Brief history of computing in Intro to Computing - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Identify the First Programmable Computer

Which of the following was the first programmable computer in history?

A ENIAC

B Z3

C Colossus

D Analytical Engine

💡 Hint

Think about the earliest design that used punched cards and was conceptualized by Charles Babbage.

The Analytical Engine, designed by Charles Babbage in the 1830s, was the first concept of a programmable computer using punched cards. Although it was never completed, it laid the foundation for modern computing.

❓ trace

intermediate

Timeline Order of Computing Milestones

Arrange these computing milestones in the correct chronological order from earliest to latest.

A 2,4,1,3

B 1,2,4,3

C 2,1,4,3

D 4,2,1,3

💡 Hint

ENIAC came before transistors, and microprocessors came after transistors.

The ENIAC was developed in 1945, the transistor was invented in 1947, the microprocessor was introduced in 1971, and the World Wide Web was created in 1989.

❓ identification

advanced

Identify the Computing Generation by Technology

Which generation of computers is characterized by the use of integrated circuits?

A Third Generation

B First Generation

C Second Generation

D Fourth Generation

💡 Hint

Think about when computers moved from transistors to smaller, more complex components.

The third generation of computers (1960s) used integrated circuits, which allowed computers to become smaller, faster, and more reliable than previous generations that used vacuum tubes or transistors.

❓ Comparison

advanced

Compare Early Computing Machines

Which statement correctly compares the ENIAC and the Colossus computers?

A Colossus was designed for code-breaking during WWII; ENIAC was designed for general calculations.

B ENIAC was programmable using punched cards; Colossus was not programmable.

C ENIAC used vacuum tubes; Colossus used transistors.

D Both ENIAC and Colossus were completed after 1950.

💡 Hint

Consider the purpose and technology era of each machine.

Colossus was built during WWII for code-breaking and used vacuum tubes. ENIAC, completed in 1945, was designed for general-purpose calculations and also used vacuum tubes. Transistors came later.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Impact of Moore's Law on Computing

What is the main implication of Moore's Law for the development of computers over time?

A Software complexity doubles every two years, making computers slower.

B The number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every two years, leading to exponential growth in computing power.

C Computers will become obsolete every two years due to hardware failures.

D The size of computers doubles every two years, making them less portable.

💡 Hint

Think about how hardware improvements affect performance and size.

Moore's Law predicts that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles about every two years, which has historically led to faster, smaller, and more affordable computers.