Input Devices and Keyboards

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of a graphics card in a computer?

To generate signals sent to the monitor (correct)

To execute software applications

To manage network connections

To store data from the CPU

How many main components does a graphics card use to accomplish its tasks?

Five main components

Two main components

Four main components (correct)

Three main components

What process does a graphics card perform to create a 3-D image?

Storing the image in memory before display

Rasterizing the image only

Adding color before creating a wire frame

Creating a wire frame and then rasterizing (correct)

Which component is NOT part of a graphics card's functionality?

Network adapter for online functionality Signup and view all the answers

What does the graphics card need to translate binary data into an image?

A processor to interpret the data Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of input devices?

To enter data into the computer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a general purpose keyboard?

Used for specific applications Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the keyboard contains numbers and mathematical signs?

Numeric keypad Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the 'ESC' key on a keyboard?

Terminate the execution of a program Signup and view all the answers

Which keys are used to move the cursor up and down or left and right on the screen?

Arrow keys Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of 'BACKSPACE'?

Removes the character to the left of the cursor Signup and view all the answers

Which key is primarily used to enter a command or generate output?

ENTER Signup and view all the answers

How many keys does a typical general purpose keyboard contain?

101 keys Signup and view all the answers

Which key would you use to scroll the current page up?

PAGE UP Signup and view all the answers

What component of the keyboard is referred to as the alphanumeric keypad?

Center portion of the keyboard Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the speaker in a computer system?

It outputs sound generated by the soundcard. Signup and view all the answers

How does a dual-core processor differ from a single-core processor?

It has two complete execution cores. Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of dual-core processors compared to single-core processors?

They can handle compute-intensive tasks in parallel. Signup and view all the answers

What feature defines Core 2 Duo processors?

They use a dual-core architecture fabricated on a single chip. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the performance of dual-core processors?

They generally have faster performance than single-core processors. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of cache, how do dual-core processors enhance performance?

Each core has its own cache, which allows for independent processing. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a multi-core processor?

It includes more than two separate processors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of dual-core processors when it comes to power usage?

They use slightly less power than two single-core processors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a character printer?

Prints single characters at one time Signup and view all the answers

What is the printing speed range for a character printer?

30 to 600 characters per second Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the disadvantages of a character printer?

Very noisy during operation Signup and view all the answers

How does a line printer print characters?

By embossing characters on a cylindrical drum Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of line printers?

Faster than other impact printers Signup and view all the answers

How many characters can a line printer typically print in a minute?

300 to 2000 lines per minute Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of the daisy wheel printer?

Prints different font faces by replacing the wheel Signup and view all the answers

What is a common disadvantage of daisy wheel printers?

Limited character set usage Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason a character printer might be preferred for certain tasks?

Carbon copy printing capability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not true regarding the line printer?

It can print graphics effectively Signup and view all the answers

What does the position of a digit in a positional number system determine?

The value of the digit Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the binary number system?

As we move left, each place value is two times greater than the previous. Signup and view all the answers

What is the base of the octal number system?

Base 8 Signup and view all the answers

In the decimal number '7762', which digit represents the number of tens?

6 Signup and view all the answers

What process is used to convert a decimal number to binary?

Divide the number by the base. Signup and view all the answers

Which numeral system is considered additive and not suitable for arithmetic?

Roman Signup and view all the answers

In a positional number system, which factors determine the value of each digit?

The digit, its position, and the base Signup and view all the answers

What is the binary representation of the decimal number 65?

1000001 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Input Devices

Input devices are used to enter data into a computer system.
Examples include keyboard, mouse, scanner, and microphone.
Input devices accept data from the outside world, convert it into computer-coded information, and supply this data to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) for further processing.

Keyboard - Standard Input Device

The keyboard is a commonly used input device.
It resembles a typewriter and is used to enter data into the computer.
It contains sets of keys such as alphabets, numbers, and special signs.
There are two types of keyboards: general-purpose keyboards and special-purpose keyboards.

General Purpose Keyboards

General-purpose keyboards are standard keyboards used in personal computers.
They contain enough keys to be used in all types of applications.
They are often referred to as general-purpose keyboards.
The most popular general-purpose keyboard contains 101 keys.

General Purpose Keyboard Parts

Alphanumeric Keypad: The central part of the keyboard contains alphabets, numbers, and special signs.
Numeric Keypad: Located on the right side of the keyboard, it contains numbers 0 to 9 and mathematical signs. Used for fast data entry in mathematical applications.
Arrow Keys: A set of four keys (up, down, left, and right) used to move the cursor on the screen, often referred to as "cursor-control" or "cursor-movement" keys.
Function Keys: The first line of keys, labeled f1 to f12, generate shortcuts in different software packages.
Special Keys: Used for specific tasks:
- TAB: Creates multiple spaces or moves the cursor to the next defined position.
- ENTER: Generates the output of any command.
- SPACE: Creates a blank space between words.
- BACKSPACE: Removes the left-most character at the cursor position.
- DELETE: Removes the right-most character at the cursor position.
- HOME: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
- END: Moves the cursor to the end of the line.
- PAGE UP: Moves or scrolls the screen up or to the previous page.
- PAGE DOWN: Moves the screen to the next page.
- PRINT SCREEN: Prints the content currently displayed on the screen.
- INSERT: Inserts text between two characters.
- ESC: Negates the current command or terminates the execution of a program.
- ALT: Used to expand the functionality of the keyboard.

Character Printers

Character printers print a single character at a time.
They form characters and images as a pattern of dots.
They contain a print head that moves horizontally across paper.
They use a 5 × 7 matrix to form a character.
They print by hammering pins on an inked ribbon to leave ink impressions on the paper.
Able to print 30 to 600 characters per second.

Advantages of Character Printers

Low cost and easily available.
Cheap to purchase.
Can make carbon copies of printouts.
Low maintenance costs.
Work in any type of environment.

Disadvantages of Character Printers

Slow speed.
Very noisy.
Cannot work perfectly with graphics.

Daisy Wheel Printers

Able to print a single character at a time.
Contain a metal wheel with characters and numbers raised on each petal.
The wheel rotates; when the desired character reaches the correct position, a print hammer strikes to produce output.
Allows for different font faces by replacing the daisy wheel.
Can print bold letters by striking the same character twice or thrice.
Capable of printing 10 to 50 characters per second.

Advantages of Daisy Wheel Printers

Low cost.
Can make carbon copies of printouts.
Low maintenance costs.
Printing quality similar to a typewriter.
Able to print bold characters.
Allows using different font faces in the same document.

Disadvantages of Daisy Wheel Printers

Very slow speed.
Very noisy.
Cannot print graphics.

Line Printers

Line printers are able to print a line at the same time.

Drum Printers - Line Printers

Consist of a solid cylindrical drum embossed with characters in a circular band.
Each band contains a character set of 96 characters.
The drum rotates quickly; when the desired character reaches the correct position, a hammer strikes the ribbon, printing the character on the paper.
Capable of printing 300 to 2000 lines per minute.

Advantages of Drum Printers

Lower cost than non-impact printers.
Can make carbon copies of the printout.
Low maintenance costs.
Faster than other impact printers.
Printing quality similar to a typewriter.

Disadvantages of Drum Printers

Very noisy.
Large and heavy.
Cannot print graphics only prints predefined set of characters.

Chain Printers - Line Printers

Able to print a line at the same time.
Consist of a metallic chain with embossed characters.
The character set contains 48, 64, or 96 characters.
Characters are embossed multiple times on the chain.
The chain rotates at high speed; when the desired character is in the correct position, a hammer strikes the character onto the paper.
Capable of printing 400 to 2500 lines per minute.

Advantages of Chain Printers

Lower cost than non-impact printers.
Can make carbon copies of printouts.
Chain can be easily changed.
Allows printing different type fonts.
Printing quality similar to a typewriter.

Disadvantages of Chain Printers

Slower than non-impact printers.
Very noisy.
Large and heavy.
Cannot print graphics.
Only prints predefined set of characters.

Speakers

Speakers are output devices connected to the computer's sound card.
They output the sound generated by the sound card.
Audio data generated by the computer is sent to the audio card, located in the computer's expansion slot.
The audio card translates data into audio signals, sending them to the speakers.
Speakers can produce different tones.

Types of Processors

Dual-Core: A CPU with two complete execution cores per physical processor. It combines two processors, caches, and cache controllers onto a single chip.
Multi-Core: An extension of dual-core technology allowing for more than two separate processors on a single chip.

Dual-Core Processors

Two processors are essentially side-by-side on the same die (silicon chip).
Well-suited for multitasking environments because they have two complete execution cores.
Each core has an independent interface to the front side bus.
Each core with its own cache, which is sufficient for handling compute-intensive tasks in parallel.
Performance is faster than single-core processors.
Able to divide information for processing by multiple units.
Uses slightly less power than two coupled single-core processors.

Core 2 Duo

The name given by Intel to its second batch of dual-core processors.
Desktop PCs using the Intel® Core™2 processor family provide faster performance, greater energy efficiency, and responsive multitasking.
Intel's initial dual-core processors were essentially two Pentium 3 processors fabricated on a single chip.
The Core 2 Duo is a refinement of the dual-core processor, offering performance improvements.
The difference between dual-core processors and the Core 2 Duo processors is primarily semantic; Core 2 Duo is a name for a more recent family of dual-core processors.

Graphics Cards

A graphics card is a component responsible for generating signals sent to the monitor, creating the "graphics" or images you see.
It generates all the text and pictures displayed on the screen.
The images on the monitor are made of tiny dots called pixels.
At most common resolutions, a screen displays over a million pixels.
The computer decides what to do with each pixel to create an image.
The graphics card translates binary data from the CPU into a picture you can see.
Modern graphics cards are typically built into the motherboard.
The CPU and software applications send image information to the graphics card.
The graphics card determines how to use pixels to create the image and sends this information through a cable to the monitor.
Creating 3-D images involves first creating a wire frame of straight lines and then rasterizing it.
Lighting, texture, and color are then added.
Components of a Graphics Card:
- Motherboard connection for data and power.
- Processor deciding what to do with each pixel.
- Memory for storing pixel information and completed pictures temporarily.
- Monitor connection for viewing the final result.

Data Storage and The Binary Number System

The Binary number system is a positional number system with a base of two.
It uses only the symbols "0" and "1".
The value of each digit in the binary number system is determined by the digit itself, its position, and the base of the system.
To convert from a decimal (base-10) number to a binary number:
- Divide the decimal number by the base (2).
- Note the remainder.
- Divide the quotient again by the base (2) and note the remainder.
- Repeat until the quotient is zero.
- The remainders, read from bottom to top, form the binary equivalent.

Octal Number System (Base 8)

The Octal number system is another positional number system.
It uses 8 symbols: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
The value of each digit in the octal system is determined by the digit itself, its position, and the base (8) of the system.

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Description

This quiz explores the various types of input devices used in computer systems, emphasizing the keyboard as a standard input method. Learn about general-purpose keyboards, their functions, and their components. Test your knowledge on how these devices interact with the CPU to process data.