Question
Instructions: Answer the following questions based on the concepts and technology portrayed in the movie The Social Network. Be sure to provide detailed explanations where required.
Part 1: Multiple Choice (10 Questions)
What programming language did Mark Zuckerberg use to build Facemash?
a) Python
b) C++
c) Perl
d) PHP
Which database management system is prominently mentioned in the film?
a) MySQL
b) PostgreSQL
c) MongoDB
d) Oracle
What was the purpose of the "crawler" script Mark wrote for Facemash?
a) To optimize page load speed
b) To collect images from Harvard’s directories
c) To analyze network traffic
d) To encrypt user data
Which of the following algorithms is discussed in relation to comparing photos?
a) QuickSort
b) PageRank
c) Elo rating system
d) AES encryption
How did the site 'The Facebook' initially manage user authentication?
a) OAuth tokens
b) Email verification
c) SMS verification
d) Cookie-based sessions
Part 2: Short Answer (10 Questions)
Explain how Mark's use of PHP and Apache helped him quickly develop and deploy Facemash.
Describe how DNS plays a role in the launch of The Facebook.
Discuss the concept of server load and how it became an issue for Facemash.
What is the significance of using an SQL injection technique, as seen in the movie?
Briefly describe the role of an algorithm in determining the ranking of photos on Facemash.
Part 3: Essay Questions (10 Questions)
Analyze the ethical implications of scraping data from university directories without permission.
Discuss the importance of scalability in the context of The Facebook's growth.
How did cloud hosting solutions differ in the early 2000s compared to modern solutions, and how would this impact The Facebook today?
How do security vulnerabilities, such as those exploited in Facemash, affect modern social media platforms?
Compare the technological approach used in The Facebook's initial development with how a similar project would be developed today using modern technologies (e.g., React, Node.js).
Discuss the role of version control in collaborative software development, particularly in a team setting like Facebook’s early days.
Explain how social graph theory influenced the structure of Facebook’s friend connections.
What impact did open-source software have on the development of Facebook?
Describe the legal and ethical considerations surrounding data privacy portrayed in the movie.
Reflect on how rapid prototyping played a role in Facebook's early success.
Submission Guidelines:
Please write your answers in a separate document and submit it as per your instructor’s guidelines.
Make sure to support your arguments with examples from the movie and real-world technology concepts.
Part 1: Multiple Choice (10 Questions)
What programming language did Mark Zuckerberg use to build Facemash?
a) Python
b) C++
c) Perl
d) PHP
Which database management system is prominently mentioned in the film?
a) MySQL
b) PostgreSQL
c) MongoDB
d) Oracle
What was the purpose of the "crawler" script Mark wrote for Facemash?
a) To optimize page load speed
b) To collect images from Harvard’s directories
c) To analyze network traffic
d) To encrypt user data
Which of the following algorithms is discussed in relation to comparing photos?
a) QuickSort
b) PageRank
c) Elo rating system
d) AES encryption
How did the site 'The Facebook' initially manage user authentication?
a) OAuth tokens
b) Email verification
c) SMS verification
d) Cookie-based sessions
Part 2: Short Answer (10 Questions)
Explain how Mark's use of PHP and Apache helped him quickly develop and deploy Facemash.
Describe how DNS plays a role in the launch of The Facebook.
Discuss the concept of server load and how it became an issue for Facemash.
What is the significance of using an SQL injection technique, as seen in the movie?
Briefly describe the role of an algorithm in determining the ranking of photos on Facemash.
Part 3: Essay Questions (10 Questions)
Analyze the ethical implications of scraping data from university directories without permission.
Discuss the importance of scalability in the context of The Facebook's growth.
How did cloud hosting solutions differ in the early 2000s compared to modern solutions, and how would this impact The Facebook today?
How do security vulnerabilities, such as those exploited in Facemash, affect modern social media platforms?
Compare the technological approach used in The Facebook's initial development with how a similar project would be developed today using modern technologies (e.g., React, Node.js).
Discuss the role of version control in collaborative software development, particularly in a team setting like Facebook’s early days.
Explain how social graph theory influenced the structure of Facebook’s friend connections.
What impact did open-source software have on the development of Facebook?
Describe the legal and ethical considerations surrounding data privacy portrayed in the movie.
Reflect on how rapid prototyping played a role in Facebook's early success.
Submission Guidelines:
Please write your answers in a separate document and submit it as per your instructor’s guidelines.
Make sure to support your arguments with examples from the movie and real-world technology concepts.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Part 1: Multiple Choice
1. **What programming language did Mark Zuckerberg use to build Facemash?**
- **c) Perl**
2. **Which database management system is prominently mentioned in the film?**
- **a) MySQL**
3. **What was the purpose of the "crawler" script Mark wrote for Facemash?**
- **b) To collect images from Harvard’s directories**
4. **Which of the following algorithms is discussed in relation to comparing photos?**
- **c) Elo rating system**
5. **How did the site 'The Facebook' initially manage user authentication?**
- **d) Cookie-based sessions**
### Part 2: Short Answer
1. **Explain how Mark's use of PHP and Apache helped him quickly develop and deploy Facemash.**
- Mark Zuckerberg utilized PHP, a server-side scripting language, and Apache, an open-source web server, to rapidly develop and deploy Facemash. PHP allowed for quick coding with its ease of integration into HTML, facilitating swift changes and updates. Apache's strong performance, configurability, and extensive community support meant that Mark could deploy his application without worrying about server issues, thus accelerating the development timeline.
2. **Describe how DNS plays a role in the launch of The Facebook.**
- Domain Name System (DNS) is crucial for converting human-readable domain names (like "thefacebook.com") into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. In the film, the choice of a domain name would have been instrumental in branding and accessibility, allowing users to easily find the site. Proper DNS configuration ensured that when users entered the address, they could access the server hosting The Facebook without complications.
3. **Discuss the concept of server load and how it became an issue for Facemash.**
- Server load refers to the amount of traffic a server can handle at any given time. Facemash experienced a sudden and massive influx of visitors, which led to a significant strain on the server. This overload caused slow response times and, ultimately, made the site crash, showcasing the challenges of managing server capacity when a site gains unexpected popularity.
4. **What is the significance of using an SQL injection technique, as seen in the movie?**
- SQL injection is a code injection technique that exploits vulnerabilities in an application’s software by allowing attackers to manipulate SQL queries. In the context of the movie, Mark's use of this technique to gain unauthorized access to databases represents both a clever and unethical approach to extracting data, highlighting the thin line between innovation and ethical integrity in software development.
5. **Briefly describe the role of an algorithm in determining the ranking of photos on Facemash.**
- An algorithm played a critical role in determining which photos were displayed and ranked higher on Facemash based on viewer preferences. By comparing pairs of photos and leveraging user interactions, the algorithm updated rankings dynamically, presenting images in a way that reflected users' favorable choices and drove engagement.
### Part 3: Essay Questions
1. **Analyze the ethical implications of scraping data from university directories without permission.**
- Scraping data without permission raises several ethical concerns, primarily centered around privacy and consent. By exploiting Harvard's directory, Mark demonstrated a blatant disregard for individuals' autonomy over their personal information. Ethically, the actions undertaken to create Facemash challenge norms around data ownership, raising questions about the responsibilities of developers to protect user privacy and the need for clear communication regarding data usage.
2. **Discuss the importance of scalability in the context of The Facebook's growth.**
- Scalability refers to the capacity of a system to handle growing amounts of work or its ability to accommodate growth. For The Facebook, ensuring a scalable architecture was crucial as user numbers multiplied rapidly. An effective scalable design would allow for adding more resources without requiring a complete redesign of the system, which is essential in a competitive environment where user experience and site performance are critical for retention and growth.
3. **How did cloud hosting solutions differ in the early 2000s compared to modern solutions, and how would this impact The Facebook today?**
- In the early 2000s, cloud hosting was in its infancy, characterized by limited options, scalability, and higher costs. Today’s cloud solutions, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud, offer vast infrastructure flexibility, elasticity, and more affordable pay-as-you-go models. If The Facebook were launched today, it could leverage these modern solutions to scale quickly, experiment with global reach, and deploy innovations more rapidly without the hardware constraints faced during its inception.
4. **How do security vulnerabilities, such as those exploited in Facemash, affect modern social media platforms?**
- Security vulnerabilities can have devastating impacts, leading to data breaches, loss of user trust, and legal repercussions. Modern social media platforms must implement robust security protocols, regular auditing, and user education to counteract similar threats, as effective security practices are necessary to protect sensitive user data in today's highly connected digital ecosystem.
5. **Compare the technological approach used in The Facebook's initial development with how a similar project would be developed today using modern technologies (e.g., React, Node.js).**
- Initial development for The Facebook primarily utilized PHP and MySQL for server-side logic and data management. In contrast, modern applications often use frameworks like React for dynamic frontend development, Node.js for scalable server-side logic, and NoSQL databases like MongoDB for flexibility in data handling. This contemporary stack allows for rapid development cycles, enhanced user interfaces, and more robust performance under heavy loads.
6. **Discuss the role of version control in collaborative software development, particularly in a team setting like Facebook’s early days.**
- Version control systems (VCS) are vital for managing changes to code over time, enabling multiple developers to collaborate efficiently. In Facebook’s early team environment, implementing a VCS would have been essential to manage contributions from various developers, track changes, resolve conflicts, and maintain a stable release cycle. This organizational structure helps mitigate risks associated with collaborative coding, fostering a more efficient development process.
7. **Explain how social graph theory influenced the structure of Facebook’s friend connections.**
- Social graph theory describes the relationships and connections between individuals in a social network. Facebook applied this theory to structure its friend connections, representing users and their associations as nodes and edges in a graph. This conceptual model allowed Facebook to visualize and analyze social connections, enhancing its features such as friend recommendations, news feeds, and targeted content delivery, ultimately creating a dynamic user experience.
8. **What impact did open-source software have on the development of Facebook?**
- Open-source software provided key technologies and frameworks that were foundational to Facebook's development. By utilizing open-source tools, Mark and his team benefitted from community support, collaboration, and shared innovations, reducing development time and costs. The movement towards open-source also highlights the importance of collaboration in technology, as it allows for improvements and adaptations that foster growth and creativity.
9. **Describe the legal and ethical considerations surrounding data privacy portrayed in the movie.**
- The movie highlights significant legal and ethical considerations regarding data privacy, particularly in terms of unauthorized data scraping and user consent. Mark's actions raise ethical questions about the ownership of personal information and the responsibility of developers to protect user data. As privacy laws evolve, these concerns are increasingly relevant, as platforms must navigate the balance between innovation and maintaining user trust and adherence to regulations.
10. **Reflect on how rapid prototyping played a role in Facebook's early success.**
- Rapid prototyping allowed Mark and his team to iterate quickly based on user feedback, enabling them to adapt the platform in real-time to meet user needs. This agile approach facilitated experimentation and refinement of features, contributing to user engagement and satisfaction. It exemplifies how early-stage startups can pivot and evolve based on real-world interactions, which is vital for sustained growth and relevance in the competitive social media landscape.
Submission Guidelines: Please compile your answers into a cohesive document adhering to the formatting guidelines specified by your instructor, ensuring clarity and proper citation of examples utilized within your responses.
1. **What programming language did Mark Zuckerberg use to build Facemash?**
- **c) Perl**
2. **Which database management system is prominently mentioned in the film?**
- **a) MySQL**
3. **What was the purpose of the "crawler" script Mark wrote for Facemash?**
- **b) To collect images from Harvard’s directories**
4. **Which of the following algorithms is discussed in relation to comparing photos?**
- **c) Elo rating system**
5. **How did the site 'The Facebook' initially manage user authentication?**
- **d) Cookie-based sessions**
### Part 2: Short Answer
1. **Explain how Mark's use of PHP and Apache helped him quickly develop and deploy Facemash.**
- Mark Zuckerberg utilized PHP, a server-side scripting language, and Apache, an open-source web server, to rapidly develop and deploy Facemash. PHP allowed for quick coding with its ease of integration into HTML, facilitating swift changes and updates. Apache's strong performance, configurability, and extensive community support meant that Mark could deploy his application without worrying about server issues, thus accelerating the development timeline.
2. **Describe how DNS plays a role in the launch of The Facebook.**
- Domain Name System (DNS) is crucial for converting human-readable domain names (like "thefacebook.com") into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. In the film, the choice of a domain name would have been instrumental in branding and accessibility, allowing users to easily find the site. Proper DNS configuration ensured that when users entered the address, they could access the server hosting The Facebook without complications.
3. **Discuss the concept of server load and how it became an issue for Facemash.**
- Server load refers to the amount of traffic a server can handle at any given time. Facemash experienced a sudden and massive influx of visitors, which led to a significant strain on the server. This overload caused slow response times and, ultimately, made the site crash, showcasing the challenges of managing server capacity when a site gains unexpected popularity.
4. **What is the significance of using an SQL injection technique, as seen in the movie?**
- SQL injection is a code injection technique that exploits vulnerabilities in an application’s software by allowing attackers to manipulate SQL queries. In the context of the movie, Mark's use of this technique to gain unauthorized access to databases represents both a clever and unethical approach to extracting data, highlighting the thin line between innovation and ethical integrity in software development.
5. **Briefly describe the role of an algorithm in determining the ranking of photos on Facemash.**
- An algorithm played a critical role in determining which photos were displayed and ranked higher on Facemash based on viewer preferences. By comparing pairs of photos and leveraging user interactions, the algorithm updated rankings dynamically, presenting images in a way that reflected users' favorable choices and drove engagement.
### Part 3: Essay Questions
1. **Analyze the ethical implications of scraping data from university directories without permission.**
- Scraping data without permission raises several ethical concerns, primarily centered around privacy and consent. By exploiting Harvard's directory, Mark demonstrated a blatant disregard for individuals' autonomy over their personal information. Ethically, the actions undertaken to create Facemash challenge norms around data ownership, raising questions about the responsibilities of developers to protect user privacy and the need for clear communication regarding data usage.
2. **Discuss the importance of scalability in the context of The Facebook's growth.**
- Scalability refers to the capacity of a system to handle growing amounts of work or its ability to accommodate growth. For The Facebook, ensuring a scalable architecture was crucial as user numbers multiplied rapidly. An effective scalable design would allow for adding more resources without requiring a complete redesign of the system, which is essential in a competitive environment where user experience and site performance are critical for retention and growth.
3. **How did cloud hosting solutions differ in the early 2000s compared to modern solutions, and how would this impact The Facebook today?**
- In the early 2000s, cloud hosting was in its infancy, characterized by limited options, scalability, and higher costs. Today’s cloud solutions, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud, offer vast infrastructure flexibility, elasticity, and more affordable pay-as-you-go models. If The Facebook were launched today, it could leverage these modern solutions to scale quickly, experiment with global reach, and deploy innovations more rapidly without the hardware constraints faced during its inception.
4. **How do security vulnerabilities, such as those exploited in Facemash, affect modern social media platforms?**
- Security vulnerabilities can have devastating impacts, leading to data breaches, loss of user trust, and legal repercussions. Modern social media platforms must implement robust security protocols, regular auditing, and user education to counteract similar threats, as effective security practices are necessary to protect sensitive user data in today's highly connected digital ecosystem.
5. **Compare the technological approach used in The Facebook's initial development with how a similar project would be developed today using modern technologies (e.g., React, Node.js).**
- Initial development for The Facebook primarily utilized PHP and MySQL for server-side logic and data management. In contrast, modern applications often use frameworks like React for dynamic frontend development, Node.js for scalable server-side logic, and NoSQL databases like MongoDB for flexibility in data handling. This contemporary stack allows for rapid development cycles, enhanced user interfaces, and more robust performance under heavy loads.
6. **Discuss the role of version control in collaborative software development, particularly in a team setting like Facebook’s early days.**
- Version control systems (VCS) are vital for managing changes to code over time, enabling multiple developers to collaborate efficiently. In Facebook’s early team environment, implementing a VCS would have been essential to manage contributions from various developers, track changes, resolve conflicts, and maintain a stable release cycle. This organizational structure helps mitigate risks associated with collaborative coding, fostering a more efficient development process.
7. **Explain how social graph theory influenced the structure of Facebook’s friend connections.**
- Social graph theory describes the relationships and connections between individuals in a social network. Facebook applied this theory to structure its friend connections, representing users and their associations as nodes and edges in a graph. This conceptual model allowed Facebook to visualize and analyze social connections, enhancing its features such as friend recommendations, news feeds, and targeted content delivery, ultimately creating a dynamic user experience.
8. **What impact did open-source software have on the development of Facebook?**
- Open-source software provided key technologies and frameworks that were foundational to Facebook's development. By utilizing open-source tools, Mark and his team benefitted from community support, collaboration, and shared innovations, reducing development time and costs. The movement towards open-source also highlights the importance of collaboration in technology, as it allows for improvements and adaptations that foster growth and creativity.
9. **Describe the legal and ethical considerations surrounding data privacy portrayed in the movie.**
- The movie highlights significant legal and ethical considerations regarding data privacy, particularly in terms of unauthorized data scraping and user consent. Mark's actions raise ethical questions about the ownership of personal information and the responsibility of developers to protect user data. As privacy laws evolve, these concerns are increasingly relevant, as platforms must navigate the balance between innovation and maintaining user trust and adherence to regulations.
10. **Reflect on how rapid prototyping played a role in Facebook's early success.**
- Rapid prototyping allowed Mark and his team to iterate quickly based on user feedback, enabling them to adapt the platform in real-time to meet user needs. This agile approach facilitated experimentation and refinement of features, contributing to user engagement and satisfaction. It exemplifies how early-stage startups can pivot and evolve based on real-world interactions, which is vital for sustained growth and relevance in the competitive social media landscape.
Submission Guidelines: Please compile your answers into a cohesive document adhering to the formatting guidelines specified by your instructor, ensuring clarity and proper citation of examples utilized within your responses.