Intro Computer Systems

Question 1

What’s a CPU?

Answer 1

CPU is the brain of computer that performs calculations, executes instructions, and processes data

Question 2

What is the primary function RAM?

Answer 2

RAM stores data that the CPU needs to access while computer is running

Question 3

What’s the difference between primary and secondary storage?

Answer 3

Primary storage holds data temporarily for access and secondary holds data permanently

Question 4

What are the key components of a computer system?

Answer 4

CPU, RAM, keyboard and monitor

Question 5

What’s an operating system?

Answer 5

Software that manages hardware and software resources

Question 6

What’s the role of operating system in computer system?

Answer 6

Controls hardware, manages memory, runs applications, and acts as interface between user and hardware

Question 7

What’s binary code? / why is it used?

Answer 7

Binary code uses 0s and 1s to represent data. Why because digital circuits can represent two states on and off

Question 8

What’s the purpose of the motherboard in a computer?

Answer 8

Connects all the components of the computer

Question 9

What’s the difference between volatile and non volatile memory?

Answer 9

Volatile loses data and non volatile retains when power is lost

Question 10

What’s the function of a hard disk drive(HDD)?

Answer 10

Storage device that uses spinning disks to store and retrieve data

Question 11

What’s solid state drive (SSD)?

Answer 11

Storage device that uses flash memory to store data, offering faster data access

Question 12

What does “booting” refer to in a computer system?

Answer 12

Process of starting a computer and loading the operating system from storage into memory

Question 13

What is the role of input devices?

Answer 13

Allows users to provide data to the computer

Question 14

What is the function of output devices in a computer system?

Answer 14

Allows the computer to send data to the user

Question 15

What’s the difference between hardware and software?

Answer 15

Physical components and the other programs or applications run on it

Question 16

What’s a network in computing?

Answer 16

System of interconnected devices that can communicate

Question 17

What’s the role of a computer network interface (NIC)?

Answer 17

Allows computer to connect to network to send and receive data

Question 18

What’s cloud computing?

Answer 18

Refers to using remote servers on the internet to store, manage, and process data

Question 19

What’s a device driver?

Answer 19

Program that enables the OS to communicate with hardware devices

Question 20

What is an input/output device?

Answer 20

Allow data to be transferred between the computer and external devices

Question 21

What’s the purpose of the ALU in the CPU?

Answer 21

Performs arithmetic and logical operations in the CPU

Question 22

What’s a bus in computer systems?

Answer 22

Communication system that transfers data between different parts of a computer

Question 23

What’s the function of a power supply unit (PSU) in a computer?

Answer 23

Provides power to the computer by converting AC power from the wall outlet to DC power required by the components

Question 24

What’s the difference between 32bit and 64bit systems?

Answer 24

64 bit system can process more data at once and address larger amounts of memory

Question 25

What’s the function of basic input/output system (BIOS)?

Answer 25

Firmware that tests hardware components during boot-up and provides an interface for the operating system

Question 26

What does the term “virtual memory” mean?

Answer 26

Memory management technique that uses part of the storage as if it were RAM

Question 27

What’s cache memory?

Answer 27

Memory that stores used data to speed up access by the CPU

Question 28

What’s the function of the graphics processing unit (GPU)?

Answer 28

Handles the rendering of images, videos and animations helping the CPU

Question 29

What’s the difference between 2D and 3D computer graphic?

Answer 29

2D represents height and width 3D depth included

Question 30

What’s the protocol in networking?

Answer 30

Set of rules that defines how data is transmitted and received over a network