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Questions and Answers
Which component of a computer is responsible for processing instructions and controlling operations?
Which component of a computer is responsible for processing instructions and controlling operations?
What operations can the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) perform?
What operations can the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) perform?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five basic operations performed by a computer?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five basic operations performed by a computer?
What does the Control Unit (CU) NOT decide during operation?
What does the Control Unit (CU) NOT decide during operation?
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Which component is referred to as the 'brain' of a computer system?
Which component is referred to as the 'brain' of a computer system?
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What is the primary function of system software?
What is the primary function of system software?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of system software?
Which of the following is NOT a type of system software?
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What role do utility programs play in system software?
What role do utility programs play in system software?
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Which operating system is considered a type of system software?
Which operating system is considered a type of system software?
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Which of the following is an example of a utility program?
Which of the following is an example of a utility program?
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What is the relationship between operating systems and application software?
What is the relationship between operating systems and application software?
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What are the programs executed when the computer is turned on primarily stored in?
What are the programs executed when the computer is turned on primarily stored in?
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Which of the following is NOT considered part of an operating system's function?
Which of the following is NOT considered part of an operating system's function?
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What is the primary function of the ALU in a computer?
What is the primary function of the ALU in a computer?
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What is the combined function of the ALU and CU commonly referred to as?
What is the combined function of the ALU and CU commonly referred to as?
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Which term describes the act of converting data into meaningful information?
Which term describes the act of converting data into meaningful information?
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Which of the following devices is considered an input device?
Which of the following devices is considered an input device?
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How many keys are typically found on a standard keyboard?
How many keys are typically found on a standard keyboard?
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Which device among the following is NOT classified as an input device?
Which device among the following is NOT classified as an input device?
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Which of the following is a function of peripheral devices?
Which of the following is a function of peripheral devices?
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What is the primary type of input that a microphone processes?
What is the primary type of input that a microphone processes?
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What type of keyboard is most commonly used?
What type of keyboard is most commonly used?
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Which of the following is NOT a common type of microphone mentioned?
Which of the following is NOT a common type of microphone mentioned?
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What is a key advantage of using a trackball over a traditional mouse?
What is a key advantage of using a trackball over a traditional mouse?
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Which output device is described as potentially the most important due to user interaction?
Which output device is described as potentially the most important due to user interaction?
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How does the video adapter function in relation to the monitor?
How does the video adapter function in relation to the monitor?
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Which types of monitors are primarily used with microcomputers?
Which types of monitors are primarily used with microcomputers?
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What type of input device is a trackball categorized as?
What type of input device is a trackball categorized as?
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Which of the following is an input device rather than an output device?
Which of the following is an input device rather than an output device?
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What is the primary purpose of a compiler?
What is the primary purpose of a compiler?
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Which of the following languages is primarily known for solving mathematical and scientific problems?
Which of the following languages is primarily known for solving mathematical and scientific problems?
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What type of programming language is C++ considered to be?
What type of programming language is C++ considered to be?
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Which statement correctly describes the relationship between source programs and object programs?
Which statement correctly describes the relationship between source programs and object programs?
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What is the main function of an assembler?
What is the main function of an assembler?
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What characterizes BASIC as a programming language?
What characterizes BASIC as a programming language?
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How does a compiler differ from an interpreter?
How does a compiler differ from an interpreter?
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Which high level language is typically used in business-oriented applications?
Which high level language is typically used in business-oriented applications?
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Study Notes
Computer Organization
- A computer performs five major operations: input data, store data, process data, output results, and control operations.
- The functional units include Input Unit, Control Unit (CU), Memory Unit, Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and Output Unit.
- The Control Unit supervises input, output, processing, and storage, ensuring operations are performed in a structured sequence.
Memory Unit and ALU
- Memory Unit stores data and instructions required for processing.
- The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) carries out basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logical operations, and comparisons.
- The combination of ALU and CU is referred to as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), considered the "brain" of the computer.
Peripheral Devices
- Peripheral devices are external components connected to a computer.
- They are categorized as Input Devices, Output Devices, and Other Peripherals.
Input Devices
- Accept data and instructions from users.
- Common input devices include:
- Keyboard: Standard device for text input, typically a QWERTY layout with around 104 keys.
- Mouse: A common pointing device for user navigation.
- Touch Screen: Allows direct interaction with display.
- Microphone: Captures voice input, available as desktop or handheld types.
- Track Ball: A stationary pointing device that requires less space, operates by rotating a ball.
Output Devices
- Return processed information to users.
- Common output devices include:
- Monitor: Displays visual output; two main types are CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
- Printers: Produce physical copies of digital documents.
- Plotters: Used for printing vector graphics.
- Speakers: Output sound.
System Software
- Set of programs executed upon booting, activating different computer units.
- Operating System (OS) manages hardware and software resources and provides an interface for user interaction.
- Popular operating systems include UNIX, Windows, and Linux.
- Utility programs enhance the OS by providing additional functionality like file compression, antivirus protection, etc.
Programming Languages
- High-level languages are user-friendly, while assembly language is machine-dependent.
- Examples of programming languages include:
- BASIC: Beginner-friendly and was widely used in early microcomputers.
- COBOL: Standard language for commercial applications.
- FORTRAN: Used in scientific and mathematical applications.
- C: Structured programming language for various applications.
- C++: Object-oriented language, widely used in general programming.
Compiler and Assembler
- Compiler: Converts high-level language programs (source program) into machine language (object program).
- Assembler: Translates assembly language programs into machine language.
- Both tools are essential for the execution of programs on computers, ensuring human-readable code is transformed into machine-readable code.
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Description
Explore the fundamental components of computer organization with this quiz. Understand the roles of the memory unit, input unit, control unit, and output unit as well as the importance of the arithmetic logic unit. Test your knowledge of these essential concepts.