IT Fundamentals Quiz

Networking

• Definition: The process of connecting computers, devices, and systems to facilitate communication, data exchange, and resource sharing.
• Types of networks:
  • LAN (Local Area Network): Connects devices in a limited geographical area.
  • WAN (Wide Area Network): Connects devices over a larger geographical area.
  • Wi-Fi: Wireless network connecting devices using radio waves.
  • Internet: Global network of interconnected computers and servers.
• Network protocols:
  • TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): Standard protocol for internet communication.
  • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): Protocol for transferring data over the web.
  • FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Protocol for transferring files over a network.
• Network devices:
  • Routers: Direct traffic between networks.
  • Switches: Connect devices within a network.
  • Modems: Connect to the internet via a broadband connection.

Artificial Intelligence

• Definition: The development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
• Types of AI:
  • Narrow or Weak AI: Designed to perform a specific task, such as facial recognition or language translation.
  • General or Strong AI: Designed to perform any intellectual task, similar to human intelligence.
  • Superintelligence: Significantly more intelligent than the best human minds.
• AI applications:
  • Machine learning: Training algorithms to learn from data and make predictions.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP): Enabling computers to understand and generate human language.
  • Robotics: Developing robots that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.

Databases

• Definition: A collection of organized data that can be easily accessed, managed, and updated.
• Database types:
  • Relational databases: Organize data into tables with defined relationships.
  • NoSQL databases: Store data in a variety of formats, such as key-value, document, or graph.
• Database management systems:
  • DBMS (Database Management System): Software that manages and interacts with a database.
  • RDBMS (Relational Database Management System): Software that manages relational databases.
• Database concepts:
  • Data modeling: Creating a conceptual representation of the data.
  • Normalization: Organizing data to minimize redundancy and improve integrity.

Cybersecurity

• Definition: The practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
• Threat types:
  • Malware: Malicious software that can harm a computer system or network.
  • Phishing: Social engineering attacks that trick users into revealing sensitive information.
  • Ransomware: Malware that encrypts data and demands payment for decryption.
• Security measures:
  • Firewalls: Network security systems that control incoming and outgoing traffic.
  • Encryption: Protecting data by converting it into an unreadable format.
  • Authentication: Verifying the identity of users and devices.

Software Development

• Definition: The process of designing, creating, testing, and maintaining software applications.
• Development methodologies:
  • Agile: Iterative approach focusing on flexibility and customer satisfaction.
  • Waterfall: Sequential approach focusing on predictability and stability.
• Development stages:
  • Requirements gathering: Identifying the needs and constraints of the project.
  • Design: Creating a detailed plan for the software architecture.
  • Implementation: Writing the code for the software application.
  • Testing: Verifying the software meets the requirements and is free of defects.
• Programming languages:
  • High-level languages: Easy to read and write, but slow to execute (e.g., Python, Java).
  • Low-level languages: Difficult to read and write, but fast to execute (e.g., C, Assembly).
  • Scripting languages: Used for rapid development and prototyping (e.g., JavaScript, Ruby).