Exercises 39 - 55 are short answer.
What do we mean by the statement that the 1980s an 1990s must be characterized by the changing
profile of the user?
The original user was the programmer who had a problem to solve. By the 1970s, application
programs were being written such that non-programmers could use them to solve problems. With
the advent of the personal computer, many people began using the computer for personal
correspondence, personal accounts, and games.
Why was Mosaic important?
Mosaic was the first graphics-capable browser. It ushered in the world of user-friendly browsers
such as Netscape, Internet Explorer, and Firefox.
Discuss the browser wars.
Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer were the big competing user-friendly browsers.
Microsoft's IE was bundled with the Window's operating system, giving IE the edge, which led to a
monopoly lawsuit. However, the damage was done and IE was the winner.
Describe how the Web changed after 2002.
The advent of social networking sites allowed users to provide content to Internet sites. Blogging,
both personal and professional also changed the character of Internet content. This change is
sometimes referred to as Web 2.0.
Of the predictions listed, which do you consider the biggest error in judgment?
This is a personal choice; no answer needed.
Name the four areas in which the practitioner must be skilled.
Algorithmic thinking, representation (of data storage), programming, and design.
Distinguish between computing as a tool and computing as a discipline.
Computing as a tool refers to the use of computing to solve problems in a person's professional or
personal life. Computing as a discipline refers to the study of the body of knowledge that makes up
computer science and/or computer engineering.
Is computing a mathematical discipline, a scientific discipline, or an engineering discipline? Explain.
Computing is neither a mathematical discipline nor a scientific discipline nor an engineering
discipline; it has roots in all three disciplines. Boolean algebra, logic, and numerical analysis
contribute greatly to the foundations of computing. Simulation and model building from the
scientific discipline contribute to the foundations of computing. The techniques from engineering
of building large systems contribute to the foundations of computing.
Distinguish between systems areas and applications areas in computing as a discipline.
The systems areas of computing as a discipline relate to the understanding and building of computer
tools: algorithms and data structures, programming languages, (computer) architecture, operating
systems, software methodology and engineering, and human-computer communication. The
applications areas in computing relate to the computer's use as a tool: numerical computation,
databases and informational retrieval, artificial intelligence and robotics, graphics, organizational
informatics, and bioinformatics.
Define the word abstraction and relate it to the drawing in Figure 1.2.
An abstraction is a mental model that removes complex details. An abstraction lets the viewer see
only those details that are relevant to the user's view. An engine is a mental model of a car from the
builder or mechanic's view. The cockpit is the mental model for an ordinary driver, who does not
have to know the details of the engine in order to drive the car.
Compare Tables 1 and 2. What trends to you see?
An emergence of topics relating to the Web and the Internet is an obvious trend.
Define the word protocol and explain how it is used in computing.
A protocol is a code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and procedure (as in a diplomatic
exchange). Computing terminology has borrowed the word to describe the correct etiquette for
computers to use when communicating with one another.
Distinguish between machine language and assembly language.
Machine language is the language that is built into the electrical circuitry of a computer. Assembly
language is a language made up of mnemonic codes that represent machine-language instructions.
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