Teach Computer Science

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The Teach Computer Science Team

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Teach Computer Science
GSCE Computing

Introduction to
Computers

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 1.

Revision notes

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Introduction
A computer is any device or machine that can be programmed to
carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically.
Computers are also called general purpose machines, as most of the
computers with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) are used in many
different applications. For example: smartphones and tablets. To
perform these wide ranges of functions, a computer is installed with
various software. Web browsers, video calling, word processing and
games are a few examples of software.
A computer designed to perform a special function is called a special
purpose machine. The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) was the first
automatic digital computer designed specifically to find the solution
of systems of simultaneous and linear equations.

Figure 1: Atanasoff-Berry computer (ABC)

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Evolution of computers
Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace developed the first general
purpose machine, the analytical engine, in 1837. In 1935, Alan Turing,
a mathematician and code-breaker, developed a design for how
modern computers would work with various programs to perform
different functions.
The Colossus, built by engineer Tommy Flowers in the 1940s at
Bletchley Park, helped British cryptographers decode German
messages, which helped win WWII.
German inventor Konrad Zuse developed the first programmable
computer, Z3, in 1941. This computer was used to analyse the wing
flutter of aircraft during World War Two. The data and programs
were stored in a punched film.
The invention of transistors in the 1970s has played a very important
role in the transformation of computers. Moore’s law describes that
computers are becoming smaller over a period of years, that the
number of transistors doubles every two years, and that the
processing speed of computers is also increasing each year. The
following figure shows the evolution of computers in a timeline.

Figure 2: Evolution of computers in a timeline

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 2.

Activities

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Activity 1
Duration: 15 minutes

A. Complete the blank timeline to fill in any four important

inventions in the evolution of computers in the order of its
occurrence. You may include the name of the inventor or device
along with its functionality.

B. Complete the input-process-output model for a printer.

Input Process Output

C. List any five applications of a computer.

a) __________________________________

b) __________________________________

c) __________________________________

d) __________________________________

e) __________________________________

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Activity 1
Duration: 15 minutes

A. Complete the blank timeline to fill in any four important

inventions in the evolution of computers in the order of its
occurrence. You may include the name of the inventor or device
along with its functionality.

Tommy Flowers: Konrad Zuse: The

Charles Babbage Alan Turing: The Colossus was first
and Ada Lovelace: How the modern used by British programmable
First general computer works cryptographers to computer, Z3,
purpose machine, with programs to data and
decode German
analytical engine perform different programs were
messages in WWII. stored in punched
functions
film

B. Complete the input-process-output model for a printer.

Input Process Output

Document from a Send the image of

Printed page from
word processor or this file to the
printer
pdf file printer

C. List any five applications of a computer.

a) Cryptography

b) Simulation and modelling

c) Robotics

d) Data crunching

e) Biologically-inspired engineering

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Flashcards

A computer is any device or

machine that can be
programmed to carry out
Define computer. sequences of arithmetic or
logical operations
automatically.

What is a special A computer designed to

perform a specific function
purpose is called a special purpose
machine? machine.

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Glossary

A component of computational thinking

where certain non-essential characteristics of
Abstraction
objects or systems are removed so that it is
reduced to a simple set of characteristics.
The first general purpose machine invented
Analytical engine in 1837 by Charles Babbage and Ada
Lovelace.

A set of logical steps to be followed to

Algorithm
perform a particular task.

The first automatic digital computer

Atanasoff-Berry designed specifically to find the solution of
Computer (ABC) systems of simultaneous and linear
equations.

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Quiz
1. A computer designed specifically to find the solution of systems
of simultaneous and linear equations is an example of what type
of computer?
A. General purpose computer
B. Special purpose computer
C. Control systems

2. What was the function of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer?

A. Video gaming
B. Solving systems of equations
C. Decoding messages

3. What is the contribution of Alan Turing to the evolution of

computers?
A. Developed the design of how computers would interact with
programs
B. Invention of transistors
C. Developed a computer that helped the British
cryptographers to decode German messages

4. Who developed the first general purpose machine?

A. Tommy Flowers
B. Konrad Zuse
C. Charles Babbage

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 Teach Computer Science

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 Teach Computer Science

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