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1-Know Your Computer > KYC > Flashcards

KYC Flashcards

1
Q

What is a computing device?

A

A device that accepts data from the user, processes it, and gives the direct output.

Includes machines capable of performing calculations.

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2
Q

When did the evolution of computers start?

A

In the late 1930s.

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3
Q

What language did early computers use for their operations?

A

Binary language.

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4
Q

What is an abacus?

A

An early calculating device used for arithmetic processes.

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5
Q

Who developed Napier’s Bones and when?

A

Sir John Napier, released in 1617.

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6
Q

What was the primary use of Napier’s Bones?

A

For calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

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7
Q

What is Pascaline?

A

A calculating device invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642 for addition.

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8
Q

What is the Difference Engine?

A

A mechanical device designed by Charles Babbage in 1822 capable of storing data and printing output.

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9
Q

What is the Analytical Engine?

A

The first mechanical general-purpose computer designed by Charles Babbage in 1837.

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10
Q

What characterizes first generation computers (1940-1956)?

A

The use of vacuum tubes.

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11
Q

What are examples of first generation computing devices?

A

UNIVAC and ENIAC.

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12
Q

What significant advancement marked the second generation of computers (1956-1963)?

A

The replacement of vacuum tubes with transistors.

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13
Q

What was a drawback of transistors in second generation computers?

A

They were subject to damage due to heat emission.

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14
Q

What programming language was commonly used in second generation computers?

A

Assembly language.

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15
Q

What defines third generation computers (1964-1971)?

A

The introduction of integrated circuits.

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16
Q

What is a high-level programming language?

A

A language that uses the English alphabet and mathematical symbols, easy to use and understand.

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17
Q

What are examples of high-level programming languages?

A
  • Fortran
  • COBOL
  • BASIC
  • C
  • C++
  • Java
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18
Q

What is the hallmark of fourth generation computers (1971-2010)?

A

The introduction of microprocessors.

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19
Q

What is a microprocessor?

A

A compact, multipurpose, programmable device that processes input and provides output.

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20
Q

What was the world’s first commercially available microprocessor?

A

Intel 4004.

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21
Q

What characterizes fifth generation computers (2010 onwards)?

A

They are based on artificial intelligence and natural language recognition.

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22
Q

How are computers classified based on size and speed?

A
  • Minicomputer
  • Supercomputer
  • Microcomputer
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23
Q

What is a personal computer?

A

A microcomputer used by one person at a time, typically slower and with less storage than larger computers.

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24
Q

What is a microcomputer?

A

A small computer designed for individual use, typically slower and with less storage capacity than mini or mainframe computers

Commonly used in classrooms, homes, and banks.

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25
Q

What is a Desktop PC?

A

A microcomputer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the monitor in front and the system unit on the side.

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26
Q

What defines a Laptop?

A

A portable microcomputer that can be used on the lap, also known as a notebook computer.

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27
Q

What is a Tablet?

A

A mobile computer that offers a touchscreen environment and may include a stylus, available in various sizes.

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28
Q

What is a Smartphone?

A

A mobile phone built on a mobile operating system with enhanced features such as digital cameras, GPS, and web browsing.

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29
Q

What characterizes a Mainframe computer?

A

Very large computers that process enormous amounts of information and can communicate with many users simultaneously.

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30
Q

What are common users of Mainframe computers?

A

Large businesses, government agencies, banks, and universities.

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31
Q

What is a Minicomputer?

A

Larger and more expensive than microcomputers, often referred to as midrange computers, used by medium and small businesses.

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32
Q

What is a Supercomputer?

A

A powerful computer capable of very speedy calculations, used in fields like graphic animation and nuclear research.

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33
Q

Fill in the blank: The functional components of a computer include the ______, Central Processing Unit (CPU), and Output Unit.

A

Input Unit

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34
Q

What is the role of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

A

The control center of a computer that guides, directs, and governs its performance.

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35
Q

What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) do?

A

Performs all arithmetic and logical operations within a computer.

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36
Q

What is the function of the Control Unit (CU)?

A

Controls and guides the interpretation, flow, and manipulation of all data and information within the computer.

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37
Q

What is the Memory Unit (MU)?

A

The part of the computer where data is stored and is accessible to the CPU.

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38
Q

What is an Input Unit?

A

The component that accepts data into a computer, with the keyboard being the standard input device.

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39
Q

What are some examples of input devices?

A
  • Joysticks
  • Mice
  • Web cameras
  • Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Readers (MICR)
  • Optical Mark Recognition Readers (OMR)
  • Optical Character Readers (OCR)
  • Touchscreens
  • Smart card readers
  • Digital readers
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40
Q

What is a Bar code reader?

A

A device used to scan and identify product or item codes in various retail environments.

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41
Q

What are Quick Response (QR) codes?

A

Special barcodes that can be read using QR reading devices, linking users directly to text, emails, or websites.

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42
Q

What does a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Reader do?

A

Reads characters printed with special magnetic ink, commonly used for sorting cheques.

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43
Q

What is an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) reader used for?

A

Recognizing pre-specified spaces on paper marked by a pencil or pen, commonly used for examination sheets.

44
Q

What is the role of the control unit in a computer?

A

The control unit controls the flow of data from the input devices to memory and from memory to the output devices.

45
Q

What does MU stand for in computer architecture?

A

Memory Unit

46
Q

Define a bit.

A

A bit means a binary digit, with only two possibilities: either 0 or 1.

47
Q

What is a byte?

A

A group of 8 bits is called a byte.

48
Q

What is the smallest unit of computer memory that can represent meaningful data?

49
Q

Define a nibble.

A

A group of 4 bits is called a nibble.

50
Q

How many bytes are in a kilobyte (KB)?

A

1024 Bytes

51
Q

What is the relationship between bytes and terabytes (TB)?

A

1 TB = 1024 GB

52
Q

What are the two types of primary memory?

A
  • Volatile memory (RAM)
  • Non-volatile memory (ROM)
53
Q

True or False: The information stored in RAM is retained when the computer is turned off.

54
Q

What is the main function of primary memory?

A

It determines the size and number of software applications that a computer can store.

55
Q

What type of memory is RAM?

A

Volatile memory

56
Q

What is ROM?

A

Read-Only Memory

57
Q

What does secondary memory refer to?

A

Auxiliary memory used for storing data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis.

58
Q

Give examples of secondary memory storage devices.

A
  • Hard disks
  • Compact discs (CDs)
  • Flash drives
59
Q

What is cache memory used for?

A

To increase the capacity of the primary memory and to make processing faster.

60
Q

What is the purpose of the Output Unit?

A

For getting information from a computer.

61
Q

What is a soft copy?

A

Information shown on a display unit.

62
Q

What is a hard copy?

A

Printed information obtained from a computer.

63
Q

What are the three basic types of plotters?

A
  • Inkjet plotter
  • Flatbed plotter
  • Drum plotter
64
Q

What is system software?

A

A program that manages and supports the resources and operations of a computer system.

65
Q

What is an operating system?

A

Software that acts as an interface between the user and the computer.

66
Q

What are the types of language translators?

A
  • Compiler
  • Interpreter
  • Assembler
67
Q

What does a compiler do?

A

Translates high-level language programs into machine code.

68
Q

What is application software?

A

A set of programs necessary to carry out operations for a specific application.

69
Q

What is the function of utility software?

A

To assist a computer by performing housekeeping functions.

70
Q

Fill in the blank: _______ is a program that manages the resources and operations of a computer system.

A

System software

71
Q

True or False: The computer uses its input and output devices to access data stored in primary memory.

72
Q

What is GIGO in computing?

A

Garbage In Garbage Out

73
Q

What is the function of utility software?

A

Utility software ensures the smooth functioning of a computer.

74
Q

Name three important types of utility software.

A
  • Text editor
  • Backup utility
  • Compression utility
75
Q

What is the open-source substitute of MS Office?

A

OpenOffice

76
Q

What does a disk defragmentation utility do?

A

Minimizes fragmentation on the disk.

77
Q

What type of software ensures a virus-free environment?

A

Anti-virus software

78
Q

What is an abacus?

A

The first calculating machine that performed simple arithmetic calculations.

79
Q

What is a mainframe computer?

A

A much larger computer, often filling an entire room.

80
Q

Define a microcomputer.

A

A commonly used term for personal computers.

81
Q

What is a byte?

A

A group of eight bits.

82
Q

What is the purpose of a compiler?

A

Translates high-level language programs into machine language.

83
Q

True or False: The first generation of computers was based on integrated circuits.

84
Q

What characterizes second generation computers?

A

Replacement of vacuum tubes with transistors.

85
Q

What are the three components of the CPU?

86
Q

Fill in the blank: _______ is a software that acts as an interface between the user and the computer.

A

[Operating system]

87
Q

What is the function of application software?

A

Performs specific tasks for users.

88
Q

What generation of computers introduced microprocessors?

A

Fourth generation computers.

89
Q

Name two features of a smartphone.

A
  • Built on a mobile OS
  • Enhanced features compared to ordinary mobile phones
90
Q

What is high-level language?

A

A programming language that is more user-friendly and abstracted from machine code.

91
Q

What devices are classified as supercomputers?

A

Very large and powerful computers used for complex calculations.

92
Q

What does primary memory refer to?

A

Memory used for storing data or programs temporarily.

93
Q

What type of software assists the computer by performing housekeeping functions?

A

Utility software

94
Q

True or False: The Pascaline was one of the first mechanical calculators to be developed.

95
Q

What is the role of an interpreter in programming?

A

Converts high-level language programs into machine language by executing line by line.

96
Q

Name a common characteristic of third generation computers.

A

Use of integrated circuits.

97
Q

Fill in the blank: _______ is a portable computer that can be placed on your lap.

98
Q

What defines a minicomputer?

A

Smaller than a mainframe but larger than a microcomputer.

99
Q

What is a language processor?

A

Converts high-level language programs into machine language.

100
Q

List the functional components of a computer.

A
  • Input unit
  • Central Processing Unit
  • Output unit
101
Q

What is secondary memory also known as?

A

Auxiliary memory

102
Q

What does OCR stand for in computing?

A

Optical Character Recognition

103
Q

What is the function of a difference engine?

A

An early mechanical calculator designed for mathematical calculations.

104
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ is a software that controls the internal computer operations.

A

[System software]

105
Q

What are the characteristics of fifth generation computers?

A

Based on principles of artificial intelligence and natural language recognition.

1-Know Your Computer (1 decks)

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