All questions of Introduction, History and Generation of Computer for Bank Exams Exam

Switching Devices Used in the First Generation of Computers

The first generation of computers, which emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, relied on switching devices to perform calculations and process data. These switching devices were crucial in the functioning of early computers, and their development played a significant role in the advancement of computer technology. The switching devices used in the first generation of computers were vacuum tubes.

Vacuum Tubes

Vacuum tubes, also known as thermionic valves, were the primary switching devices used in the first generation of computers. These devices were made of glass or metal and consisted of a vacuum-sealed environment. The vacuum inside the tube prevented the interference of air particles, allowing for more efficient operation.

Working Principle of Vacuum Tubes

- A vacuum tube consists of electrodes, including a cathode, an anode, and one or more control grids.
- A filament inside the tube heats up the cathode, causing it to emit electrons.
- The control grids control the flow of electrons and determine the output signal.
- By applying voltages to the control grids, the flow of electrons can be regulated, allowing for switching and amplification of signals.

Advantages of Vacuum Tubes

- Vacuum tubes were the first electronic components capable of amplifying electrical signals, making them ideal for use in computers.
- They allowed for the creation of electronic circuits that could perform calculations and process data.
- Vacuum tubes were relatively reliable and provided a significant improvement over previous mechanical switching devices.
- They played a crucial role in the development of early computers, making them smaller, faster, and more efficient.

Limitations of Vacuum Tubes

- Vacuum tubes were large in size and consumed a significant amount of power, resulting in the generation of a substantial amount of heat.
- They were prone to failure and required frequent replacement, which led to high maintenance costs.
- Vacuum tubes were also expensive to produce and were not readily available in large quantities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the first generation of computers relied on vacuum tubes as the primary switching devices. These devices allowed for the amplification and switching of electrical signals, enabling the creation of electronic circuits capable of performing calculations and processing data. Despite their limitations, vacuum tubes played a vital role in the development of early computers and paved the way for further advancements in computer technology.

The correct answer is option 'D' - ENIAC.

- ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. It was the first electronic digital programmable computing device.
- ENIAC was developed by J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States during World War II.
- The main purpose of ENIAC was to perform complex calculations for military purposes, such as artillery trajectory calculations.
- ENIAC was a massive machine that occupied a large room and consisted of approximately 17,468 vacuum tubes, 7,200 crystal diodes, 1,500 relays, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, and 5 million soldered joints.
- It was programmed using a combination of patch cables and switches. The programming process was time-consuming and required physically rewiring the machine to change the program.
- ENIAC was capable of performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations, as well as more complex calculations using its stored program.
- It had a speed of about 5,000 operations per second, which was significantly faster than previous computing devices.
- ENIAC was used for various calculations during its operational period, including calculations for the hydrogen bomb, weather prediction, and atomic energy research.
- Despite its groundbreaking capabilities, ENIAC had some limitations. It was not a stored-program computer, meaning that its program had to be physically reconfigured each time it needed to be changed. It also required a large amount of electricity and generated a significant amount of heat.
- ENIAC paved the way for the development of modern computers and is considered a landmark in the history of computing.

In conclusion, ENIAC was the first electronic digital programmable computing device, making option 'D' the correct answer.

IBM 1401 is a Second Generation Computer.

Explanation:
The classification of computers into different generations is based on the advancements in technology and the architectural changes that occurred over time. Each generation represents a significant improvement in terms of speed, size, and functionality.

First Generation Computers:
- The first generation computers were built using vacuum tubes and used punched cards for input and output.
- Examples of first generation computers include ENIAC, UNIVAC, and EDVAC.

Second Generation Computers:
- Second generation computers were developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
- They used transistors instead of vacuum tubes, which made them smaller, faster, and more reliable.
- These computers also introduced magnetic core memory and assembly language programming.
- Examples of second generation computers include IBM 1401, IBM 1620, and IBM 7090.

Third Generation Computers:
- Third generation computers were developed in the 1960s and 1970s.
- They used integrated circuits (ICs) instead of individual transistors, which further reduced the size and cost of computers.
- These computers also introduced high-level programming languages and operating systems.
- Examples of third generation computers include IBM System/360, DEC PDP-11, and CDC 6600.

Fourth Generation Computers:
- Fourth generation computers were developed in the 1970s and 1980s.
- They used microprocessors, which integrated thousands of transistors onto a single chip.
- This made computers even smaller, more powerful, and more affordable.
- These computers also introduced graphical user interfaces (GUI) and personal computers (PCs).
- Examples of fourth generation computers include IBM PC, Apple Macintosh, and Commodore 64.

In the given options, IBM 1401 falls under the second generation of computers because it was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s and used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. It was a significant advancement over the first generation computers in terms of size, speed, and reliability.

- **Unit of Speed in First Generation Computers**
First generation computers were characterized by the use of vacuum tubes and magnetic drums for memory storage. The speed of these computers was measured in milliseconds.
- **Milli Seconds**
In the context of first generation computers, speed was typically measured in milliseconds. This was due to the relatively slow processing capabilities of these early machines, which were limited by the technology available at the time.
- **Significance of Milliseconds**
The use of milliseconds as a unit of speed measurement highlights the slower processing speeds of first generation computers compared to modern computers. Tasks that can now be completed in nanoseconds or even picoseconds would have taken much longer on these early machines.
- **Limitations of First Generation Computers**
The use of vacuum tubes and magnetic drums in first generation computers limited their processing speed and overall performance. This meant that complex calculations and tasks took significantly longer to complete than they do on modern computers.
- **Evolution of Speed Measurement**
As technology advanced and transistors replaced vacuum tubes, the speed of computers increased dramatically. Speeds are now measured in nanoseconds or even faster units, reflecting the incredible processing power of modern machines.
In conclusion, the unit of speed measured in first generation computers was milliseconds, highlighting the slower processing capabilities of these early machines compared to today's technology.

Electro-mechanical Computers

Before the first generation of computers, there were several attempts made to build calculating machines that could automate the process of mathematical calculations. The first of these machines were based on mechanical principles, and were called mechanical calculators. However, with the advent of electrical and electronic components, it became possible to build machines that were faster and more accurate than mechanical calculators. The first of these machines were called electro-mechanical computers.

Definition

Electro-mechanical computers are computing machines that use a combination of mechanical and electrical components to perform mathematical calculations. These machines were developed in the early 20th century, and were used primarily for scientific and military applications. Electro-mechanical computers were widely used during the Second World War, and played a crucial role in the development of radar and other military technologies.

Features

- Electro-mechanical computers were based on the principles of Boolean logic, which allowed them to perform complex logical operations.
- These machines used a combination of mechanical relays and electrical circuits to perform calculations.
- Electro-mechanical computers were relatively slow compared to modern computers, but they were much faster than mechanical calculators.
- These machines were large and bulky, and required a team of operators to run them.

Examples

- Some examples of electro-mechanical computers include the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, the Harvard Mark I, and the Colossus.

Conclusion

Electro-mechanical computers were an important step in the development of modern computing technology. Although they were slow and cumbersome compared to modern computers, they paved the way for the development of electronic computers, which are the foundation of modern computing.

Understanding Languages for Computers

Languages for Computers

Computers are electronic devices that process data and information. To do this, computers require instructions or code in a language that they can understand. There are several programming languages that can be used to write code for computers. However, not all languages can be understood by computers.

Binary Language

Binary language is the language that computers can understand. It is made up of only two digits, 0 and 1, which are also called bits. These digits are used to represent all data and instructions in a computer. Binary language is the most basic form of computer language.

Assembly Language

Assembly language is a low-level programming language that is used to write code that can be easily understood by computers. It is a human-readable form of machine language that uses abbreviations and symbols to simplify programming. Assembly language is specific to a particular computer architecture, and each instruction corresponds to a specific machine language instruction.

High-Level Languages

High-level languages are programming languages that are designed to be easily understood by humans. These languages are closer to natural language and are easier to read and write than low-level languages like assembly language. Examples of high-level languages are BASIC, JAVA, Python, and C++. However, these languages cannot be directly understood by computers. They need to be translated into machine language or binary language using a compiler or interpreter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, computers can only understand binary language, which is the most basic form of computer language. Assembly language is also understood by computers, but it is specific to a particular computer architecture. High-level languages like BASIC, JAVA, Python, and C++ are designed to be easily understood by humans, but they need to be translated into machine language or binary language using a compiler or interpreter.

Machine Language in First Generation Computers
Machine language was the primary programming language used in the First Generation of Computers. This language directly corresponds to the hardware of the computer and is specific to the type of computer being used.
Explanation
- First-generation computers were built using vacuum tubes and had limited processing power and memory.
- In order to communicate with these computers, programmers had to write instructions in machine language, which consisted of strings of binary code.
- Each operation in machine language was represented by a specific sequence of 0s and 1s that the computer's hardware could understand and execute.
Advantages of Machine Language
- Machine language allowed programmers to directly control the computer's hardware, making it highly efficient for specific tasks.
- It was the only option available in the early days of computing when higher-level languages had not yet been developed.
Limitations of Machine Language
- Writing programs in machine language was a complex and time-consuming process, as programmers had to manually translate instructions into binary code.
- Programs written in machine language were not portable and could only run on the specific type of computer for which they were created.
In conclusion, machine language was the dominant programming language used in the First Generation of Computers due to its direct correspondence with the hardware and the lack of higher-level languages at that time.

Microprocessors as switching devices are for all generations of computers.

First Generation Computers:
- The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as their primary switching devices.
- Vacuum tubes were large, fragile, and consumed a lot of power.
- They were also prone to failures and generated a significant amount of heat.
- These computers were very slow and had limited memory capacity.

Second Generation Computers:
- The second generation of computers used transistors as their primary switching devices.
- Transistors were smaller, more reliable, and consumed less power than vacuum tubes.
- They allowed computers to be smaller, faster, and more efficient.
- These computers were still quite large and expensive.

Third Generation Computers:
- The third generation of computers introduced integrated circuits (ICs) as their primary switching devices.
- Integrated circuits were made by placing multiple transistors and other electronic components onto a single chip.
- This greatly increased the speed and performance of the computers.
- These computers were smaller, more reliable, and less expensive than their predecessors.

Fourth Generation Computers:
- The fourth generation of computers brought the invention of microprocessors.
- Microprocessors are integrated circuits that contain the entire central processing unit (CPU) of a computer on a single chip.
- They combined the functions of the CPU, memory, and input/output devices into one package.
- These computers were much smaller, faster, and more powerful than previous generations.
- Microprocessors revolutionized the computer industry and paved the way for the modern computing era.

Conclusion:
- Microprocessors as switching devices have been used in all generations of computers.
- They have played a crucial role in advancing the capabilities and performance of computers over time.

Father of Supercomputing: Seymour Cray

Seymour Cray, an American electrical engineer and computer architect, is widely regarded as the "father of supercomputing." He played a pivotal role in the development of high-performance computers and is known for designing a series of supercomputers that pushed the boundaries of computational power.

Cray's Contributions and Achievements:

1. Designing the CDC 6600:
- In the 1960s, Cray designed the CDC 6600, which was the world's first supercomputer and the fastest computer of its time.
- The CDC 6600 introduced several groundbreaking innovations, including the concept of pipelining, which allows multiple instructions to be processed simultaneously, improving overall performance.

2. Founding Cray Research:
- In 1972, Cray founded Cray Research, a company dedicated to designing and manufacturing supercomputers.
- Cray Research went on to create a series of highly successful supercomputers, including the Cray-1, Cray-2, and Cray-3.

3. Cray-1 Supercomputer:
- The Cray-1, introduced in 1976, was one of Cray's most iconic designs.
- It featured a unique "C" shape design that allowed for efficient cooling and reduced signal delays.
- The Cray-1 achieved a peak performance of 160 megaflops (million floating-point operations per second) and was the world's fastest supercomputer at the time.

4. Continued Innovations:
- Throughout his career, Cray continued to push the boundaries of supercomputing.
- He designed the Cray-2, which introduced a new architecture and achieved a peak performance of 1.9 gigaflops (billion floating-point operations per second).
- Cray also worked on the Cray-3, which was meant to be even faster but faced technical challenges and was ultimately canceled.

Legacy and Impact:

Seymour Cray's contributions to supercomputing have had a lasting impact on the field. His designs and innovations set the stage for the development of faster and more powerful computers, enabling advancements in scientific research, engineering, weather forecasting, and other computationally intensive tasks.

Today, supercomputers continue to evolve, with companies and research institutions striving to achieve even greater levels of performance. However, Cray's work laid the foundation for the field of supercomputing and established him as a pioneer in the industry. His legacy as the "father of supercomputing" remains significant and influential.