Evolution of Computing and Computer Architecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering computer history, generations, hardware components, system units, CPU features, memory types, and computing disciplines.

Abacus

An ancient manual calculating tool used by humans to perform basic arithmetic long before electronic computers existed.

Pascaline

A mechanical calculator developed by Blaise Pascal around 1642 that can perform addition and subtraction.

Stepped Reckoner

A mechanical calculator developed by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz that can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Jacquard Loom

An automated weaving machine invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804 that uses a chain of interchangeable punched cards to control complex textile patterns.

Analytical Engine

The first programmable computer design, conceived by Charles Babbage in 1834 and refined by 1837.

Ada Lovelace

The first computer programmer, who worked with Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine concepts and developed an algorithm intended to be processed by the machine.

ENIAC

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer; a first-generation computer using vacuum tubes invented by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, Jr. on February 14, 1946.

UNIVAC

Universal Automatic Computer; designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly starting in the late 1940s, with the first unit delivered on March 31, 1951.

Transistor

A semiconductor device invented in December 1947 by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley at Bell Labs to amplify or switch electrical signals.

Integrated Circuit (IC)

A small semiconductor chip holding many tiny electronic components like transistors, resistors, and capacitors; independently invented by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce in 1958.

Microprocessor

A tiny computer chip containing an entire CPU on a single chip to execute programs and perform math and logic tasks.

Intel 4004

The world's first commercial microprocessor, introduced by Intel in November 1971.

ARPANET

Advanced Research Projects Agency Network; an early packet-switched network that connected computers across different locations.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

A networking protocol that ensures data is delivered reliably, completely, and in the correct order across networks.

Internet Protocol (IP)

A networking protocol responsible for identifying devices and determining routing paths for data sent across a network.

World Wide Web

An information system launched in 1991 that provided user-friendly access to information across the internet.

Computer Science

The discipline studying how computers solve problems through algorithms, computation, programming, operating systems, and theory.

Information Systems

A field combining technology and business to analyze organizational needs, design business information systems, and evaluate technology impact.

Information Technology

A discipline focused on using, installing, maintaining, and managing technology infrastructure to support organizational operations.

Software Engineering

A discipline applying engineering principles to design, code, test, deploy, and maintain high-quality, reliable software.

Computer Engineering

A field combining electronics and computer science to design processors, build computer hardware, and program embedded systems.

Cybersecurity

The practice of preventing, detecting, investigating, and responding to cyber threats to secure systems, networks, accounts, and data.

Data Science

The field using statistics, mathematics, programming, and machine learning to clean, analyze, and extract insights from data.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A computing field enabling machines to perform tasks requiring human intelligence, such as language understanding, pattern recognition, and decision making.

Internet of Things (IoT)

A network of physical objects embedded with sensors connected to the internet to collect, send, receive, and exchange data.

Cloud Computing

The on-demand delivery of computing resources such as servers, storage, databases, and software over the internet.

Qubit

A quantum bit used in quantum computing that can exist in quantum states representing combinations of $0$ and $1$.

Quantum Computing

An advanced computing paradigm using principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations significantly faster than regular computers.

Autonomous System

A system that senses its environment, processes data, makes decisions, and performs tasks with independence from direct human control.

Augmented Reality (AR)

A technology that overlays digital information, 3D objects, or interactive elements onto the real-world environment.

Virtual Reality (VR)

A technology that creates a fully computer-generated environment in which the user is completely immersed.

Mixed Reality (MR)

A technology combining physical and digital environments where virtual objects interact naturally with the real world.

Blockchain

A shared, distributed digital ledger that records transactions securely using cryptographic techniques.

Green Computing

The practice of designing, using, managing, and disposing of computing technologies to minimize environmental impact and energy consumption.

Computer

An electronic device that manipulates data according to instructions, performing computations and logical operations at high speed.

HP 200A Audio Oscillator

The first computer product, developed in 1939 by David Packard and Bill Hewlett to test recording equipment for engineers.

Complex Number Calculator (CNC)

An early calculating machine completed in 1940, designed by scientist George Stibitz.

Bombe

An electromechanical device completed in 1941 by Alan Turing and Harold Keen used to decipher encrypted German military communications during World War II.

Manchester Baby (SSEM)

The Small-Scale Experimental Machine built in 1948 by Frederic Williams, Tom Kilburn, and Geoff Toothill to test new memory technology.

Xerox Alto

A groundbreaking computer developed in 1975 by Butler Lampson and Charles Thacker utilizing a graphical user interface, icons, windows, and mouse.

J-Phone J-SH04

The first camera phone, developed in 1976 by Japan's SoftBank.

Datum

The Latin word meaning 'one piece of information,' from which the term 'data' originated.

Data

Unprocessed facts, concepts, or instructions represented in a form suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing.

Information

Processed, organized, or structured data that provides meaningful value for decision-making and actions.

Computer Hardware

The physical, tangible components of a computer system that can be touched.

Computer Software

The intangible collection of programming code, instructions, and procedures executed on a computer system.

Input Unit

A hardware apparatus used to supply and feed data or commands into a computer system.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The internal component known as the 'Brain of Computer' that carries out instructions and provides computational power.

Control Unit (CU)

The functional element of the CPU that regulates, directs, and integrates the operations of the computer.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The mathematical brain of the CPU that executes arithmetic and logical operations.

Memory Unit

The primary storage component used to store active programs, instructions, and data temporarily during computation.

Output Unit

A hardware device that converts processed data into a human-readable or perceptible form.

Supercomputer

The fastest and most expensive category of computers, used for scientific simulations, weather modeling, and complex calculations.

Mainframe Computer

A high-performance computer with vast memory and processors designed to execute billions of simple transactions in real time securely.

Workstation

A powerful single-user computer designed for engineering applications, graphics processing, and moderate power tasks.

Personal Computer (PC)

A small computer designed for individual use in tasks like word processing, accounting, database management, and gaming.

Portable Computer

A computer designed to be easily moved, integrating a display and keyboard within a single enclosure.

Multitasking

A computer capability that allows execution of multiple tasks and operations simultaneously.

Data Security

The practice of protecting digital data from unauthorized access, modification, or theft.

Reliability (Computer)

The ability of computers to perform repetitive tasks continuously without errors caused by fatigue or boredom.

Online Cyber Crimes

Criminal activities such as cyberstalking and fraud committed using computers and network systems.

System Unit

The computer enclosure housing primary processing devices, designed to protect internal electronics and hold components together.

Computer Case

An enclosure (also known as a tower box, cabinet, base unit, or housing) physically holding all internal hardware components.

Power Supply

An electric power converter that converts source electric current to the correct voltage, current, and frequency for computer parts.

CD/DVD Drive

An optical drive component used inside a system unit to read or write compact discs.

Hard Drive

A non-volatile, long-term storage hardware device that saves all digital content including operating systems, programs, and files.

Volatile Memory

A type of storage that loses all saved data when electrical power is turned off.

Non-Volatile Storage

A type of storage that maintains saved data continuously even when electrical power is disconnected.

Memory Chip

A volatile semiconductor component used as primary storage to hold programs or data on a temporary, short-term basis.

Motherboard

The main printed circuit board inside the system unit acting as the backbone that connects all hardware components together.

Sound Card

An expansion card attaching to a motherboard's PCI slot that enables input, processing, and output of audio signals.

Video Card

An expansion card connected to the motherboard that contains its own processor and memory to generate graphics output for a display screen.

Ribbon Cable

A thin, flat, multi-conductor cable used inside the system unit to connect internal peripherals like hard drives and CD drives.

Computer Fan

An active cooling fan placed inside or attached to a case to circulate cool air and prevent component overheating.

Intel

Integrated Electronics Company; a major semiconductor company best known for microprocessors used in personal computers.

AMD

Advanced Micro Devices; a semiconductor company known for designing computer processors and graphics technologies.

Qualcomm Snapdragon

A family of mobile System on a Chip (SoC) processors produced by Qualcomm for smartphones, tablets, and mobile PCs.

CPU Socket

A connector on the motherboard plate into which the CPU is inserted, providing mechanical support and electrical pin connections.

Land Grid Array (LGA)

A CPU socket type where connection pins are located inside the motherboard socket, aligning with contact pads on the back of the processor.

Pin Grid Array (PGA)

A CPU socket design where connection pins are located on the processor itself and fit into corresponding socket holes.

Zero Insertion Force (ZIF)

A socket feature typical of PGA sockets allowing a processor to be inserted or removed with zero mechanical pressure.

Processor Core

An independent processing unit within a CPU that reads and executes computing instructions.

Clock Speed

The speed at which a CPU fetches and executes instructions, measured in hertz or clock cycles per second.

Hertz (Hz)

A unit of frequency measuring cycles per second, where $1\text{ Hz} = 1\text{ cycle/second}$, used to measure CPU speed.

CPU Cache

A small, high-speed memory area located close to a processor core to reduce average access time to main memory.

Primary Storage

Internal memory directly accessible by the CPU, consisting of RAM and ROM to hold active data and startup code.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Volatile primary read-write memory used by the CPU to store data and program instructions currently being executed.

SRAM (Static RAM)

A fast, low-access-time volatile memory built using transistors, typically positioned on or near the processor as cache.

DRAM (Dynamic RAM)

A high-capacity volatile memory built using capacitors, located on the motherboard with higher access time than SRAM.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

A non-volatile memory chip storing permanent instructions required to boot up the computer system.

Bootstrap

The startup process and instructions stored in ROM required to initialize computer hardware and launch the operating system.

PROM

Programmable Read-Only Memory; a blank ROM chip that can be written to once by the user or manufacturer.

EPROM

Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory; a ROM chip whose content can be erased by exposure to ultraviolet light and reprogrammed.

EEPROM

Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory; a ROM chip whose content can be modified or erased in parts using electric fields.

Secondary Storage

Non-volatile memory external to the CPU used for permanent, long-term storage of programs and data.

Expansion Slot

A motherboard socket designed for inserting expansion cards to add new hardware capabilities without replacing the motherboard.

Expansion Card

A printed circuit board (adapter card) inserted into motherboard slots to give the computer enhanced capabilities like graphics or networking.

First Generation Computers

Computers from the 1940s–1950s that used vacuum tubes for electronic circuitry and data processing.

Second Generation Computers

Computers from the 1950s–1960s defined by the use of transistors, making machines smaller and more reliable.

Third Generation Computers

Computers from the 1960s–1970s defined by integrated circuits (ICs), making computers faster, smaller, and cheaper.