Which computer was the first to provide storage capacity and could sto...
Answer: B. EDSAC
Explanation: EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) was the first computer to provide storage capacity for instructions and data in memory. It was an early British computer that laid the foundation for modern computing.
Which computer was the first to provide storage capacity and could sto...
Introduction
The question pertains to the evolution of computers, specifically focusing on the first machine that could store both instructions and data in memory.
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
- Developed in 1945, ENIAC was one of the first electronic general-purpose computers.
- However, it did not store instructions in memory; it was programmed using physical rewiring and manual switches.
EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer)
- Completed in 1949, EDSAC is significant as it was the first computer to use a stored-program architecture.
- It could store both data and instructions in its memory, which allowed for greater flexibility and efficiency in programming.
- This capability marked a pivotal advancement in computer design, enabling the development of more complex applications.
UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)
- Launched in 1951, UNIVAC was one of the first commercially available computers.
- It utilized magnetic tape for data storage but still relied on earlier programming methods that were not as flexible as stored-program architecture.
IBM-650
- Introduced in 1953, the IBM-650 was one of the first mass-produced computers.
- It had memory capabilities but followed the principles established by EDSAC regarding the stored program.
Conclusion
- The correct answer is B) EDSAC, as it was the first computer to successfully integrate storage for both instructions and data in memory.
- This innovation laid the groundwork for modern computing architectures, making EDSAC a landmark in the history of computing technology.