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01. Categories Of Computers And Computer Languages

Answer in one line

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Last edited 10 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 01. Categories Of Computers And Computer Languages

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Answer in one line

What are the three bases on which computers can be categorized?

Computers can be categorized on the basis of their type or functioning, purpose, and size, speed, processing power, and cost.

What is the primary difference in how analog and digital computers operate?

Analog computers operate by measuring continuously changeable physical quantities, while digital computers use digits (binary numbers 0’s and 1’s) to generate, process, and display data.

Give one example of a hybrid computer.

The heartbeat measuring machine used in hospitals is a common example of a hybrid computer.

How do general-purpose and special-purpose computers differ in their tasks?

General-purpose computers can perform many different tasks equally well, whereas special-purpose computers are designed to do a specific job very quickly and efficiently and cannot perform other tasks.

What is another name for a microcomputer?

A microcomputer is also called a Personal Computer (PC).

List two examples of microcomputers.

Two examples of microcomputers are desktops and laptops.

How does a laptop’s portability differ from a desktop’s?

A laptop is small and portable, designed for use while traveling due to its built-in battery, whereas a desktop is developed for regular use in a single location and is not portable.

What makes a tablet distinct from a laptop in terms of input?

A tablet primarily uses a touchscreen as its input device, whereas a laptop typically uses a built-in keyboard and mouse.

What is the main use of minicomputers?

Minicomputers are mainly used for scientific and engineering computations and can serve multiple users simultaneously.

Name two common minicomputers mentioned in the chapter.

Two common minicomputers mentioned are PDP-11 and HP-3000.

Where are mainframe computers commonly used?

Mainframe computers are generally used in big organizations such as banks, where a large amount of data is processed.

What are two examples of mainframe computers?

Two examples of mainframe computers are IBM zSeries and ICL 39.

What are supercomputers primarily used for in large organizations and government departments?

Supercomputers are primarily used in very big organizations and government departments for tasks such as weather forecasting and rocket launching.

List two supercomputers other than PARAM.

Two supercomputers other than PARAM are PACE and Titan.

How does an embedded computer differ from a general-purpose computer?

An embedded computer is a special microprocessor-based system designed for a specific task, unlike a general-purpose computer which can perform a wide range of tasks.

Name two functions of a digital camera as an embedded computer.

A digital camera’s main functions are to capture photos and shoot videos.

What is the main function of an ATM?

The main function of an ATM is to allow users to withdraw money from their bank account anywhere and anytime.

What are two common examples of handheld computers?

Two common examples of handheld computers are smartphones and smartwatches.

How does a smartphone compare in size to a tablet computer?

The size of a smartphone is smaller than that of a tablet computer, making it easily pocketable.

What is the primary purpose of a gaming console?

A gaming console is a computing device specially designed to play video games.

Name two gaming consoles mentioned in the chapter.

Two gaming consoles mentioned are Sony Playstation and Nintendo Wii.

Why are specialized languages needed to communicate with computers?

Specialized languages are needed to communicate with computers because computers cannot understand instructions given in human languages like English.

What is a “computer program”?

A computer program is a set of instructions written in a programming language that tells the computer what specific task to perform.

What are binary digits, and what do 0 and 1 represent?

Binary digits, or bits, are the two digits (0 and 1) used in machine language, where ‘0’ represents the OFF state and ‘1’ represents the ON state.

What is the key characteristic of a machine-dependent programming language?

A program written in a machine-dependent language runs only on one particular type of computer and is not easily portable to other types of computers.

How did assembly language overcome the inconvenience of machine language?

Assembly language overcame the inconvenience of machine language by allowing program codes to be written in alphanumeric symbols called ‘Mnemonics’ instead of just 0s and 1s.

Why are high-level languages considered “high-level”?

High-level languages are considered “high-level” because they are closer to human languages, making them easier for programmers to read, write, and maintain compared to low-level languages.

Can you name two examples of object-oriented Third Generation Languages (3GL)?

Two examples of object-oriented Third Generation Languages (3GL) are C++ and Java.

What is the primary difference in how 3GL and 4GL specify program actions?

3GL (Third Generation Languages) tell the computer what to accomplish and how to do it, while 4GL (Fourth Generation Languages) specify what the program should accomplish without explaining how.

In which fields are natural languages (5GL) popular?

Natural languages (5GL) are popular in the medical and scientific fields, often associated with expert systems and artificial intelligence.

What are two examples of Natural Languages (5GL)?

Two examples of Natural Languages (5GL) are Mercury and OPSS.

State one advantage of using a high-level language.

One advantage of using a high-level language is that it is user-friendly and similar to the English language, making it easier to understand and use for programming.

State one disadvantage of using a high-level language.

One disadvantage of using a high-level language is that it needs to be translated into machine language by a translator, which consumes a lot of the computer’s time.

What is the main function of a language translator?

The main function of a language translator is to convert a high-level language or assembly language into a machine language so that the computer can understand and execute it.

How does a compiler handle errors compared to an interpreter?

A compiler displays all errors for the whole program together after converting the entire program, whereas an interpreter displays errors for one line at a time and stops until the error is corrected.

What happens after an interpreter reads a code statement?

After an interpreter reads a code statement, it converts it to one or more machine language instructions and then immediately executes them.

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