CSE 1100 Tutorial Worksheet 1 – History of Computers

1. Compare and contrast the fields of Computer Science, Information Technology and
Information Systems.
2. Read the article, "The Creation Myth" by Malcolm Gladwell, and answer the following
questions:
a) What drove Steve Jobs to Coyote Hill - Xerox Parc?
b) What improvements did Apple make after viewing Xerox Parc's personal
computer?
c) What role did IDEO, Starkweather and Goldman play in the history of
computing?
d) Is there a difference between Innovation and Invention? If yes, what are
the differences?
e) Identify notable inventions and innovations that were presented in the
article.
3. Why was Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine fully built several decades after it was
designed?

4. Is it possible to compute multiplication and division, by using just the addition (+)
and/or subtraction (-) operators? If yes, demonstrate with the use of an example.

5. Applying the Al-Khwarizmi’s principle, find the average of 5 numbers.

6. For each of the given Technological Development (Column one) state the corresponding
Generation of Computers (Column two) in which this development took
place.
Technological Generation of
Development Computers

Transistors

Microprocessor

Artificial Intelligence

Integrated Circuits

Vacuum Tubes

7. What is Moore’s Law? How has it served as major driver for the computing industry?
Are there limits to Moore’s Law?