by John Napier.
 The slide rule was used for performing certain functions like multiplication, division, logarithms,
trigonometry and getting the roots of numbers.
 They were manufactured in different ranges and styles and were the most tools used in science
and engineering up to 1960s when digital devices were developed and substituted them.
d) Babbage’s analytical engine
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This is the device that was developed by Charles Babbage in 1832.
The device was able to combine arithmetic process with decision based on its own computer.
It signified the start of computer age.
Hence Charles Babbage was named the father of the computer.
6. Distinguish between microcomputer and mainframe computer.
A mainframe computer is a term used to refer large computers. They is very large computers with very
high capacity of main storage. They can process large amount of information hence are used by
companies, government institutions and banks. The y can be linked into a network with smaller
departmental computers. They have enormous backing storage capacities.
A microcomputer is smaller than mainframe computer. It can support concurrent users but it is slower
compared to mainframe computers. They are easy to manufacture and maintain hence they are
cheaper. They can be used in businesses and commerce to support applications such as payroll,
invoicing and stock control.