The first general purpose mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage in the nineteenth century was called what?

Introduction / Context:
This question is part of the history of computing. Charles Babbage, a British mathematician and inventor, is often referred to as the father of the computer because of his designs for programmable mechanical devices. He proposed more than one machine, including the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine. The question asks you to identify the specific name of his general purpose mechanical computer design, which is a common fact in computer awareness and general knowledge exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The designer mentioned is Charles Babbage.
• The subject is a mechanical computer, not an electronic one.
• The question focuses on the first general purpose design that could be considered a true computer concept.
• Options mention super computer, abacus, calculator, Analytical Engine and Difference Engine.

Concept / Approach:
Babbage designed two famous machines. The Difference Engine was intended mainly for automatically calculating and printing mathematical tables, using the method of finite differences. It was specialised for that specific task. The Analytical Engine was a later, more ambitious design for a general purpose mechanical computer that could be programmed using punched cards, perform arithmetic operations, store data and execute conditional branches. This conceptual design anticipated many features of modern computers, such as a central processing unit and memory. Therefore, when the question asks about the first mechanical computer designed by Babbage in the sense of a general purpose programmable machine, the correct name is Analytical Engine.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
History of computing texts describe the Analytical Engine as Babbage's visionary design that included a store (memory), a mill (processing unit), input and output devices and the ability to be programmed by punched cards. Ada Lovelace wrote notes on the Analytical Engine that are sometimes considered the first computer programs. In contrast, the Difference Engine is always presented as a specialised machine for computing polynomial functions. Exam guides consistently state that the first mechanical computer designed by Babbage was called the Analytical Engine, even though the Difference Engine project came earlier chronologically. In the context of general purpose computing, Analytical Engine is the expected answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Super computer: This term refers to modern high speed electronic computers and is not a name used by Babbage.
• Abacus: The abacus is a manual counting frame used for arithmetic, invented long before Babbage.
• Calculator: This is a generic name and does not indicate the specific historical machine.
• Difference Engine: This was another machine designed by Babbage but intended for a specific purpose rather than as a general purpose mechanical computer.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Difference Engine and Analytical Engine because both are associated with Babbage. Some exam questions ask which machine was designed for table calculation, where Difference Engine is correct, while others ask about the first mechanical computer, where Analytical Engine is correct. To keep them straight, remember that difference suggests differences of numbers for tables, whereas analytical suggests analysis of many kinds of calculations, fitting the idea of a general purpose machine. Linking these word meanings to their functions helps you choose correctly under exam pressure.

Final Answer:
The first general purpose mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage was called the Analytical Engine.