Computer Science Fundamentals Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which type of computer can support 4–200 users simultaneously?

Mainframe computer

Supercomputer

Minicomputer (correct)

Microcomputer

What do supercomputers primarily excel in?

Performing trillions of calculations per second (correct)

Performing a limited number of operations

Storing large amounts of data

Supporting numerous concurrent users

Which component of a computer processes input data?

Memory Unit

Input/Output Unit

Central Processing Unit (CPU) (correct)

Storage Unit

Which computer type is typically used for centralized databases?

Mainframe computer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following devices qualifies as a microcomputer?

Smartphone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of secondary memory?

Random Access Memory Signup and view all the answers

In what area do computers provide significant assistance for educators?

Preparing notes and presentations Signup and view all the answers

Which application demonstrates how computers impact the entertainment industry?

Downloading and viewing movies Signup and view all the answers

How are computers utilized in the field of sports?

For training players and creating games Signup and view all the answers

What role do computers play in advertising?

They can display advertisements on websites. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way computers are used for entertainment?

Editing academic papers Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary application of computers in education?

Providing distance education Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best explains the dependence of Google on web advertising?

It generates significant revenues for the company. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Control Unit (CU) within the CPU?

To coordinate the activities of the computer Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is typically faster and is often used by the CPU to enhance performance?

Cache memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the CPU instruction cycle?

Fetching the instructions from the memory Signup and view all the answers

What key aspect differentiates CISC from RISC microprocessors?

Instruction complexity and execution time Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a computer is primarily responsible for interfacing the computer with external devices?

Input/Output (I/O) unit Signup and view all the answers

Which microprocessor architecture is characterized by a large and complex instruction set?

CISC Signup and view all the answers

What connects the CPU, system memory, and other motherboard components?

System Bus Signup and view all the answers

In terms of organization, what is the focus of computer organization compared to computer architecture?

The functional interconnections between components Signup and view all the answers

Which component retains system date and time settings when the computer is powered off?

CMOS Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the instruction cycle in a computer?

To execute instructions in a systematic manner Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the function of registers in a computer?

Registers hold data temporarily for processing tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Which bus is responsible for connecting external devices to the computer?

Expansion Bus Signup and view all the answers

What does BIOS, stored in ROM, primarily serve as?

An interface between the operating system and the motherboard Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'system bus' refer to in computer hardware?

The pathways for data transfer within the computer Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines a motherboard's form factor?

Geometry and dimensions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of the cache memory in a computer?

Increasing the size of the RAM Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of RAM in a computer system?

To provide fast access to data and instructions for the CPU Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about secondary memory is true?

It stores data permanently unless erased by the user. Signup and view all the answers

How does the storage capacity of secondary memory compare to primary memory?

Secondary memory has higher storage capacity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'stored program concept'?

Data and program instructions are stored in main memory for processing. Signup and view all the answers

What does the operation code in an instruction represent?

The action that the processor must execute. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does secondary memory differ from RAM?

Secondary memory is non-volatile while RAM is volatile. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of secondary storage device?

RAM Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about accessing data from secondary memory is accurate?

It takes longer to access data than from primary memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the control bus in a system bus?

It communicates control signals for coordinating operations. Signup and view all the answers

How does the width of the data bus affect computer performance?

It affects the speed at which data can be transferred. Signup and view all the answers

What does the width of the address bus determine in a computer system?

The maximum number of memory locations that can be addressed. Signup and view all the answers

Which bus technology is specifically designed for video cards?

AGP bus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the system clock in a computer?

To coordinate the timing of operations within the computer. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the motherboard is correct?

It is characterized by its chipset, form factor, and processor socket. Signup and view all the answers

Which port is commonly used to connect networking devices?

RJ45 Connector Signup and view all the answers

What does BIOS stand for, and what is its main function?

Basic Input Output System; it initializes hardware during boot. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Secondary Memory Types

Magnetic disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes are examples of secondary memory.

Computer Applications

Computers are used extensively in education, providing tools and aids for learning. Educators use computers to create lecture notes and presentations. Computer-based training packages, distance learning software, and online exams are also common applications. Researchers use computers for easy access to academic resources like conferences and journals.
Computers play a major role in entertainment, allowing users to download movies, play games, chat, buy tickets, create multimedia content, and listen to and create music.
Computers are used in sports for watching games, viewing scores, training players, and designing games.
Computers are a powerful advertising platform, used to create, display, and deliver advertisements across websites and email. They are also used to collect customer reviews. Web advertising is a significant part of marketing strategies.
Microcomputers are small, affordable standalone machines, encompassing desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablets, handheld computers, and smartphones.
Minicomputers are high-speed machines with more storage than microcomputers, supporting 4 to 200 concurrent users.
Mainframe computers are multi-user, multi-programming, and high-performance computers with substantial storage and speed, commonly in centralized databases.
Supercomputers are the most expensive, high-speed machines capable of performing trillions of calculations per second, measured in FLOPS. They are used in computationally intensive tasks.

Computer Components

A computer is an electronic device based on the input-process-output (IPO) concept. The three main components are the Input/Output Unit (I/O), Central Processing Unit (CPU), and Memory unit.
The I/O unit receives input from users and provides processed output.
The CPU processes input data, manages computer operations, and includes an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU), and registers.
The memory unit stores programs, data, and output temporarily during processing. Secondary memory stores data and instructions permanently.
RAM is primary memory with limited, high-cost storage, used for storing data and instructions during processing.
Secondary memory stores data permanently, is non-volatile, provides backup, and has higher storage capacity but slower access time than primary memory. Its storage devices include hard disk drives, floppy drives, and optical disk drives.

Instruction Format and Cycles

A computer program is a set of instructions for a computational task, stored in main memory.
An instruction consists of an operation code (op code) defining the action and an operand code detailing the action's parameters.
The CPU instruction cycle has four steps: fetching instructions, decoding instructions (matching them to the CPU's instruction set), executing the decoded instructions, and storing results.
RISC and CISC are microprocessor classifications based on instruction sets: RISC has fewer simpler instructions, while CISC has more complex instructions.

Computer Interconnections

Computer components are interconnected by buses, including system buses and expansion buses. System buses link CPU, system memory, and other motherboard components. Expansion buses connect external devices, peripherals, and expansion slots.
Buses have three parts: data bus (for data transfer), address bus (for specifying memory locations), and control bus (for managing bus operations).

Computer Performance Factors

Factors impacting computer performance include register size, RAM size, system clock speed, bus width, and cache size.
Inside the computer cabinet are the motherboard, ports/interfaces, expansion slots, ribbon cables, memory chips, storage devices, and processor.
Motherboards have form factors (physical dimensions), chipsets (controlling resources), and processor sockets.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is in ROM, acting as an interface between the OS and motherboard. CMOS is a memory chip on the motherboard, storing system time, date, and settings, powered by a battery and retaining data even when the power is off.

Ports and Interfaces

Ports and interfaces on the computer case connect external devices: serial port, parallel port, USB port, FireWire, RJ45 connector, VGA connector, audio plugs (line-in, line-out, mic), PS/2 port, and SCSI port.

Expansion Slots

Expansion slots on the motherboard connect expansion cards. Common technologies include ISA, PCI, AGP, PCI Express, and PC Card slots.

Other Computer Components

Ribbon cables connect components within the computer system.
Secondary memory types include magnetic tapes, disk drives, and optical disk drives.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various computer types, their purposes, and functions in different fields. This quiz covers topics such as supercomputers, microcomputers, and applications in education, entertainment, and advertising. Challenge yourself and enhance your understanding of computer science concepts!