Supercomputing and Exascale Computing Quiz

What is the primary difference between supercomputers and regular computers like laptops?

• Supercomputers are smaller and more portable.

• Supercomputers are used for simple calculations.

• Supercomputers are less powerful than laptops.

• Supercomputers can take up entire buildings and solve complex problems.

What does FLOPS stand for in computing?

• Fast logical operations per second

• File loading operations per second

• Fixed-line operations per second

• Floating-point operations per second

How many operations per second can exascale computers perform?

• 1 trillion

• 1 quadrillion

• 1 sextillion

• 1 quintillion

Why is exascale computing important for climate change research?

• It can predict weather patterns accurately.

• It can reduce carbon emissions directly.

• It can replace traditional climate models.

• It can simulate large-scale phenomena with many variables.

What is a major cost associated with exascale systems?

• Inexpensive maintenance

• High electricity usage and cooling requirements

• Minimal energy consumption

• Low initial investment

How do exascale machines differ in their 'thinking' compared to predecessors?

• They require different processor connections and memory storage.

• They do not require software changes.

• They use the same processing methods.

• They are slower in processing data.

What is a significant challenge in transitioning from petascale to exascale computing?

• No need for code changes

• Minor hardware adjustments

• Major code overhaul and new software programming

• Simple software updates

Which supercomputer was initially expected to be the first exascale machine in the U.S.?

• Titan

• El Capitan

• Aurora

• Frontier

Which country is also in the race to achieve exascale computing alongside the U.S.?

• Brazil

• China

• Germany

• India

What is the role of software engineers in the era of exascale computing?

• They have no significant role.

• They only maintain existing systems.

• They innovate new software to harness exascale power.

• They focus on hardware development.