Application Based Questions

Prepared by: learnloophq@gmail.com

Last edited 10 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 01. Categories Of Computers And Computer Languages

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Sunita bought a washing machine with features like water heating and level sensing. Her daughter, Mini, said it has an embedded computer. Is Mini correct, and why would such a device need an embedded computer?

Yes, Mini is correct. The washing machine has an embedded computer because it’s a specialized microprocessor-based system developed to perform specific tasks within the appliance. It controls functions like water temperature, level, and washing modes, ensuring the machine operates automatically and efficiently without needing to be a general-purpose computer.

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A student needs a computer for school projects, watching videos, and playing light games, often needing to move it between rooms or to a friend’s house. What type of computer would be most suitable, and why?

A laptop or a tablet would be most suitable for this student. Both are microcomputers, designed for personal use, and offer the portability needed to move between rooms or take to a friend’s house. They are general-purpose devices capable of handling school projects, video playback, and light gaming effectively.

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Imagine you are a programmer developing a new mobile application. Why would you choose a high-level programming language like Python or Java over a low-level language like Machine Language for this task?

As a programmer, I would choose a high-level language because it is user-friendly and resembles human languages like English, making the code much easier to read, write, and maintain. This significantly reduces development time and effort compared to machine language, which consists only of complex binary digits (0s and 1s) and is extremely difficult to work with directly.

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A bank needs a powerful computer system to manage millions of customer accounts and process countless transactions daily. Which category of computer would be most appropriate for this scale of operation, and why?

A mainframe computer would be most appropriate for a bank’s operations. These computers are very large, fast, and powerful, specifically designed to handle immense amounts of data and process a high volume of transactions concurrently. Their robustness and reliability are crucial for critical applications like banking where data integrity and continuous operation are paramount.

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Your friend is confused about how a single program written in a human-like language can run on different computers. Explain the role of a “language translator” in making this possible.

A language translator is essential because computers only understand machine language (binary code), not human-like high-level languages. The translator converts the entire program (or line by line) from the human-like language into machine language. This translation process allows the same high-level program to be executed on different computer systems, as long as each system has its appropriate translator to convert the code into its native machine language.

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Why wouldn’t a typical family need a supercomputer or a mainframe computer for their home use, even though these are the most powerful machines?

A typical family wouldn’t need a supercomputer or mainframe at home due to their extreme cost, massive physical size, and complex operational requirements. These machines are designed for highly specialized, large-scale tasks like weather forecasting or managing vast organizational data, which far exceed common home computing needs. Microcomputers (like laptops and desktops) are perfectly sufficient and far more practical for everyday home activities like browsing, entertainment, and personal tasks.

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When you use an ATM to withdraw money, how is that machine behaving like a computer, and what specialized task does it perform?

When you use an ATM, it behaves like an embedded computer because it has a specialized computer system inside. This system processes your inputs (like PIN and withdrawal amount), communicates with the bank’s central server to verify your account and balance, and then controls the dispensing of cash. Its specialized task is to facilitate automated financial transactions, specifically allowing users to withdraw money from their bank accounts anytime and anywhere.

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You’ve heard that some programming languages are called “generations.” If you were to explain how languages have evolved to a classmate, what key characteristic would you highlight for each generation (1GL, 3GL, 5GL) to show this evolution?

To explain language evolution by generations: For 1GL (Machine Language), I’d highlight its direct use of binary (0s and 1s), which is machine-understandable but incredibly hard for humans. For 3GL (Third Generation Languages), I’d emphasize the shift to English-like words and mathematical operators, making them much more human-friendly and easier to write. Lastly, for 5GL (Fifth Generation Languages), I’d point out their advanced use of visual tools and association with AI, aiming for very high ease of use or even natural language interaction.

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