8 Lecture

CS101

Midterm & Final Term Short Notes

History of Computing

Computing has come a long way since its inception in the early 1800s. From the invention of the first mechanical calculators to the development of modern supercomputers.


Important Mcq's
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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  1. Who invented the first mechanical calculator? a. Charles Babbage b. Blaise Pascal c. Alan Turing d. Tim Berners-Lee

Answer: b. Blaise Pascal

  1. What was the name of the first machine that could be programmed to perform different tasks? a. Difference Engine b. Analytical Engine c. Colossus d. ENIAC

Answer: b. Analytical Engine

  1. What was the punch card machine used for? a. Processing data for the 1890 U.S. census b. Cracking German codes during World War II c. Business applications such as payroll processing and accounting d. Building and programming personal computers

Answer: a. Processing data for the 1890 U.S. census

  1. What was the first commercial computer? a. ENIAC b. UNIVAC c. PDP-8 d. Apple II

Answer: b. UNIVAC

  1. Who developed the first web browser? a. Charles Babbage b. Tim Berners-Lee c. Alan Turing d. Bill Gates

Answer: b. Tim Berners-Lee

  1. What was the first successful personal computer for home use? a. Altair 8800 b. ENIAC c. Apple II d. IBM PC

Answer: c. Apple II

  1. What was the dominant operating system for personal computers? a. Windows b. macOS c. Linux d. Unix

Answer: a. Windows

  1. What was the name of the first website? a. Google b. Yahoo c. Amazon d. Info.cern.ch

Answer: d. Info.cern.ch

  1. Who introduced the iPhone? a. Apple b. Microsoft c. Google d. IBM

Answer: a. Apple

  1. What are some of the latest developments in computing? a. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things b. Punch card machines and mechanical calculators c. World Wide Web and web browsers d. Personal computers and smartphones

Answer: a. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.



Subjective Short Notes
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

Download PDF
  1. Who invented the Difference Engine? Answer: Charles Babbage.


  2. What was the first machine that could be programmed to perform different tasks? Answer: The Analytical Engine.


  3. What was the punch card machine used for? Answer: Processing data for the 1890 U.S. census, as well as other applications such as accounting and inventory management.


  4. What was the Colossus machine used for? Answer: Cracking German codes during World War II.


  5. What was the first commercial computer? Answer: The UNIVAC.


  6. What was the first successful personal computer for home use? Answer: The Apple II.


  7. Who developed the first web browser? Answer: Tim Berners-Lee.


  8. What was the first website? Answer: A website created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991.


  9. What was the dominant operating system for personal computers? Answer: Windows, developed by Microsoft.


  10. What was the first smartphone? Answer: The iPhone, was introduced by Apple in 2007.

History of Computing

Computing has come a long way since its inception in the early 1800s. From the invention of the first mechanical calculators to the development of modern supercomputers, computing has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate. The first mechanical calculators were developed in the early 1800s. The first notable device was the Difference Engine, invented by Charles Babbage in 1822. It was designed to compute mathematical tables, but it was too complex and expensive to be built at the time. Babbage later designed the Analytical Engine, which was the first machine that could be programmed to perform different tasks. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, computing machines became more common. The punch card machine, invented by Herman Hollerith in 1884, was used for processing data for the 1890 U.S. census. The machine used punched cards to store data and perform calculations. The Hollerith machine was also used for other applications, such as accounting and inventory management. During World War II, computers were developed to assist in military operations. The Colossus machine, developed by Alan Turing and his team in the UK, was used to crack German codes. In the United States, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was developed to calculate artillery firing tables. After the war, computers became smaller and more affordable. The first commercial computer, the UNIVAC, was introduced in 1951. It was used for business applications such as payroll processing and accounting. In the 1960s, the development of the integrated circuit led to the miniaturization of computers. The first minicomputer, the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-8, was introduced in 1965. It was affordable enough for small businesses and research institutions to purchase, which led to the proliferation of computers in these organizations. In the 1970s, the personal computer was introduced. The Altair 8800, introduced in 1975, was the first affordable computer kit that allowed hobbyists to build and program their own computers. The Apple II, introduced in 1977, was the first successful personal computer for home use. In the 1980s and 1990s, personal computers became more powerful and affordable. The IBM PC, introduced in 1981, became the standard for business computing. Microsoft introduced Windows in 1985, which became the dominant operating system for personal computers. The development of the internet in the 1990s led to the creation of the World Wide Web. Tim Berners-Lee developed the first web browser, called WorldWideWeb, in 1990. The first website was created in 1991, and the first commercial web browser, Netscape Navigator, was introduced in 1994. In the 2000s, computing became more mobile. Laptops became more affordable, and smartphones were introduced. Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, which revolutionized the smartphone industry. Today, computing continues to evolve. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things are some of the latest developments in the field. Supercomputers are used for scientific research, weather forecasting, and other complex calculations. In conclusion, computing has come a long way since the invention of the first mechanical calculators in the early 1800s. The development of computers has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate. From the punch card machine to the smartphone, computing has evolved to become an essential part of our daily lives. With new developments on the horizon, it is exciting to think about what the future of computing will bring.