The Invention is the Thing
Name of the conceptual general-purpose, steam-powered, programmable computer designed by Charles Babbage in the 1830's intended to perform complex calculations using punch cards. Although it was never actually built until the 1990's, it is considered the ancestor of modern computers.
What is the Analytical Engine?
The process of identifying and fixing errors in a system's software or hardware. The term is associated with the story of Grace Hopper removing a moth from the Harvard Mark II.
What is Debugging?
Information stored by a computer.
What is data?
A visual or graphics representation of an algorithm. Helps to better organize code and identify errors more quickly.
What is a flowchart?
Branch of computer science that explores whether or not computers can be taught to reason and learn like humans.
What is artificial intelligence?
This high-level programming language was built in the 1990's for the US Department of Defense. It is designed for building very large software systems that can be compiled separately. It is named in honor of the Enchantress of Numbers, the Countess of Lovelace.
What is Ada?
Ada Lovelace was made to practice this type of school work anytime she showed any Byron tendencies of rebellion or imagination.
What is math?
Is a computer program which converts the source code into machine language ONE line at a time.
What is an interpreter?
Type of graphic displayed as a matrix of pixels represented in binary code.
What are bit-mapped graphics?
A standard 7 bit code of 128 characters that made it easier for computers to represent and share data. The problem is that it was only designed to work with characters used in English or the languages of Western Europe. As global exchanges became more common with the Internet, this code had limited usefulness.
What is ASCII?
The electro-mechanical decryption device used by British Intelligence to break the secret Enigma Code used by the Nazis in WWII. It's a play on the words for a type of artillery or something awesome in today's language.
What is The BOMBE?
Although this performance art is said to calm the savage beasts, Charles Babbage often became enraged at this group of its practitioners and campaigned for laws against them.
What are street musicians?
Data structure used for processes that you have to do repeatedly. Continues to execute a section of code until the desired conditions are met. Saves time because it prevents the same code, doesn't have to be rewritten each time it will be used. Common types include: For, While, and Do-While.
What is a loop?
An artificial and informal language that helps programmers write algorithms.
What is pseudocode?
Standard code that uses a 16 bit code that can represent many more characters in more languages than the American Standard Code for Information Exchange.
What is Unicode?
"The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns, just as the Jacquard Loom weaves flowers and leaves." quote from Ada King, Countess of Lovelace. This quote is describes binary data saved on which type of medium.
What is the punch card?
Grace Hopper's clock ran in this unusual pattern as a visual reminder that humans should not be allergic to change and to embrace innovation.
What is counterclockwise?
Repeating a set of steps continuously with each repetition leading to a slightly different or refined solution/version.
What is the iterative process?
Images created by paths of lines, squares, triangles, or curvy shapes. Can be scaled to size without losing image quality/high quality resolution, but can't be edited.
What are vector graphics?
This programming pioneer thought that the early computer, the Analytical Engine could only do what it was programmed to do, but didn't have the ability to come up with solutions on its own. She believed that machines would only have minds if they could create something new without human input.
Who is Ada Lovelace?
Grace Hopper designed this type of software program that translates high-level programming language into machine language, which computers can understand and execute. Allows programmers to write code in human language.
What is a compiler?
Charles Babbage gifted this personal item to two museums as evidence of his brilliance.
What is his brain?
Programming example in which the automobile is constantly checking wheel speed and adjust brake pressure accordingly preventing lockup.
What is an anti-lock brake system?
Number system that uses 16 symbols (0-9 and A-F) as a shortcut to binary code. Used to set webpage colors.
What are hexadecimals?
Test developed by Alan Turing to see if a person can tell which responses were provided by humans verses those provided by computers. Used to assess if a machine can exhibit human-like intelligence.
What is the Turing Test?