Evolution of Computers - Key Vocabulary Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on the evolution of computers, generations, components, and storage.

Abacus

An ancient calculating frame used to perform arithmetic; a user of an abacus is called an abacist.

Abacist

A person who uses an abacus.

John Napier

Scottish mathematician who introduced the concept of logarithms, enabling quicker arithmetic.

William Oughtred

Historically credited with inventing the slide rule for rapid calculations.

Vacuum Tube

An electronic device (also called electron tube) used to amplify or switch signals in early computers; also known as thermionic valve.

First Generation

Computers that used vacuum tubes; they were expensive, bulky, and not capable of multitasking.

ABC (Atanasoff Berry Computer)

Early electronic computer developed by John V. Atanasoff (circa 1937–1939), often regarded as the first electronic computer.

Z Machine

Early computer by Konrad Zuse capable of handling binary and floating-point numbers (1941).

ENIAC

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator; first general-purpose electronic computer capable of storing and saving programs (1946).

Hollerith Card (Punch Card)

Punched card used to input data and programs; a medium of data representation.

ERMA

Electronic Recording Machine Accounting; automated bookkeeping system delivered to Bank of America in 1959.

Second Generation

Generation characterized by the use of transistors, making computers smaller and cheaper.

Transistor

Solid-state device that replaces vacuum tubes as a switch/amplifier in circuits.

PDP-8

First minicomputer launched by DEC in 1968, signaling a smaller class of computers.

ARPANET

Early computer network initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Defense beginning in 1969.

Integrated Circuit (IC)

A micro-scale semiconductor containing multiple transistors; key to the third generation.

Third Generation

Generation where integrated circuits enabled faster, smaller, and more efficient computers.

Microprocessor

CPU integrated on a single integrated circuit, central to the Fourth Generation.

Fourth Generation

Period (approx. 1971–1991) dominated by microprocessors and personal computers.

Intel 8080

Microprocessor introduced in 1972; an early influential single-chip CPU.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The brain of the computer; hardware component that executes instructions and processes data.

Memory

Storage area where data and programs reside during processing; volatile or non-volatile in nature.

RAM

Random Access Memory; volatile primary memory; data is lost when power is off.

ROM

Read-Only Memory; non-volatile memory that stores firmware and cannot be easily changed.

ALU

Arithmetic Logic Unit; performs arithmetic operations and logical comparisons.

Control Unit

Part of the CPU that coordinates fetch, decode, and execute cycles.

Motherboard

Main circuit board that connects the CPU to memory, I/O, and other components.

Hardware

Physical components of a computer system.

Software

Programs and operating instructions that run on hardware.

People

Users or operators who interact with and operate the computer.

Data

Facts or raw information processed by a computer.

Input/Output Devices

Devices that accept data (input) and provide processed results (output).

Keyboard

A common input device used to enter text and commands.

Disk

Storage device used for permanent data storage, typically magnetic or optical.

Disk Drive

Hardware that reads from and writes to disks.

Hard Disk

High-capacity, primary storage device; non-volatile storage.

Diskette

Floppy disk; removable magnetic storage medium.

Tape Drive

Magnetic tape storage used for backups and archival storage.

CD-ROM

Compact Disc Read-Only Memory; optical storage that is read but not written to.

CD-RW

Compact Disc Re-Writable; optical storage that can be written to multiple times.