Current Affairs 3rd Class

        Third Generation Computers (1966-75)       Third generation computers were introduced in 1964. These computers used a new technology of integrated transistor circuits better known as IC or Integrated Circuits that were made of electric wires. Instead of having one transistor working separately, several transistors would be integrated with other components and sealed in a small package called IC (Integrated Circuit.) or the Chip. These computers had much higher speeds, larger storage capacities and lower prices. Examples of 3rd generation computers were IBM 360/370 and NCR 395, IBM-360 series, ICL-2900 series, KL 2903, CDC-1700. The other main feature of the 3rd generation computers was that the size of main memory was increased and reached about 4 megabytes. The computers of this generation were relatively inexpensive and faster, more durable and reliable. They used high level languages such as FORTRAN and COBOL and were used in areas like education and small businesses survey. These 3rd generation computers could carry out instructions in billionths of a second. The size of these machines dropped to the size of small file cabinets. Yet, the single biggest advancement in the computer era was yet to be discovered.                Shane asked his friend Ricky: Give me the name of few models of 3rd generation computers. Ricky told him the following names. Which of the following names are correct for the 3rd generation computers? 1. IBM 360/370.                                 2.   KL 2903. 3. IBM 7094                                         4.  UN I VAC 1108                                             5. IBM-360 (A) 1, 2 and 3                                      (B) 3 and 4 (C) 1, 2 and 5                                      (D) 2, 3 and 5 (E) All of these     Answer: (c) Explanation Correct Option: (C) Models IBM 360/370, KL2903 and IBM-360 are the examples of 3rd generation computers. Therefore, option (C) is correct. Incorrect Options: (A) 1 and 2 are the models of 3rd generation computers but 3 is not. Therefore, option (A) is incorrect. (B) 3 and 4 are the models of 2nd generation computers. Therefore, option (B) is incorrect. (D) 2 and 5 are the models of 3rd generation computers but 3 is of 2nd generation computers. Therefore, option (D) is incorrect. (E) All the given models are not the example of 3rd generation computers. Therefore, option (E) is incorrect.          3rd Generation computer is the improved form of 2nd generation computer. And it had many advantages. Which of the given statements are correct about 3rd generation computers? 1. 3rd generation computers could carry out instructions in billionths of a second. 2. These computers used low level languages. 3. These computers used the technology of integrated transistor circuits better known as IC. 4. These computers had much slow speeds, larger storage capacities and high prices. (A) Only 1                                            (B) more...

The Second Generation Computers (1956-65)   In 1947, three scientists, John Bardeen, William Shockley and Walter Brattain working at AT&T's Bell Labs invented the transistor which functioned like a vacuum tube. The transistor was faster, more reliable, smaller and much cheaper to build than a vacuum tube. One transistor replaced the equivalent of 40 vacuum tubes. The use of this machine marked a new beginning for the computer. The development of the transistor was soon applied to computers which reduced their size, the power requirement and increased their processing speed. Some models of the second generation computers are IBM 1401, IBM 1620, IBM 7094 and UNIVAC 1108. IBM-700, 1401 and ATLAS. (See Figure 3.2.4)         The main feature of the second generation computers was that the computers of this generation replaced vacuum tubes with transistors. Magnetic cores and different magnetic storage devices for storage were invented in this generation. Eighty percent of these computers were used in business and industries of the commercial applications developed during this period. (See Figure 3.2.5)         

• Limitations:

After removing the limitations of 1st generation computers, 2nd generation computers were developed. Despite that, it had many limitations.  

• Few of them are the following:
• The major drawback was that the computers of the second generation produced some amount of heat.
• They had slow speed.
• They had less memory.

Therefore, 3rd generation computers were developed with more advanced technology.      Different models of 1st generation computer and 2nd generation computer are given. Match the following:                 A                                             B         1. 1st Generation                               i. UNIVAC-1108                                                                      ii. ENIAC        2. 2nd Generation                               iii. ENIAC-101                                                                     iv. ATLAS                                                                     v.   IBM 1401 (A) 1- v, iii; 2- i, iv                                              (B) 1- ii, iii; 2- iv, v (C) 1-i, ii, iii; 2-iv, v                                            (D) 1-ii; 2-i,iv, v (E) 1- iv; 2- ii, tii, iv   Answer: (D) Explanation Correct Option: (D) Option (D) is matched correctly. Incorrect Options: (A) Option (A) is more...

     The First Generation Computers (1949-55)     The first generation computers were huge, slow, expensive and often undependable. In 1946, two Americans, Prosper Eckert and John Mauchly built the ENIAC electronic computer which used very large and heavy electronic vacuum tubes, which took up a lot of space and gave off a great deal of heat like the light bulbs. The ENIAC led to other vacuum tube type computers like the EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) and UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer). They also used the concept of stored program. These computers were 5000 times faster than the MARK-1, which is considered to be the first electromechanical machine. These computers' used machine language for giving instructions.             Limitations: Since first generation computer is a first step towards the invention of present form of computer, so it has many limitations.       Some of them are the following:  

• These computers were very big in size. The ENIAC machine was 30 x 50 feet in size and 30 tons in weight. So, these machines required a very large space to work.
• Their power consumption was very high.
• These computers had slow operating speed and small computing capacity.
• These computers had a very small memory.  

The ENIAC gave off so much heat that they had to be cooled by air conditioners. However, even with these huge coolers, vacuum tubes still overheated regularly. The major drawbacks of first generation computers were that they produced a large amount of heat, were not reliable and used machine language only. To overcome these drawbacks, 2nd generation computers were developed.                Few statements are given below about 1st Generation computer. Select the correct statement. 1. In 1964, two Americans, Prosper Eckert and John Mauchly built the ENIAC electronic computer. 2. These computers had high operating speed and small computing capacity. 3. The ENIAC gave off so much heat that they had to be cooled by air conditioners. (A) 1 and 2                                                          (B) 2 and 3 (C) Only 3                                                            (D) All of these (D) None of these     Answer: (C) Explanation Correct Option: (C) Statement 3 is correct. The ENIAC gave off so much heat that they had to be cooled by air conditioners. Incorrect Options: (A) Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. That's why option (A) is incorrect. (B) Statement 2 is incorrect where as statement 3 is correct. Therefore, option (B) is incorrect. (D) All of the given statements are not correct. Therefore, option (D) is incorrect. (E) All of the given statements are not incorrect. Therefore, option (E) is incorrect.           more...

          Generation of Computers   A generation refers to the state of improvement in the development of a product. This term is also used in the different advancements of computer technology. Each phase of computer development is known as a separate generation of computers. With each new generation, the computer has become smaller and more advanced than the previous generation before it. The computer can be classified into five generations according to their types of electronic circuits such as vacuum tube, transistor, 1C (Integrated Circuits), etc. Let us learn about these different generations of the computer one by one.  

      Introduction       Just as we humans have different generations, so does the computer. In our family we have different generations such as: Grandparents  Parents  Children             Similarly, the computer can also be classified into different generations.  

      Difference Engine     This was an early calculator designed by Charles Babbage. The difference engine was made to calculate various mathematical functions and mathematical tables. This project was started in 1821 and it employed wheels and rods but failed its test in 1833 because the technology at that time was not so developed. Accurate parts of this engine could not be made and Babbage had to leave his project after spending a huge amount. Although it was never completed, it improved the precision of Britain's machine-tool industry. (See Figure 3.1.7)                                                      Difference engine was designed by Charles Babbage. In which one of the following years he started this project? (A) 1802                                                               (B) 1820 (C) 1821                                                                (D) 1825 (E) 1812     Answer: (C) Explanation Correct Option: (C) Project was started in the year 1821. Incorrect Options: (A) 1802 : Project was started in the year 1821. Therefore, option (A) is Incorrect. (B) 1820 : Project was started in the year 1821. Therefore, option (B) is Incorrect. (D) 1825 : Project was started in the year 1821. Therefore, option (D) is Incorrect. (E) 1812 : Project was started in the year 1821. Therefore, option (E) is Incorrect.          Select the correct statements. 1. The difference engine project was completed by Sir Charles Babbage. 2. Difference engine project was started in the year 1821. 3. The difference engine was made to calculate various mathematical functions and mathematical tables. (A) 1 and 2                                                          (B) 2 and 3 (C) 1 and 3                                                           (D) All of these (E) None of these     Answer: (B) Explanation Correct Option: (B) Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Incorrect Options: (A) Statement 1 is Incorrect where as statement 2 is correct. Thereto option (A) is Incorrect. (C) Statement 1 is Incorrect where as statement 3 is correct. Therefore option (C) is Incorrect. (D) All the given statements are not correct. Therefore, option (D) is incorrect (E) All the given statements are not Incorrect. Therefore, option (E) Incorrect.  

     An Electro- Mechanical Computer- Mark - I        Mark - 1 was probably the last electro mechanical computer which was invented by Prof. Howard Aiken in the U.S.A. Mark-1 was constructed in 1943. The main advantage of the Mark I was that it was fully automatic?it did not need any human intervention once it started. It was the first fully automatic computer to be completed. It was also more reliable than the early electronic computers. This machine was capable to multiply two 10- digit numbers in 5 seconds. It was the first machine, which could perform according to pre-programming. It was also known as ASCC (Automatic Sequence Controlled Computer). Mark-1 is considered to be' the beginning of the era of the modern computer' and 'the real dawn of the computer age'.                Mark-1 was invented by Prof. Howard Aiken. The credit of invention goes to which one of the following countries? (A) USSR                                                              (B) UK (C) USA                                                                (D) France (E) None of these     Answer: (C) Explanation Correct Option: (C) USA: The credit of invention of Mark-1 goes to USA as he was the citizen of the USA. Incorrect Options: (A) USSR : Is the Incorrect. (B) UK : Is the Incorrect. (D) France : Is the Incorrect. (E) Option (E) is Incorrect.          Mark-1 was the electro-mechanical computer and it had many advantages. It did not need any human intervention once started that means it was fully __________________. (A) Automatic                                                    (B) Manual (C) Artificial                                                         (D) Both (A) and (B) (E) None of these     Answer: (A) Explanation Correct Option: (A) Automatic: Mark-1 was a fully automatic computer. Incorrect Options: (B) Manual: Mark-1 was an automatic computer that's why option (B) is incorrect. (C) Artificial: Is the Incorrect. (D) Option (D) is Incorrect. (E) Option (E) is Incorrect.      

• Charles Babbage has been given the title of "Father of Modern Computers."
• Pascaline can be named as the first calculator.  

   

• Abacus: A calculating tool that is used primarily in parts of Asia for performing arithmetic processes.
• Punched Cards: Is a piece of stiff paper that contains digital information represented by the presence or absence of holes in predefined positions.  

     

• It took hundreds of years to make the kind of computer you see today.
• Scientists are still trying to make more advanced and powerful computers.
• Resources on Net: http://www.wikipedia.org
• Related Topics : Growth of the Modern Computer: Chapter 2  

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        Hollerith's Machine     Herman Hollerith was an American statistician who developed a mechanical tabulator based on punched cards to rapidly tabulate statistics from millions of pieces of data. It was a tabulating machine which could count quickly.  It was the first automatic data processing system. The tabulating machine was an electrical device which assisted in summarizing information and accounting. This machine was developed in 1887. The machine was developed to help process data for the 1890 U.S. census. It was the first electromechanical punched card tabulator. He used punched cards for input, output and instructions. This machine was used by American Department of Census to compile their 1890 census data. The system used a hand punch to record the data as holes in dollar-bill-sized punch cards and a tabulating machine to count them. Hollerith's Machine completed the compilation of census data in 2 years instead of 8 years. Herman Hollerith was the founder of the company that became IBM.                  Hollerith's Machine was developed by an American Statistician. What was his name? (A) Herman Hollerith                                      (B) Beyman Hollerith (C) Herican Hollerith                                       (D) Henry Hollerith (E) None of these     Answer: (A) Explanation Correct Option: (A) Herman Hollerith: Is an American Statistician who developed Hollerith's machine. Incorrect Options: (B) Beyman Hollerith: Is an Incorrect name. That's why option (C) is Incorrect. (D) Henry Hollerith: Is an Incorrect name. That's why option (D) is Incorrect. (E) Option (E) is Incorrect.          Hollerith system used a hand punch to record the data as holes in dollar- bill-sized punch cards and a tabulating machine to count them. How many years did it take to complete the compilation of census data? (A) 8 yrs                                                               (B) 2 yrs (C) 1 yrs                                                                (D) 5 yrs (E) None of these     Answer: (B) Explanation Correct Option: (B) 2 yrs.: Hollerith machine took 2 years to complete the compilation of census data. Incorrect Options: (A) 8 yrs.: Hollerith machine completed the compilation of census data in 2 years instead of 8 years. (C) 1 yrs.: Hollerith machine completed the compilation of census data in 2 years. That's why option (C) is Incorrect. (D) 5 yrs.: Hollerith machine completed the compilation of census data in 2 years. That's why option (D) is Incorrect. (E) Option (E) is Incorrect.  

      Analytical Engine     The analytical engine was an important step in the history of computers. It was an automatic machine that used to have all the features of the modern computer. It was the design of a mechanical general-purpose computer by the British mathematician Charles Babbage. He started designing it in 1833. Babbage continued to refine the design until his death in 1871. In its design, this machine could perform all the four mathematical operations as well as some logical operations. Babbage established the basic principles on the basis of which, today's computers work. He included the concept of control processor, storage area and input-output devices in design. It had almost all the parts of a modern computer in design. Because of the complexity of the machine, the lack of project management science, the expense of its construction and the difficulty of assessing its value by the Parliament, the engine were never completely built.                  Analytical engine was designed by the British mathematician Charles Babbage. In which one of the following years he started designing this machine? (A) 1813                                                               (B) 1833 (C) 1821                                                                (D) 1803 (E) None of these   Answer: (B) Explanation Correct Option: (B) 1833 : In the year 1833, Sir Charles Babbage started designing it. Incorrect Options: (A) 1813 : In the year 1833 Sir Charles Babbage started designing the Analytical engine. That's why option (A) is Incorrect. (C) 1821 : He started designing Analytical engine in the year 1833. That's why option (C) is Incorrect. (D) 1803 : He started designing Analytical engine in the year 1833. That's why option (D) is Incorrect. (E) Option (E) is Incorrect.        Match the following            A                                                                        B 1. Start designing Analytical engine                      i. 1821                                                                                                                                                                                   ii.1871                           2. Sir Babbage died                                                iii. 1831                                                                     more...

     Punch Card in- Jacquard's Loom     The Jacquard loom is a mechanical loom, invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1801 that simplifies the process of manufacturing textiles with complex patterns. The loom is controlled by punched cards with punched holes, each row of which corresponds to one row of the design. Multiple rows of holes are punched on each card and the many cards that compose the design of the textile are strung together in order. Its entire operation was under the control of a program and its weaving process was automatic. The Jacquard loom was the first machine to use punched cards to control a sequence of operations. Although it did no computation based on them, it is considered an important step in the history of computing hardware. With the invention of punched cards, the era of storing and retrieving information started.              Jacquard Loom was a mechanical device which was a great help in textile manufacturing. Who invented this machine and in which year? (A) John Marie, 1801                                      (B) Joseph Marie Jacquard, 1801 (C) Morri Jacquard, 1800                               (D) Johny Jacquard, 1805 (E) None of these     Answer: (B) Explanation Correct Option: (B) Joseph Marie Jacquard invented Jacquard loom and in the year 1801. Incorrect Options: (A) John Marie, 1801s: Incorrect name is used, that's why option (A) is Incorrect. (C) Morri Jacquard, 1800: Incorrect name and year is used that's why option (C) is Incorrect. (D) Johny Jacquard, 1805: Incorrect name and year is used that's why option (D) is Incorrect. (E) Option (E) is Incorrect.          Given below are the statements about Jacquard loom. Select the correct statements. 1. After the invention of punched cards, the era of storing and retrieving information started. 2. In Jacquard loom entire operation was under the control of a program. 3. The weaving process of Jacquard loom was automatic. (A) 1 and 2                                                          (B) 2 and 3 (C) All of these                                                  (D) land 3 (E) None of these   Answer: (C) Explanation Correct Option: (C) All the given statements are correct. Incorrect Options: (A) Not only statement 1 and 2 are correct but statement 3 is also correct. Therefore, option (A) is Incorrect. (B) Not only statement 2 and 3 are correct but statement 1 is also correct. Therefore, option (B) is Incorrect. (D) Not only statement 1 and 3 are correct but statement 2 is also correct. Therefore, option (D) is Incorrect. (E) None of the given statements is Incorrect. Therefore, option (E) is Incorrect.