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Computer Awareness Digest-2018

Dear readers,

This Digest is a complete docket of important fundamentals and basics of Computer Application. This Digest is useful for
KVS and UP Assistant Exam.

Basics & Fundamentals of Computer

Computer: A computer is a truly amazing machine that performs a specified sequence of operations as per the set of
instructions (known as programs) given on a set of data (input) to generate desired information (output ).

A complete computer system consists of four parts:

➢ Hardware: Hardware represents the physical and ➢ User: The computer operators are known as users.
tangible components of the computer.

➢ Software: Software is a set of electronic instructions ➢ Data: Consists of raw facts, which the computer stores
consisting of complex codes (Programs) that make the and reads in the form of numbers.
computer perform tasks.

Hardware :

Input Devices Processing Devices Output Devices Storage Devices

Keyboard Mother board Monitor Magnetic Disk
Microphone Processor Printer Optical Disk
Mouse RAM Speaker Flash Memory
Web camera ROM Magnetic Tape
Touch Screen SMPS
Light Pen

The following features characterize this electronic machine:

✓ Speed
✓ Accuracy
✓ Storage and Retrieval
✓ Repeated Processing Capabilities
✓ Reliability
✓ Flexibility
✓ Low cost

Software

Utility Software Application Software System Software (OS)

Utility Text Single user Multi User
Tools
Customized Graphics DOS Unix
Software
Multimedia Mac-OS Windows Server
Language Windows xp,7,8.1
Accounting
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Computer hardware consists of the following components:

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit): CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. It performs all types of data
processing operations, stores data, intermediate results and instructions (program).It controls the operation of all parts
of computer.

Fig: The relationship between different hardware components

[A] CPU itself has following three components:

✓ ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): When the control unit encounters an instruction that involves mathematical calculation
or decision/logic, it passes the control to the second component, i.e., the arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The ALU includes a
group of registers - memory locations built directly into the CPU - that are used to hold data that are being processed by
the current instruction.
✓ Registers: The register is the smallest high-speed storage area in the CPU. All data must be represented in a register
before it can be processed.
✓ Control Unit: This unit controls the operations of all parts of computer but does not carry out any actual data processing
operations

[B] Primary memory consists of mainly two types of memories:

✓ Random Access Memory (RAM): RAM is the internal ✓ Static Random Access Memory (SRAM): A type of
memory of the CPU for storing data, program and memory that is faster and less volatile than DRAM,
program result. It is read/write memory which stores but requires more power and is more expensive. The
data until the machine is working. As soon as the term static is derived from the fact that it does not
machine is switched off, data is erased. need to be refreshed like DRAM.
✓ RAM is volatile, i.e. data stored in it is lost when we ✓ Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
switch off the computer or if there is a power failure. (SDRAM): A type of DRAM that can run at much
Hence a backup uninterruptible power system (UPS) higher clock speeds.
is often used with computers. RAM is small, both in ✓ Read Only Memory (ROM): The memory from which
terms of its physical size and in the amount of data it we can only read but can not write on it . This type of
can hold. memory is non-volatile. The information is stored
There are mainly three types of RAM available: permanently in such memories during manufacture. A
✓ Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM): A type ROM, stores such instructions that are required to
of physical memory used in most personal computers. start a computer. This operation is referred to as
The term dynamic indicates that the memory must be bootstrap.
constantly refreshed2 (reenergized) or it loses its
contents. This type of memory is more economical.

There are mainly three types of ROM available:

✓ MROM (Masked ROM): The very first ROMs only once by a user. The user buys a blank PROM
were hard-wired devices that contained a pre- and enters the desired contents using a PROM
programmed set of data or instructions. These program
kinds of ROMs are known as masked ROMs which ✓ EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read
are inexpensive. Only Memory): The EPROM can be erased by
✓ PROM (Programmable Read only Memory): exposing it to ultra-violet light for a duration of up
PROM is read-only memory that can be modified
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to 40 minutes. Usually, an EPROM eraser achieves It can be erased and

this function. reprogrammed about ten thousand times. Both
✓ EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and erasing and programming take about 4 to 10 ms
Programmable Read Only Memory): The (milli second).
EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically.
Memory

A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and instructions. Computer memory is the storage space in
computer where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing are stored. The memory is divided into
large number of small parts called cells. Each location or cell has a unique address which varies from zero to memory size
minus one.

Memory
Primary Memory Secondary Memory
Cache Memory Main Memory ➢ Magnetic Disk(HDD)
➢ Optical Disk (CD, DVD,BRD)
➢ Flash Memory(Memory card, Pen Drive)
Registers RAM ROM
SRAM DRAM PROM
EPROM
EEPROM

Memory is primarily of three types

➢ Cache Memory: It is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can speed up CPU. It acts as a buffer between
the CPU and main memory.
➢ Primary Memory/Main Memory: Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which computer is
currently working. It has limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched off.
➢ Secondary Memory: This type of memory is also known as external memory or non-volatile. It is slower than main
memory. These are used for storing data/Information permanently.

2. Secondary Storage (External Storage Devices) : Floppy diskettes, hard disk, tapes and optical disks come under the
category of external storage devices or ancillary storage devices. These devices are very sensitive to environmental
conditions (humidity and temperature) as well as to external magnetic fields and need to be stored carefully.
✓ Floppy Disk : Floppy disks are primarily used on PCs. Information on a floppy disk is recorded in the magnetized
states of particles of iron oxides evenly placed upon concentric circles known as tracks.
✓ Hard Disk: It is a non-removable enclosed magnetic disk included in most PCs. It contains a stack of metal platters,
each coated with iron oxide, that spin on a spindle and the entire unit is encased in a sealed chamber.
✓ Magnetic Tape: This is plastic tape, usually made of Mylar that is coated with iron oxide, thereby enabling the
introduction (writing); retention (memory) and reading of magnetically recorded information. The best use of tape
storage is for data that you do not use very often.

3. Peripherals: Peripheral devices are devices connected to the computer externally. If a peripheral device is
disconnected, the computer will still be able to work; only functions performed by this peripheral device will not be
available.

Mainly there are following types of peripheral devices:

1. Input Devices (How to tell it what to do): This unit makes link between user and computer. The input devices
translate the information into the form understandable by computer.

➢ Keyboard ➢ Digitizer
➢ Mouse ➢ Microphone
➢ Joy Stick ➢ Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR
➢ Light pen ➢ Optical Character Reader (OCR)-
➢ Track Ball ➢ Bar Code Reader
➢ Scanner ➢ Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
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2. Output Devices: (How it shows you what it is doing) Output devices translate the computer's output into the form
understandable by users.
➢ Monitors
➢ Printer

Language Processors:
✓ Assembler: This language processor converts the program written in assembly language into machine language.
✓ Interpreter: This language processor converts a HLL(High Level Language) program into machine language by
converting and executing it line by line.
✓ Compiler:-It also converts the HLL program into machine language but the conversion manner is different. It converts
the entire HLL program in one go, and reports all the errors of the program along with the line numbers.

Classification of Computers:

Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing power:

Sr. Type Specifications

No.
1 PC (Personal It is a single user computer system having moderately powerful
Computer) microprocessor.
2 WorkStation It is also a single user computer system which is similar to personal computer
but have more powerful microprocessor.
3 Mini Computer It is a multi-user computer system which is capable of supporting hundreds of
users simultaneously. Software technology is different from minicomputer.
4 Main Frame It is a multi-user computer system which is capable of supporting hundreds of
users simultaneously. Software technology is different from minicomputer.
5 Supercomputer It is an extremely fast computer which can execute hundreds of millions of
instructions per second.

Following are the main memory storage units:

S.No. Unit Description

1 Bit(Binary A binary digit is logical 0 and 1 representing a passive or an active state of a
Digit) component in an electric circuit.
2 Nibble A group of 4 bits is called nibble.
3 Byte A group of 8 bits is called byte. A byte is the smallest unit which can represent a
data item or a character. (1 byte = 8 bits)
4 Word A computer word, like a byte, is a group of fixed number of bits processed as a unit
which varies from computer to computer but is fixed for each computer. The length
of a computer word is called word-size or word length and it may be as small as 8
bits or may be as long as 96 bits. A computer stores the information in the form of
computer words.

Few higher storage units are following:

S.No. Unit Description

1 Kilobyte (KB) 1 KB = 1024 Bytes
2 Megabyte(MB) 1 MB = 1024 KB
3 GigaByte (GB) 1 GB = 1024 MB
4 TeraByte (TB 1 TB = 1024 GB
5. PetaByte (PB) 1 PB = 1024 TB

Software
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Software: software represents the set of programs that govern the operation of a computer system and
make the hardware run. There are two types of software
➢ System Software: The system software is collection of programs designed to operate, control, and extend the
processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software are generally prepared by computer manufactures.
System software serves as the interface between hardware and the end users. Examples: Operating System, Compilers,
Interpreter, Assembler etc.
➢ Application Software: It is the set of programs necessary to carry out operations for a specified application.

Application software can subdivide into three categories:

➢ Packages
➢ Utilities
➢ Customized Software
Following are the main five generations of computers:

S. No. Generation & Description

1 First Generation (1946-1959) Vacuum tube based
2 Second Generation (1959-1965) Transistor based
3 Third Generation (1965-1971) Integrated Circuit based
4 Fourth Generation (1971-1980) VLSI microprocessor based
5 Fifth Generation (1980-onwards) ULSI microprocessor based

Boot: When computer starts, the operating system is first

Multiplexer:- It has multiple input and Single output.
loaded (as it is essential for running all other programs),
this process is known as booting. Multiplexer may be of different type like 4 × 1 MUX,8×1
Motherboard: The motherboard serves as a single MUX,16×1 MUX etc.
platform to connect all of the parts of a computer De Multiplexer:- It perform opposite function of
together. A motherboard connects CPU, memory, hard Multiplexer. It has single input line and multiple output
drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other
line. n×2N .
ports and expansion cards directly or via cables. It can be
considered as the backbone of a computer. Decoder:- It is use to convert one code system to anther
Combinational Circuit: It consist of AND,OR , like Binary to Octal digit or Binary to Hexadecimal digit.
NOT,NAND,NOR Gate. Output will depend on input and there
is no time gap between input and output There are different Adder:- Adder is use to add bits Adder is of to type Half
type of combination circuit used for different purpose. adder and full Adder. Half Adder is use to add two bits and
full Adder is use to add three bits.
Encoder : It perform opposite function of Decoder.
Software categories
➢ Freeware
➢ Shareware
➢ Commercial
➢ Private
➢ Open Source
➢ Proprietary
Number System
When we type some letters or words, the computer translates them in numbers as computers can understand only numbers.
A computer can understand positional number system where there are only a few symbols called digits and these symbols
represent different values depending on the position they occupy in the number.
A value of each digit in a number can be determined using
✓ The digit
✓ The position of the digit in the number
✓ The base of the number system (where base is defined as the total number of digits available in the number system).
1. Decimal Number System: The number system that we use in our day-to-day life is the decimal number system. Decimal
number system has base 10 as it uses 10 digits from 0 to 9. In decimal number system, the successive positions to the
left of the decimal point represent units, tens, hundreds, thousands and so on.
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2. Binary Number System: Uses two digits, 0 and 1, also called base 2 number system . Each position in a
binary number represents a 0 power of the base (2). Last position in a binary number represents a x power of the base
(2).
3. Octal Number System: Uses eight digits, 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7, also called base 8 number system, Each position in an octal
number represents a 0 power of the base (8).
4. Hexadecimal Number System: Uses 10 digits and 6 letters, 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F. Letters represents numbers
starting from 10. A = 10. B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15. Also called base 16 number system .Each position in a
hexadecimal number represents a 0 power of the base (16).

DBMS – Data Base Management System

DBMS: DBMS is the acronym of Data Base Management System. DBMS is a collection of interrelated data and a set of programs
to access this data in a convenient and efficient way. It controls the organization, storage, retrieval, security and integrity of
data in a database.

Keys in DBMS:

super key of an entity set is a set of one or more attributes whose values uniquely determine each entity.

candidate key of an entity set is a set of fields from which primary key can be selected. It is an attribute or a set of attributes
that can act as a primary key for a table to uniquely identify each record in a table.

Primary key is a candidate key that is most appropriate to become main key of the table. It is a key that uniquely identifies
each record in the table

LOGIC GATES
Logic gate : is an elementary building block of a digital circuit. Most logic gates have two inputs and one output. At any given
moment, every terminal is in one of the two binary conditions low (0) or high (1)
There are seven basic logic gates: AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XNOR
Networking
Network: Computer Networks means interconnected set of autonomous system that permit distributed processing to
information.
Five components:
✓ Sender Computer ✓ Receiver Equipment(Modem)
✓ Sender equipment (Modem) ✓ Receiver Computer
✓ Communication Channel ( Telephone Cables)

Classified on the basis of Geographical Coverage:

connectivity within a campus or small
➢ Local Area Network (LAN): A local area network geographical area.
is relatively smaller and privately owned network ➢ Wide Area Network (WAN): A wide Area
with the maximum span of 10 km. Network (WAN) is a group Communication
➢ Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) : MAN is Technology ,provides no limit of distance.
defined for less than 50 Km and provides regional

Types of Network
1. Point to Point Network: When a packet is sent from one router to another intermediate routers, the entire packet is
stored at each intermediate router, stored there till the output line is free and then forwarded. A subnet using this
principle is called point to point or packet switched network.
2. Broadcast Networks: Broadcast networks have a single communication channel that is shared by all the machines on
the network.

Transmission Media

➢ Network Cables ➢ Repeaters

➢ Distributors ➢ Bridge
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➢ Routers ➢ External Network Cards

➢ Internal Network Cards ➢ Universal Serial Bus (USB)
➢ Modem (Modulator –DE Modulator)

Operating System:-
An Operating system is a program, which acts as an interface between a user and the hardware.

Characteristics of Operating System:

✓ Memory Management ✓ Control over system performance
✓ Processor Management ✓ Interaction with the operators
✓ Device Management ✓ Error-detecting aids
✓ File Management ✓ Coordination between other software and
✓ Security users
✓ Job accounting

MS - Window

MS-Windows is a GUI based operating system. In Windows Operating system multiple applications can be simultaneously
run in different windows.
➢ In MS-Windows, the screen upon which icons, ➢ Toolbar: A set of button you click to perform
windows, too are displayed is known as desktop. common tasks.
➢ An icon is a graphic symbol that represents a ➢ A folder is a location in which you can store files
window element like, file, folder, or shortcut. and other folders.
➢ Loading up of operating system files into the ➢ To create a new folder, File—New—Folder
computer’s memory in called booting up. commands are clicked in My Computer windows.
➢ The taskbar is a bar, which is usually located at ➢ To find files or folders, Start---Find---Files or
the bottom of the screen. Folder commands are clicked.
➢ My computer is helpful for viewing the contents ➢ To create a shortcut to a file, firstly select the file
of a single folder or drive. or folder, whose shortcut is to be created. Then
➢ Windows Explorer is another way of seeing drag the file icon through right mouse button to
what is on your computer. Windows Explorer desired location where shortcut to be placed, and
shows the computer’s contents as a hierarchy. then select create shortcut(s).
➢ File: A program or document stored on a disk. ➢ To shut down the computer, Start—Shut Down
commands are clicked.

MS-Word
✓ A word processor is a package that processes borders can be applied through Borders and
textual matter and creates organized and flawless shading option of Format menu.
documents. ✓ The page formatting in Word can be controlled
✓ The world processor offers very useful features through Page Setup … option of File menu. The
like speed, powerful editing and formatting header and footer can be created and formatted
features, permanent storage, Graphics, object using Header and Footer option of the view menu.
linking and embedding, spell check and mail ✓ In word, the document can either be printed
merge etc. through print button of standard toolbar or
✓ The word processor automatically fits the typed through the Print.. option of File menu. The help
text within the specified left and right margins. is available in Word through the Help menu.
This feature is called word wrapping. ✓ In word, spelling and grammar can be checked
✓ Margins can be four type viz. left, right, top and either through the spelling and Grammar option
bottom. of Tools menu.
✓ The distance between text boundaries and page ✓ The Autocorrect feature of Word converts
margins is called indent. The indent can be shorthand into longer strings. You can create your
positive, negative or hanging indent. own Autocorrect entries by clicking to
✓ The text layout Autocorrect command to Tools menu.
✓ In Word, paragraphs can be formatted through
Paragraph option of Format menu and the
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✓ Tables can be inserted in a Word document the merged document. The main
through Table button of Standard toolbar and can document and data source can handled through
be manipulated through the table drop menu. Mail Merge option of Tools menu.
✓ In MS-Word, the mail merge involves two files –
Main document and data source file to produce
Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Ctrl+W Close the active window / document
Ctrl+Z Undo an action
Ctrl+Y Redo the last action or repeat an action
Ctrl+S Save a document
Ctrl+P Print a document
Ctrl+K Insert a hyperlink.
Alt+Right. Arrow Go forward one page.
Ctrl+C Copy selected text or graphics to the Office Clipboard.
Ctrl+V Paste the most recent addition to the Office Clipboard.
Ctrl+Shift+A Format all letters as capitals.
Ctrl+B Applies or removes bold formatting.
Ctrl+I Applies or removes italic formatting.
Ctrl+= Apply subscript formatting (automatic spacing).
F1 Open Help
F4 Repeat the last action performed(Word 2000+)
F5 Open the Find, Replace, and Go To window in Microsoft Word
F7 Spellcheck and grammar check selected text or document
F12 Save As

Some of the valid file names are as follows:

Type of File File name and Extension

Notepad File Type.txt
Paintbrush File Painting.bmp
Word Document.doc
Excel Book.xls
PowerPoint Presentation.ppt
Database Db1.mdb
Executable Game.exe

MS-EXCEL

✓ A spreadsheet is a software tool that lets one ✓ A range can be moved either through cut and
enter, calculate, manipulate and analyze set of paste operations or by dragging the range border.
numbers. ✓ A range can be cleared through Edit--Clear
✓ A Worksheet is a grid of cells made up of command.
horizontal rows and vertical columns. ✓ To erase everything from a worksheet ,select all
✓ A workbook is a group of worksheets. the cells in the worksheet and then use Edit—
✓ Three types of data can be entered in a worksheet Clear—All.
(i) number (ii) Text (iii) Formulas. ✓ To save a workbook use File- Save command.
✓ Cell can be referenced in three ways (i) relative ✓ To open a workbook use File—Open command.
(ii) absolute (iii) mixed ✓ To insert cells, rows or columns in worksheet, use
✓ A cell can be edited either by overwriting or Insert---Cells----, Insert-----Rows or Insert-----
by partially modifying the cell contents. Column command respectively.
✓ A range can selected using mouse or keyboard. ✓ General arrangement of data is known as
✓ A range can be either through copy and paste formatting.
operations or by dragging the fill handle. ✓ Formatting does not affect the actual cell value
only the appearance change.
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✓ Formatting is performed in MS-Excel through ✓ Chart in MS-Excel saved in two

options available in Format menu. ways : (i) embedded chart (ii) chart sheet
✓ Charts are the pictorial representation of ✓ Embedded chart is a chart object that is placed on
worksheet data. a worksheet and saved with that work sheet.
✓ Various chart types in MS- Excel are area chart, ✓ Chart sheet is a sheet in workbook that contains
column chart, bar chart, line chart, pie chart, only a chart.
XY(Scatter) chart. ✓ Charts are created using chart wizard.

Powerpoint

✓ The application software that can create menu’s Apply Design Template option or ever
professional looking visual aids is called from the shortcut menu.
Presentation Graphics Software. ✓ A color scheme is a combination of various colors
✓ MS-PowerPoint can be started by clicking at used for text and other presentation elements.
Start—Program---Microsoft PowerPoint. ✓ A color scheme can be changed by clicking at
✓ A slide can contain one or more of these Slide Color Scheme option of Format menu.
components: Titles, Graphs, Drawing objects, ✓ Background color can be changed by clicking at
ClipArt and Pictures. Format----Background command or even
✓ The slide components that are used for reference through slide’s shortcut menu.
are: Handouts, Notes ,Outlines. ✓ You can change text font and style by using
✓ A new presentation can be created through one of Format---Font command.
these methods:(i) Auto content Wizard (ii) ✓ Header and Footer information can be viewed and
Design Templates (iii) Sample Presentation changed by clicking at View---Header and Footer
and (iv) Blank Presentation option.
✓ A new side can be added by either clicking at ✓ The slide ---shorter view in useful for viewing the
Common Tasks options of Formatting toolbar slides in miniature forms and for rearranging
and then selecting New Slide option, by clicking at them.
Insert menu’s New Slide option. ✓ Movies (Vedio) & Sound can be inserted by using
✓ A presentation in PowerPoint can viewed in any Insert—Movies & Sounds command.
of these views: Normal, Outline, Slide, Slide ✓ While creating slide shows you can add
Sorter, Slide Show and Notes Page View. transitions to slides by using Slide Show --- Slide
✓ To apply new design to slides, click either at Transition command.
Apply Design Template option of Common Tasks ✓ To add animation, you can use Slide Show-----
options of Formatting toolbar, or at Format Custom Animation commands.

Internet
• The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite
(TCP/IP) to link several billion devices worldwide. It also known as “network of networks” that consists of millions of
private, public, academic, business, and government networks.

Various Applications of Internet are:

✓ Exchange messages using e-mail (Electronic ✓ Search databases of government, individuals and
mail). organizations.
✓ Transfer files as well as software. ✓ Read news available from leading news groups.
✓ Browse through information on any topic on ✓ Send or receive animation and picture files from
web. distant places.
✓ Communicate in real time (chat) with others ✓ Set up a site with information about your
connected to the Internet. company’s products and services.

• The World Wide Web commonly known as the Web or www developed founded by Tim Berners – Lee in 1989, is a
system of interlinked hypertext documents that are accessed via the Internet. These multimedia pages are ever-
changing.

• A web browser (commonly referred to as a browser) is a software application for retrieving, presenting and traversing
information resources on the World Wide Web.
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Various features of a Web Browser are:

✓ Menu bar: The menu bar, located at the very top of the screen, can be accessed using the mouse. Actions that are in
black can be performed, while actions that cannot be performed will be in gray or lightened.
✓ Tool bar: The tool bar is located at the top of the browser; it contains navigational buttons for the Web. Basic
functions of these buttons include:
Command Function
Home Opens or returns to starting page
Back Takes you to the previous page
Forward Takes you to the next page
Print Prints current page
Stop Stops loading a page
Reload Refresh/redisplays current page
Search Accesses search engine

✓ Location bar: The location bar, below the tool bar, is a box labelled "Location," "GoTo," or "Address." You can type in a
site's address, and press the Return or Enter key to open the site.
✓ Status bar: The status bar is located at the very bottom of the browser window. You can watch the progress of a web
page download to determine if the host computer has been contacted and text and images are being downloaded.
✓ Scroll bar: The scroll bar is the vertical bar located on the right of the browser window. You can scroll up and down a
web page by placing the cursor on the slider control and holding down the mouse button.
✓ A website is a set of related web pages served from a single web domain.
✓ The Uniform Resource Locator, abbreviated as URL is the Address for web sites. Most of them begin with http (Hyper
Text Transfer Protocol), followed by a colon and two slashes.. In most web browsers, the URL of a web page is displayed
on top inside an address bar. An example of a typical URL would be "http://www.gradestack.com".
✓ A Home page, index page, or main page is a page on a website. A home page usually refers to:
✓ A Hyperlink is a reference to data that the reader can directly follow either by clicking or by hovering or that is followed
automatically.
✓ Downloading means to receive data to a local system from a remote system, or to initiate such a data transfer.
✓ Uploading refers to the sending of data from a local system to a remote system such as a server or another client with
the intent that the remote system should store a copy of the data being transferred.
✓ An email attachment is a computer file sent along with an email message. One or more files can be attached to any
email message, and be sent along with it to the recipient. The first email was sent by Ray Tomlinson to himself in 1971.
✓ CC (Carbon Copy) in e – mail indicates those who are to receive a copy of a message addressed primarily to another.
The list of CCed recipients is visible to all other recipients of the message.
✓ An additional BCC (blind carbon copy) field is available for hidden notification; recipients listed in the BCC field receive
a copy of the message, but are not shown on any other recipient's copy (including other BCC recipients).
✓ The Drafts folder retains copies of messages that you have started but are not yet ready to send.
✓ Hotmail, a free e-mail service provided by Microsoft which was established in 1995 was co - founded by an Indian
American entrepreneur Sabeer Bhatia along with Jack Smith in July of 1996.
✓ An Internet Protocol address (also known as an IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device (e.g.,
computer, printer) participating in a computer network. It acts as an identifier for a computer. It is a unique address for
every computer.
✓ Top-level domain: Each part of a domain name contains certain information. The first field is the host name, identifying
a single computer or organization. The last field is the top-level domain, describing the type of organization and
occasionally country of origin associated with the address. For e.g. - .com – Commercial, .edu – Educational

Computer Viruses:

A virus is a parasitic program that infects another legitimate program, which is sometimes called the host. To infect the host
program, the virus modifies the host so that it contains a copy of the virus.

Boot sector viruses: A boot sector virus infects the boot record of a hard disk. The virus allows the actual boot sector data
to be read as through a normal start-up were occurring.

Cluster viruses: If any program is run from the infected disk, the program causes the virus also to run . This technique
creates the illusion that the virus has infected every program on the disk.
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Worms: A worm is a program whose purpose is to duplicate itself.

Bombs: This type of virus hides on the user’s disk and waits for a specific event to occur before running.

Trojan Horses: A Trojan Horses is a malicious program that appears to be friendly. Because Trojan Horses do not make
duplicates of themselves on the victim’s disk. They are not technically viruses.

Stealth Viruses: These viruses take up residence in the computer’s memory, making them hard to detect.

Micro Viruses: A macro virus is designed to infect a specific type of document file, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft
Excel files. These types of documents can include macros, which are small programs that execute commands.

Commonly Used Computer Terms

✓ Abort: To stop a program or function before it has ✓ Compatible: The ability of one device or program to
finished. work with another device or program. For example, a
✓ Algorithm: A set of instructions that provides a printer and a computer are said to be compatible if
solution to a given problem. they can be connected to each other.
✓ Animation: A simulation of movement created by ✓ Conventional Memory: The first 640K of electronic
displaying a series of pictures, or frames. For example, Memory (RAM) in a computer used to run OS and
cartoons on television. applications.
✓ ANSI: American National Standards Institute, a ✓ Debug: In computer related systems, fixing software
powerful industry association of USA, promoting related problem is known as debugging.
Programming language standards. ✓ Digitize To scan a piece of artwork in very fine detail
✓ Antivirus: Program A utility that searches a hard disk and store it in a form that computer understands.
for viruses and removes any, that is found. ✓ DOS: It stands for Disk Operating System. It is a single
✓ Architecture: A design. It can refer to either user operating system.
hardware or software or to a combination of ✓ DVD: Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc
hardware and software. The architecture of a system ✓ Dynamic: Refers to actions that take place at the
defines its broad outlines. moment they are needed rather than in advance.
✓ ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Inter ✓ EDP: Electronic Data Processing.
change. This is a seven/eight bit code widely used in ✓ E-Mail: Electronic Mail. A facility to send electronic
computers for the transfer of data. messages to another person on a computer network.
✓ Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be ✓ End-User: The end user is the individual who uses
transmitted in a fixed amount of time. It is usually the product after it has been fully developed and
expressed in bits per second (bps) or bytes per marketed.
second. ✓ EPROM: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory.
✓ Bit: The smallest unit of information in computer A type of ROM that can be programmed or
system. Bit is short for binary digit; either a "1” or a reprogrammed usually by exposing a normally
"0". covered sector to UV-Light.
✓ Boot: The process of getting the computer started. ✓ Extended Memory: Memory in addition to
✓ Byte: A byte is made up of 8 bits. The amount of conventional memory used to run and manage
memory it takes to store a single character. applications; together with expanded memory, it
✓ Cache: A separate area of Primary Memory (RAM) helps PCs to address increased amounts of data in
where the computer stores a copy of frequently used memory.
information for quick access. This is meant to speed ✓ Fax/Facsimile: A way of transmitting copies of
up the operation of the hard disk. documents over telephone lines. Fax is short for
✓ CD-ROM: Compact Disk-Read Only Memory. This is a Facsimile.
permanent storage device used to store large ✓ Gigabyte: Abbreviated as GB, is equal to 1024 MB.
quantities of information that need not be changed. GUI Graphical User Interface. A user interface that
✓ CGA: Color Graphics Adapter. Low-resolution screen works visually and is based on the selection of actions
(640x200 pixels) with color capability. using a mouse or a similar pointing device to click on
✓ Character: A number, letter, symbol, or punctuation icons or to pick options from menus; see also icon.
mark. ✓ Hertz: A unit of frequency that means Cycles per
✓ Chip: A small piece of silicon containing thousands or Second.
millions of electrical elements. Also called an ✓ High Density: The amount of information a disk can
Integrated Circuit (IC). hold. High Density disks hold more information than
Double Density disks.
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✓ Hypertext: A method of presenting information so ✓ Macro: A symbol, name, or key that

the user can view it in a non-sequential way, represents a list of commands, actions or keystrokes.
regardless of how the topics were originally arranged. ✓ Math co-processor: Part of the microprocessor; a
It has now evolved as a flexible software technology companion chip designed to perform complex
to create electronic books provides fast and flexible calculations.
access to search criteria and provides quick access to ✓ Megabyte (M, MB): Approximately one million
information in large documents. characters; actually 1,048,576 bytes. A measure of
✓ HTML: Hyper Text Markup Language. A markup or memory or storage.
structuring language used to describe Web and ✓ Megahertz (MHz): A measure of processing speed.
Intranet documents. It is used to define structure, The higher the value, the faster a computer can work.
appearance and placement of HTML elements ✓ Microprocessor: A single chip containing all the
including, fonts, graphics, text, hypertext links to elements of a computer's CPU.
other sites and many more details. ✓ MIPS: Million Instructions Per Seconds, a unit for
✓ IBM: International Business Machines, a USA based measuring the speed of a computer.
multinational Company. ✓ Mother Board: The main circuit board of a computer,
✓ Icon: A graphical screen element that executes one or which carries electrical signals to and from various
more commands when selected with a mouse or other parts of the computer.
pointing device ✓ Multimedia: A computer system that combines text,
✓ IDE: Integrated Device Electronics, a standard used graphics, animation, music, voice and video media;
for connecting hard drive to a computer. IDE hard may include stereo speakers as an output device.
drives are very common and relatively inexpensive. ✓ Multiprocessing: It refers to a computer system’s
✓ Intel: The manufacturer of the most popular ability to support more than one process at the same
microprocessors or CPUs. time. It is also called multitasking.
✓ Intelligent: Printer combining laser, computer and ✓ Nibble: Half a byte i.e. 4bits.
photocopying technology. ✓ Non-Volatile Memory: This is data storage that does
✓ Internet: The world's largest computer network that not lose its contents on power off; for example, ROM.
links many of the scientific, research and educational ✓ Notebook Computer: A portable computer,
computers as well as commercial networks. The approximately 8½ by 11 inches, that fits inside a
internet uses TCP/IP protocols, and computers on briefcase.
Internet can run on any operating system, like, several ✓ Numeric keypad: The part of a keyboard that looks
variations of UNIX, Windows NT, and VMS etc. like an adding machine, with 10 digits and
✓ Intranet: In the most general sense, a private mathematical operators; usually located on the right
corporate network that uses Internet technology side of the keyboard.
based software and TCP/IP protocol standards. Many ✓ Office-Automation: The use of computer systems to
companies use intranets for tasks as simple as execute a variety of office operations, such as word
distributing a company letter and for tasks as complex processing, accounting and Email.
as posting and updating technical support bulletins to ✓ Parallel Port: An outlet on a computer used to attach
service personnel worldwide. An intranet does not a device, such as a printer. A parallel port sends data
always include permanent connection to Internet. (bits) down the wire side by side (parallel to each
✓ Kilobyte (K, KB) Approximately one thousand other).
characters; actually 1024bytes. ✓ Pentium: The fifth generation of microprocessors.
✓ LAN An acronym for local area network. A system of The Pentium is 2 to 3 times faster than the 80486, the
PCs that are located relatively near to each other and fourth generation of microprocessors.
connected by wire so that individual users can ✓ Peripheral: Any piece of hardware attached to the
cooperatively process information and share outside of a computer. Examples are printers and
resources; see also WAN. modems.
✓ Laptop Computer: A portable computer, small ✓ Pixel: Short for "Picture Element". A Pixel is the
enough to be held on a lap,but slightly larger than a smallest dot the computer can control on the screen.
notebook computer. ✓ Portable computer: A small computer that usually
✓ LED: Light Emitting Diode. An electronic device that runs on batteries. In the categories of portable
lights up when electricity is passed through it. computers are laptop, notebook, sub-notebook and
✓ Light Pen: An input device that allows a user to write palmtop.
on or point to a special pad or the screen of a pen- ✓ Protocol: In networking and communications, the
based computer, such as a PDA. formal specification that defines the procedures to
✓ Macintosh: A PC based on a Motorola microprocessor follow when transmitting and receiving data. Protocol
employing GUI. Apple Macintosh has been in use since defines the format, timing, sequence and error
late eighties. checking used on the network.
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✓ Resolution: The size and quantity of dots that make emulation. TCP/IP is supported by a
up a printed page, screen or scanned image. large number of H/W and S/W vendors and is
✓ Runtime: Error An error that occurs during the available on many computer systems, from PCs to
execution of a program. mainframes.
✓ Scanner: An input device used to copy a printed ✓ Troubleshoot: To isolate the source of a problem and
document into a computer’s memory in digital form, fix it. In case of computer systems, troubleshoot is
without requiring manual keying. usually used when the problem is hardware related.
✓ SCSI: Small Computer System Interface. A standard ✓ UNIX: A multi user operating system.
for connecting a hard drive to a computer. ✓ Upgrade: A new version of a software or hardware
✓ Serial Port: An outlet on a computer used to attach a product designed to replace an older version of the
device, such as a modem. A serial port sends data same product.
(bits) down the wire one at a time (in a series). ✓ UPS: Uninterruptible Power Supply. It is a power
✓ Service Pack: It is an update to a software version supply that includes a battery to maintain power in
that fixes an existing problem, such as a bug or the event of a power cut for several minutes to some
✓ provides enhancements to the product that will hours.
appear in the next version of the product. ✓ Utility: A program that performs a very specific task,
✓ TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol / Internet usually related to managing system resources.
Protocol is a set of communication protocols that
encompass media access, packet transport, session
communications, file transfer, e-mail, and terminal

Some expected and important questions of Computer Awareness :

1. Vacuum Tube is the invention ……generation.

A. 1st generation
B. 2nd gen
C. 4th gen
D. 5th gen
Ans: A
In first Generation (1940-1956), the first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory and
were often enormous, taking up entire rooms.

2. The computer size was very large in ____.

A. First Generation
B. Second Generation
C. Third Generation
D. Fourth Generation
Ans: A
First generation computers used 1000s of vacuum tubes that required lot of space made them gigantic in size. Single
transistor could replace 1000 vacuum tubes and a single IC chip replaced 1000s of transistors made computers smaller and
more speedy.

3. ____ is responsible for overall control and co-ordination of instruction execution.

A. CPU
B. ALU
C. RAM
D. Control Unit
Ans: D
The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) that directs operation of the processor.
It tells the computer's memory, arithmetic/logic unit , input and output devices how to respond to a program's instructions.
4. Which of the following is the fastest type of computer?
A. Mini computer
B. Mainframe computer
C. Supercomputer
D. Digital computer
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Ans: C
A supercomputer is a computer with great speed and memory. supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few
programs as fast as possible.

5. Who among the following is the odd one______?

A. Mouse
B. Scanner
C. Printer
D. Keyboard
Ans: C
Except Printer (Output device) all are examples of input devices (keyboards, mouse, scanners ).

6. Which is not a storage device?

A. Printer
B. CD
C. Hard disk
D. Floppy Disk

Ans: A

Storage device is a piece of computer equipment on which information can be stored. But Printer is the External device
that communicates with another digital device to print what a user sees on a screen.

7. Memory which forgets every thing when you switch off the power is known as_____.
A. Corrupted
B. Volatile
C. Non-Volatile
D. Non-Corrupted
Ans: B
Non-volatile keeps memory when the computers power is switched off. Volatile dumps everything in RAM when the
computer loose power.
8. Physical components that make up your computer are known as______.
A. Software
B. Operating Systems
C. Hardware
D. Web Browsers
Ans: C
The most common hardware components are Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, CPU etc.
9. Which of the following is suitable after you install new drivers?
A. Shut Down
B. Restart
C. Sleep
D. Hibernate
Ans: B
Restart is suitable after you install new drivers.
10. Which of the following cannot be shared?
A. Printer
B. Scanner
C. Plotter
D. Mouse

Ans:D
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Mouse is a pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface. Mouse
cannot be shared.

11. A terabyte comprises_______.

A. 1025 byte
B. 1024 byte
C. 1024 bits
D. 1024 gigabyte
E. None of these
Ans: D
A terabyte (TB) is a measure of computer storage capacity approximately 1,024 gigabytes (GB).
12. What does MICR stand for?
A. Magnetic Ink character Register
B. Magnetic Ink Code Reader
C. Magnetic Ink Code Register
D. Magnetic Ink character Recognition
Ans: D

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a character-recognition technology used mainly by the banking industry to
ease the processing and clearance of cheques and other documents.

13. A ______is a software program used to view Web pages.

A. Site
B. Host
C. Link
D. Browser
Ans:D
A browser is a software application used to locate, retrieve and display content on the World Wide Web, including Web
pages, images, video and other files.
14. Micro-programming introduced by_______?
A. John Mauchley
B. Maurice Wilkies
C. William Shockley
D. Blaise pascal
Ans: B
In 1951, Maurice Wilkies was developed the concept of microprogramming from the realization that the Central
Processing Unit of a computer could be controlled by a miniature, highly specialised computer program in high-speed
ROM.
15. On color monitor each pixel is composed of _____.
A. two mini dots
B. five mini dots
C. six mini dots
D. three mini dots
Ans: D
On color monitors, each pixel is actually composed of three dots a red, a blue and a green one.
16. Numbers and formulae entered in a cell are called _____.
A. Labels
B. Numeric entries
C. Intersection
D. Text
Ans:B
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When entering numbers in a cell the spreadsheet interprets the data as being numbers, which makes
the use of mathematical formulas on the data possible.By default the data recognized as being numbers will be right justified
in the cell.
17. Fax machines are used to send documents through a?
A. Telephone line
B. Modems
C. Co-axial wire
D. All of these
Ans:A
Fax is the telephonic transmission of scanned printed material normally to a telephone number connected to a printer or
other output device.
18. Date and time are available on the desktop at_________.
A. Keyboard
B. Recycle bin
C. My computer
D. Task bar
Ans: D
A taskbar is an element of a graphical user interface. It shows which programs or applications are running on the device as
well as provide links or shortcuts to other programs or places, such a start menu, notification area and clock.
19. To save an existing file with new name at a new location we should use_______command .
A. Save
B. Save and replace
C. Save as
D. New file
Ans: C
Choosing "Save As" brings up a prompt to save your work as a file with a different name. Just be sure to rename the file
something new when you choose "Save As" or you will overwrite the current saved version.
20. You can use ____to copy selected text and ______ to paste it in a document.
A. ctrl+c, ctrl+ v
B. ctrl+ c, ctrl+p
C. ctrl+ s, ctrl+z
D. shift+ c, alt+ p
Ans: A
We can use ctrl+c to copy selected text and ctrl+v to paste it to the document.
21. A red wavy line under a word indicates that the word_______.
A. Is too long for the line of text
B. Is not in the dictionary file and therefore might be spelt incorrectly
C. Is not appropriate for that particular sentence
D. Is a verb
Ans: B
MS word can check the text for correctness and allows you to make amends. If there is a spelling mistake, the word gets
underlined with a red color line indicating the error.
22. Windows xp, windows 7, windows 8.1 are known as what?
A. Processors
B. Domain names
C. Modems
D. Operating system
Ans: D
An operating system is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common
services for computer programs.
23. _______ is when the more power-hungry components, such as the monitor and the hard drive are put in idle.
A. Hibernation
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B. Power down
C. Standby mode
D. The shutdown procedure
Ans: C
When electronic devices are receiving power but are not running, they are in standby mode. A computer in standby mode
requires a small amount of current called a "trickle charge" that keeps the current state of running software saved in the
computer's RAM.
24. Video–conferencing requires a microphone, speakers and a ______ attached to your computer.
A. Mouse
B. Keyboard
C. Video camera
D. Scanner
Ans: C
Video-conferencing is a set of telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to communicate by
simultaneous two-way video and audio transmissions. For a videoconferencing system video camera, computer monitor,
television, projector are required.
25. Which of the following is an operating system?
A. Linux
B. Debugger
C. Mozilla
D. Google chrome
Ans: A
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open-source software development
and distribution.
26. What is the base of hexadecimal number system?
A. 2
B. 8
C. 16
D. 10
Ans: C
The hexadecimal numeral system, is a numeral system made up of 16 symbols (base 16).
27. RTGS stand for_____.
A. Real Time Gross Settlement
B. Real Time General Settlement
C. Run Time gross Settlement
D. Regular Time General Settlement
Ans: A
Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems are specialist funds transfer systems where transfer of money or securities
takes place from one bank to another on a "real time" and on "gross" basis.

28. What is the name given to the temporary storage area that a web browser uses to store pages and graphics that it has
recently opened?
A. Niche
B. Webspace
C. Cache
D. Cellar
Ans: C
Images are often stored in a cache so the next time you request for that image it is obtained locally rather than from the
website.
29. Oracle is an example of ______ application software.
A. Database
B. Word processing
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C. Project management
D. Presentation graphics
Ans: A
Database software tools are primarily used for storing, modifying, extracting and searching for information within a
database.
30. Primary key is a ______?
A. Common key
B. Unique key
C. Input key
D. Output key
Ans: B
A primary key is a key in a relational database that is unique for each record. It is a unique identifier, such as a driver
license number, telephone number or vehicle identification number (VIN). A relational database must always have one
and only one primary key.
31. Which of the following can be used to select the entire document?
A. Ctrl+A
B. Alt+F5
C. Shift+A
D. Ctrl+K
Ans: A
For selecting entire document we use Ctrl+ A.
32. Which of the following will you require to hear music on your computer?
A. Video Card
B. Sound Card
C. Mouse
D. Joy Stick
Ans: B
A sound card is used to generate sound and provides audio output to external devices like speakers and headphones.

33. Father of 'C' programming language_________.

A. Dennis Ritchie
B. Prof Jhon Kemeny
C. Thomas Kurtz
D. Bill Gates
Ans: A
Dennis Mac Alistair Ritchie was an American computer scientist. He created the C programming language.
34. Which of the following is not a method of accessing the web?
A. modem
B. ISDN
C. DSL
D. CPU
Ans: D
CPU (central Processing Unit) is a part of the computer. All the others can be used to access the net.

35. Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) is a _________.

A. Website for Consumers
B. Portal
C. Organization that allocates web addresses
D. Super Computer
Ans: B
Yahoo is one of the largest portals in the world. A portal is a website intended to be a starting point for exploring and
searching the www.
36. Internet Explorer is a _____.
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A. Web Browser
B. Graphing Package
C. News Reader
D. Any person browsing the net
Ans: A
Internet Explorer (IE) is the most common web browsers . Web Browser is a program that you use to surf the internet.
37. Disk access times are measured in ______?
A. minute
B. Milliseconds
C. Hours
D. seconds
Ans: B
Disk access times are measured in milliseconds, often abbreviated as ms.
38. Blaise Pascal has introduced_______________?
A. Adding machine
B. Abacus
C. Calculator
D. difference engine
Ans: A
In 1642, Balise Pascal has introduced an adding machine that could perform additions and subtractions directly and
multiplication and divisions by repetition.
39. Sending an e-mail is similar to _________.
A. Petering an event
B. Narrating a store
C. Writing a letter
D. Creating a drawing
Ans: C
Creating and sending an e-mail message is in many ways similar to writing a letter without a stamp.

40. What is the file extension of MS-Power point ?

A. .exe
B. .xls
C. .ppt
D. .pst
Ans: C
.ppt is a file extension for a presentation file format used by Microsoft PowerPoint, the popular presentation software
commonly used for office and educational slide shows.