Exam 1: An Introduction to Computer Science

Jacquard's Loom was considered the first "computing device" because it was ____ and had memory where information was stored in a machine-readable form.

______ operations are the "looping" instructions of an algorithm.

The history of ____ begins 3,000 years ago.

In ____ computer science, researchers study the logical and mathematical properties of problems and their solutions.

Computer science is the study of how to write computer programs.

All conceivable problems can be solved algorithmically.

The Pascaline and Leibnitz's Wheel are examples of early computers.

Explain the achievement of the Difference Engine of Charles Babbage, and explain the challenge he faced in trying to construct the larger model.

Charles Babbage gave up on his second ____________________ because the current technology could not support his project.

Define each of the categories to which the operations used to construct algorithms belong. Provide two to three examples within each category.

An algorithm may be too ____ to be of any use.

The statement "If the mixture is too dry, then add one-half cup of water to the bowl" is an example of a(n)iterative operation. _________________________

The Analytical Engine was the first computing device to use the base-2 binary numbering system. _________________________

The discovery by Gödel places a limit on the capabilities of computers and computer scientists. _________________________

An operation that is ____ is called a primitive operation of the computing agent carrying out the algorithm.

What was the major change brought about by the second generation of computing?

FORTRAN and COBOL, the first high-level (English-like)programming languages, appeared during the first generation of computing. _________________________

At its most basic level, computer science is the study of algorithms.

Algorithms usually contain a set of instructions to be executed in a specific order.

List at least six of the recent developments of the fifth generation of computing.