History of Computer

Solved Question Answers

1) What is an Abacus? Explain the features of Abacus in short.

Ans: An abacus is the first mechanical calculating device which was developed by either China or Egypt in 3000 B.C. It is used for making arithmetic calculations, consisting of a frame set with rods on which beads are moved. On the upper smaller portion (Heaven) of each rod are two beads and on the lower portion (Earth) five beads. It was used to perform simple calculations like addition and subtraction. 

2) What were the contribution of Blaise Pascal in the development of automatic computers?

Ans: Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical adding machine called Pascaline in 1642 A.D. which worked on clock work mechanism principle. It consists of eight dials, gears and wheels. The machine was capable of performing additions and subtractions which was later on used in different automatic computers. 

3) How did Joseph Jacquard contribute to the evolution of computer?

Ans: Joseph Jacquard played an important role in the development of the earliest programmable loom 'The Jacquard Loom'. The Jacquard Loom was the first machine to use punch cards. Those punch cards controlled the weaving enabling an ordinary workman to produce the most beautiful patterns in fabric.  

4) What inventions led to the development of today's modern computers?

Ans: The two major inventions of Charles Babbage i.e. Analytical Engine and Difference Engine led to the development of today's modern computers.

5) Explain in short the contribution made by Herman Hollerith. 

Ans: Herman Hollerith was an American inventor who developed a mechanical tabulating machine. He is the founder of modern information processing. His machine was used to gather information for the 1890 census more efficiently.  

6) Who constructed an electromechanical computer? What is the use of this machine?

Ans: Howard Aiken constructed an electromechanical computer in 1937 A.D. It was used by the US Navy in calculating tables to aid in the aiming of artillery shells and bombs until the end of World War II in early 1945. The Mark-I was officially known as ASCC (Automatic Sequenced Controlled Calculator). 

7) Name the first general purpose electronic digital computer designed for commercial use. List its any two features.

Ans: The first general purpose electronic digital computer designed for commercial use is UNIVAC-I (Universal Automatic Computer-I) which was designed and developed by John William Macuhly and J.P. Eckert.

Any two features of UNIVAC-I are given below.

• It was 8 ft high, 15 ft long, weighed 5 tons and consumed about 100 kilowatts electric power.
• It consisted of magnetic tape for data input and output.

8) What is IBM-PC? Who created IBM-PC?

Ans: IBM-PC which stands for International Business Machine Personal Computer is the brand name of the first popular commercial Personal Computer developed by the IBM-PC. 

           It was created by the team of engineers and designed under the direction of Don Estridge of the IBM Entry Systems Division in Boca Raton, Florida. 

9) What is Napier's Bone? Who invented it?

Ans: Napier's Bone is a computing device that consist of multiplication tables inscribed on strips of wood or bone. 

John Napier invented Napier's Bone in 1617 A.D.

10) Who invented the slide rule and when? On what principle does it works?

Ans: William Oughtred invented the slide rule in 1620 A.D. 

It works on the principle that the actual distance from the beginning of the ruler is proportional to the logarithm of the number printed on the ruler. 

11) Who is known as the 'Father of Computer' and why? Mention his contribution.

Ans: Charles Babbage is known as the 'Father of Computer' because his concept of IPOS cycle (Input, Process, Output, Storage) led to the development of modern advanced computers. Actually, he has tried all of his best to complete his two major inventions i.e. Analytical Engine and Difference Engine with this concept but due to the lack of technology and financial problems he was unable to complete his project at that time. Later on the concept of IPOS cycle was introduced in other various First Generation Computers. 

12) Who is the first computer programmer in the history of computer and why?

Ans: Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace is considered as the first computer programmer in the history of computer because she was the first person to derive an algorithm for an early computing machine such as Analytical Engine which were existed only in paper as well as she was the person to derive the method of using punch cards to calculate the Bernoulli numbers also which was so helpful for the major inventions of Charles Babbage. 

13) What is the official name of Mark-I?

Ans: The official name of Mark-I is Harvard-IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC).

14) What is ABC? Write its use.

Ans: ABC which stands for Atanasoff Berry Computer is the first automatic electronic digital computer which was invented by Professor John Vincent Atanasoff and his graduate student Clifford Berry in 1937 and was continued development until 1942 at the Lowa State College (Now Lowa State University). 

The Atansoff Berry Computer was introduced to solve the systems of linear algebraic equations.

15) Write short notes on history of computer in Nepal.

Ans: The history of computer in Nepal, dates back to 2028, B.S. (1972 A.D) when a Second Generation IBM 1401 computer was initially hired on rent by The Government of Nepal, paying Rs. One Lakh Twenty Five Thousand per month to use in the census of that year. After that the computer was purchased by the government for further data processing in Bureau of Statistics.

                 
                  Later in 2031, B.S. (1975 A.D) Electronic Data Processing Center (EDPC) named as "Yantrik Sarinikaran Kendra" in Nepali language was established in the capital city which is nowadays called National Computer Center (NCC). Another British model computer called ICL 2950/10 having 64 terminals was purchased for the census of 2038 B.S.

Micro computer such as Apple, Vector and Sirus were introduced in the capital city of Nepal Kathmandu for the first time in 2039 B.S. The companies such as Computer Consultancy (CC), Management Information Processing System (MIPS) and Data System International (DSI) were established. After that computers has been introduced to different sectors such as banks, hospitals, industries, agriculture, universities, etc. Nowadays we can see thousands of computer institutes and different universities providing education on computers and their assembling throughout the country for the technical education and to make technically developed country.

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