Social Science - Quiz 15 - Pg. 31-33

How was programming the EDVAC different from the ENIAC?

• A list of instructions could be mapped as individual codes.

• Tapes and disks were used as inputs.

• A high-level programming language could be used to provide instructions.

• Programs were created by moving switches and wires.

• The same switch configuration could be used for all programs.

Answer explanation

Each instruction supported by the EDVAC is assigned an individual code. A programmer could input a list of codes for the EDVAC to carry out as instructions. This contrasts with the ENIAC where each program has to be manually configured. [31, 4]

Who designed the EDVAC?

• Herman Goldstine

• J. Presper Eckert

• John von Neumann

• Grace Hopper

• John Backus

Answer explanation

John von Neumann created the original design for the EDVAC in 1945, which would be more efficient than the ENIAC. [31, 4]

What is the function of the plan preparation machine?

• automating any general-purpose computer

• reducing the amount of codes that need to be entered into the computer

• auto completing instructions based on shorthand English

• generating programming commands as a series of codes

• translating programming instructions as codes

Answer explanation

The plan preparation machine was designed by Konrad Zuse to take instructions from a programmer. The instructions are then turned into numeric codes on tape that can be used by a computer. [31, 5]

What does an assembler turn into numeric code?

• hardware configuration

• binary codes

• algebraic equations

• plain English

• mnemonics

Answer explanation

An assembler turned an assembly language, which uses simple mnemonic instructions, into numeric codes run by the computer. [31, 6]

What concepts do programmers NOT have to consider while working with an assembly language?

• mathematical functions

• memory address

• numeric codes

• instruction format

• architecture

Answer explanation

Programmers do not have to memorize numeric codes for the computer’s instruction set while working with an assembly language. However, they still have to remember other low-level details such as architecture. [32, 3]

What is a key feature of a high-level programming language?

• syntax that uses a mixture of math and English

• the ability to generate new instructions for a computer

• binary codes written by the programmer

• data physically stored in taller sections of a computer

• mnemonic assembly instructions

Answer explanation

A high-level programming language uses a syntax that is a mixture of math and English. Rather than memorizing numeric codes for the computer’s instructions, programmers can focus on the bigger picture. [32, 4]

Which computer scientist is MOST commonly associated with popularizing the concept of high-level languages?

• Kathleen McNulty

• Jean Bartik

• John Backus

• Grace Hopper

• John Mauchly

Answer explanation

Grace Hopper was assigned by the U.S. Navy to assist in programming the Mark I, where she realized that programmers would be more productive if they used compilers. [32, 4]

Grace Hopper was enlisted in the United States

• Coast Guard

• Air Force

• Marines

• Navy

• Army

Answer explanation

Grace Hopper was a computer scientist assigned by the U.S. Navy to assist in programming the Mark I at Harvard. [32, 5]

What kind of code are native computer instructions today?

• mnemonic

• source

• numeric

• binary

• object

Answer explanation

Native computer instructions are called object code. They can be converted from highlevel instructions, or source code, by compilers. [32, 6]

For which company did John Mauchly want Grace Hopper to work?

• Eckert-Mauchly Computer

• ENIAC

• IBM

• UNIVAC

• Intel

Answer explanation

John Maunchly convinced Grace Hopper to work for Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation, where she helped design the UNIVAC as well as a series of compilers. [32, 6]