Computer Hardware and Software Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Control Unit within the Processor?

To control the timing of the computer.

To store data temporarily.

To perform all calculations.

To pass data to the Arithmetic Logic Unit. (correct)

Which of the following is classified as a volatile type of memory?

Cache Memory

RAM (correct)

ROM

CMOS

Which storage device is an example of auxiliary storage?

Cache Memory

Solid State Devices (correct)

ROM

RAM

What type of software manages the computer's internal operations and allows user interaction?

System Software (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Cache Memory?

Stores frequently used information for quick access. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is an input device?

Touch Screen (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the System Clock control in a computer?

Timing of operations and processes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is non-volatile and contains instructions required for booting the computer?

ROM (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which topology is likely to disrupt the entire network if one cable breaks down?

Tree Topology (A), Ring Topology (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of tree topology compared to other topologies?

Provides high scalability (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which is a disadvantage of hybrid topology?

It combines the disadvantages of the different topologies used (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the Power On Self Test (POST) is unsuccessful?

The computer may fail to boot up properly. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which topology is described as requiring less cable than mesh but more communication ports than bus topology?

Ring Topology (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of user interface requires users to type commands at a prompt?

Command-Line Interface (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of bus topology concerning communication between computers?

It cannot handle multiple simultaneous transmissions (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a Network Operating System (NOS)?

Coordinates resource access for multiple users. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statement types describes a Compiler?

Translates and executes the entire source program at once. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of application software is typically used for producing professional documents and graphics?

Desktop Publishing software (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which programming language category is considered the first level in the hierarchy?

Machine Language (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of a Computer Systems Manager?

Manage project planning and staffing (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which skill is essential for a Computer Programmer?

Critical thinking and attention to detail (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of software can be used, modified, and redistributed without copyright restrictions?

Open Source Software (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of utility programs?

Providing a user interface (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which specialization is primarily concerned with network security?

Cyber, System and Network Security (A) Signup and view all the answers

What task does a Data Encoder perform?

Translates documents into machine-readable form (C) Signup and view all the answers

What major function does a Systems Analyst offer?

Develop principles for computer applications (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which group would include a Computer Operator?

Programming Group (A) Signup and view all the answers

A Database Administrator is primarily responsible for which of the following?

Managing data resources and their security (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which role is tasked with cataloging and securing processing storage media?

Computer Librarian (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who is regarded as the founding father of the Internet for his role as the principal architect of ARPANET?

Lawrence Roberts (D) Signup and view all the answers

What significant protocol was adopted by ARPANET in 1983 that facilitated a larger number of hosts on the Internet?

Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What term was defined by the Federal Networking Council in 1995?

Internet (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)?

To allow retrieval of linked resources across the web (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of HTTP?

To exchange data between browsers and web servers (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which protocol is used for sending electronic messages and attachments?

SMTP (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which individual is credited with sending the first email?

Ray Tomilson (A) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three fundamental technologies introduced by Tim Berners-Lee for the World Wide Web?

HTTP, HTML, and URI (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a domain name represent?

A textual representation of an IP address (D) Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a website in terms of web content?

A collection of web pages (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which technology allows for the fastest internet access among the listed options?

Fiber optic technology (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Domain Name System (DNS)?

To convert domain names into IP addresses (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)?

To oversee research and set web standards (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of an intranet?

Restricted to an organization's members (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a top-level domain?

.com (A) Signup and view all the answers

Who is the inventor of Morse Code, which uses dots and dashes for communication?

Samuel Finley Breese Morse (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

HARDWARE

Data Processing (IPO): Input - raw data, Output - processed data
Hardware: Tangible, physical computer parts
Main Units of a Computer (IOMP): Input, Output, Main Storage, Processor (interprets and executes instructions)
Parts of a Processor (CARS): Control Unit (passes data to ALU), Arithmetic Logic Unit (performs calculations), Registers (small, high-speed storage), System Clock (controls timing)
Types of Memory (RRCm CMOS): RAM (Random Access Memory - volatile, stores data for processing, includes systems software, apps, and data), ROM (Read Only Memory - non-volatile, contains stored instructions), Cache Memory (stores frequently used data by the CPU), CMOS (Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor - provides information like date/time and battery status).
Input Devices: MICR (Mark Interface Character Recognition), Touch Screen, Sensor, Speech Synthesizer (speech-to-text).
Output Devices: Printer, Monitor, Xerox, Speaker, Projector

SOFTWARE

Software: Programs with step-by-step instructions
Types of Software: System Software (controls computer operations, interface between apps, hardware, and user), Application Software (makes users productive)
System Software (OS, Up, C/I): Operating System (manages computer functions, user interaction), Utility Programs, Compiler/Interpreter.
Boot Operation (BIOS, POST, CMOS): BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), POST (Power On Self Test), CMOS (stores configuration information)
Types of User Interface (UI): Command-Line Interface, Menu-Driven Interface, Graphical User Interface, Device Driver
Utility Programs: Anti-virus, Backup, Disk Compression Tool
Application Software Categories: Business, Graphics and Multimedia, Desktop Publishing, Paint-image editing, Web Page editing, Home/Personal/Education, Communications (email, chat, videoconferencing)
Programming Languages: Machine Language, Assembly Language, Procedural Languages, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Languages

OTHER

Open Source Software: Free to use, modify, and redistribute.
Shareware: Copyrighted software distributed free for trial.
Freeware: Copyrighted software distributed free.
Public Domain Software: Software available with no ownership restrictions.
Peopleware: IT Groups and Job Titles (e.g., Computer Systems Manager, Systems Analyst, Computer Programmer, Computer Operator. Job responsibilities detailed)
Data Communications History (e.g., telegraph, telephone inventions, early communication proposals and experiments)
Computer Networks: Local Area Network, Metropolitan Area Network, Wide Area Network, Global Area Network, Network Model (Server, Client), Network Topology (Physical, Logical), network topologies (point to point, multipoint, Mesh, Star, Bus, Ring, Tree, Hybrid)
Elements of Computer Networks (Protocols, Data and Messages, Communications Medium, Devices)
Internet (History, protocols, standards, key individuals and organizations)

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Description

This quiz covers fundamental concepts of computer hardware and software, including input and output devices, memory types, and main units of a computer. Test your knowledge on the roles of processors, RAM, and ROM, as well as various input and output devices that facilitate data processing.