Introduction to Computers Revision Questions

Computer Systems Revision Questions

Operating Systems Revision Questions

Introduction to Computers Revision Questions

What is a Computer?

Why is a computer referred to as an electronic device?

Define the following terms as used in computer science.

Data.

Programs.

Data processing.

Information.

Briefly explain the two forms of data.

Give THREE differences between Data and Information.

The speed of a computer is measured in ___________.

What does the term GIGO stands for?

List and explain 4 salient features/ properties of a computer.

List FIVE advantages of a computerized system over a manual system.

List down the components that make up a computer.

Clearly draw and label the main physical parts of a simple computer system.

What are computer peripherals?

Name and explain the two main divisions of computer storage.

Give two common examples of secondary storage devices.

Name two output devices.

Explain the term System unit.

Name some of the components found in the System unit.

Give three features of a computer’s System Unit.

Why is the screen also called a Monitor?

What is a Mouse in relation to computing?

Briefly describe the history of computers.

What do you mean by computer generations?

Describe the FIVE generations of computers in terms of technology used and give an example of a
computer developed in each generation.

Compare computer memory sizes during the Five computer generation periods.

What was the most remarkable discovery during the second computer generation?

Technology is the basis of computer classification. Based on this, explain briefly the difference between
the first three computer generations.

What is so peculiar in the fourth and fifth generation of computers?

Match the following generations of computers with the technology used to develop them.

Generation Technology

First generation A). Very Large Integrated Circuit

Second generation B). Thermionic valves (Vacuum tubes)

Third generation C). Transistors

Fourth generation D). Integrated Circuits

Give four characteristics of First generation computer.

Write the following abbreviations in full:

ENIAC
VLSI

IC

What is Artificial Intelligence?

State three methods of classifying computers. In each case, list the different types of computers.

What is a Personal computer?

Differentiate the following types of computers.

Supercomputer and Mainframe computer.

Minicomputer and a Personal computer.

Special-purpose (dedicated) computers and General-purpose computers.

Desktop computers and Laptop computers

Briefly describe terms “Analogue” and “Digital computers” as used in computer science.

Give three examples of Special-purpose computers.

Name any FOUR classes of computers based on size and complexity.

Explain exhaustively the importance of computers in the following areas:

Industries.

Hospitals.

Education

Research.

Communication industry.

Law enforcement agencies.

Domestic and Entertainment.

Explain various ways computers have been mostly used in our country.

List down and explain 6 uses of computers in our society.

Explain the similarities and differences between human beings and computer systems.

Define a computer Laboratory.

Give three factors to be considered when preparing a computer laboratory.

What are the requirements of a computer laboratory?

List down THREE safety precautions one should observe when entering a Computer laboratory.

Why must foods and beverages be kept out of the computer room?

Discuss TWO main causes of fire or accidents in the computer laboratory and give the precautions that
should be taken to guard against them.

Give Six safety precautions you should take when handling diskettes.

Where should the arrow on a diskette point when being inserted into the floppy drive.

List THREE things that can spoil a Printer if they are not of the correct specification, and explain what
damage may be caused.

Why are powder based and water-based fire extinguishers not allowed in the computer room?

Identify three facilities that will ensure proper ventilation in a room.

Give THREE reasons why it is important to regularly service the computer.

Explain precisely how the Keyboard, mouse, and other Input devices should be arranged to avoid strain
while working on the computer.

What name is given to alternative sources of power in a computer.

Name any THREE sources of power in a computer system.

State two reasons why a computer needs to be connected to a stable power supply.

State two functions of the UPS.

State two reasons that are likely to cause eye-strain in the computer room.

Identify three proper sitting postures while using the computer.

What is meant by the term ‘booting up’?

Differentiate between cold booting and warm booting.

Write down the procedure to be followed when switching on a computer.

Complete the abbreviation ‘POST’ in computer technology and explain briefly its purpose.
List down the steps that must be followed before switching off the computer.

Define a Keyboard.

Give the TWO types of Keyboards found in the current market.

State and briefly explain the functions of five categories of keys found on a standard keyboard.

State the use of each the following section or combination of keys on the keyboard:

Function keys.

Numeric keypad.

Arrow keys.

Control key.

Name 3 main sections of the Keyboard that are used in typing.

What is the difference between Function keys and Special PC operation keys?

State the functions of the following keys on the keyboard.

Caps Lock.

Spacebar.

Shift Key.

Enter Key.

Backspace.

Delete.

Escape.

Num Lock.

Give two uses of the SHIFT key.

Briefly explain five factors that can be used to determine the type of a computer.Review Questions.

What makes a mouse move a pointer on the screen?

State THREE advantages of using a Mouse instead of a keyboard.

Explain the meaning of the following terms associated with the use of a mouse:

Mouse pointer.

Clicking.

Double-clicking.

Right-clicking.

Drag and drop.

Distinguish between:

Click and right-click.

Double-clicking and dragging.

What is a Shortcut menu?

Computer Systems Revision Questions

Draw a well-labeled diagram showing the components of a computer Hardware model.

Compare with the aid of a diagram, the physical appearance and the electronic components of a
Microcomputer.

What is the Central Processing Unit?

What parts make up the Central processing unit?

Define the acronym A.L.U.

Identify TWO functions of the above unit.

Write short notes on the following:

Control unit.

Arithmetic logic unit (A.L.U).

Main memory.

Define Registers.

List THREE types of Registers and state their functions.

What is a Computer Bus?

List 3 types of computer buses and explain their functions.

Explain briefly the Microprocessor operation cycle.

State TWO factors that determine the type of processor.

Name and explain 3 main parts/ components of the Processor.

What is the function of registers in a processor?

List the electronic components of a Microcomputer.

Draw a block diagram for a simple Microcomputer showing its four main parts. Say what each part does.

Describe the functions of each of the following in a Processor:

Control unit.

Arithmetic Logic unit.

Accumulator.

Internal Registers.

Draw a carefully well labeled diagram showing the architecture of a typical Microprocessor.

Explain in a sentence the function of each of the following components in a Control unit.

Clock.

Program Counter.

Instruction Register.

Name the 3 stages/ phases of the computer processing cycle.

Give the meaning of the initials CPU, and state its other name.

Describe the 3 main components of the CPU.

State two functions of the Central processing unit.

Outline the FIVE main processes under which data undergoes to become information.

How is information stored in a computer?

Differentiate between a ‘Bit’ and a ‘Byte’.

How many bytes would be required to store the following statement?

COMPUTERS ARE FUN TO USE!

Define the term ‘Character’ as used in computing.

What is a Megabyte?

How many Kilobytes and how many characters make a Megabyte?

The size of a computer memory is quoted as being 256 Kbytes.

How many bytes can that computer hold in its memory at a particular time, if K is taken to be 1,024
bytes?

Calculate the precise number of characters that could be stored in the computer. Explain your answer.

What is a Byte?

Name 2 standard 8-bit codes used internationally to represent information in computers.

Outline THREE characteristics of Main storage.

What are the functions of the Main memory of the computer?

Why do we say that the Main memory slows down the computer’s processing speed?

Distinguish between the two types of Primary memory, stating clearly where each one is used.

What is a RAM? What is it used for?

State 3 important facts about RAM.

What is meant by “Random access?”

Briefly describe the two types of RAM, and state where each one is used.
What does ROM mean? What is it used for?

Give 3 important facts/characteristics of ROM.

What programs are stored in ROM?

Define the term “Volatile” in the context of computer memory.

Identify THREE reasons why Dynamic RAMs are the most widely used memories in microcomputer
systems compared to Static RAMs.

Define and explain the following terms:

RAM.

ROM.

PROM.

Co-processor.

Identify the TWO types of Primary memories found in the Central Processing unit.

State how RAMs and ROMs are used in the computer system.

Carefully distinguish between ROM, PROM and EPROM.

What type of memory is used to store the boot up program (the first program to be executed on
switching on a computer)?

State the main differences between Main memory and Backing storage.

What is meant by ‘Secondary Storage’?

Explain 3 reasons why it is necessary for a computer system to have secondary storage facilities.

Outline 3 basic characteristics of Secondary storage devices.

State THREE differences between Primary storage and Secondary storage.

Give TWO reasons for using secondary storage devices instead of using Primary storage.

Give two examples of secondary storage devices.

State 4 functions of secondary storage devices in computer systems.

Explain the salient features of computer secondary storage.

Why do we need secondary storage on a computer system?

State any four advantages of secondary storage over main memory.

State one primary storage device and one secondary device.

What is a Disk?

Explain in detail the uses of a disk in a computer system.

State the two basic types of magnetic disks.

Give THREE differences between the two types of magnetic disks identified in 1(c).

Give 3 reasons why magnetic disks have become the most commonly used medium for online secondary
storage in microcomputer systems.

What is a Disk drive?

State FOUR drives of a computer.

What is a hard disk and what is it meant for?

What are the components of a hard disk.

The disk pack of a hard disk has 6 disk plates.

Calculate the number of surfaces that can be used for recording data. Explain your answer.

Apart from the number of recording surfaces, identify TWO other features that can be used to determine
the storage capacity of the hard disk.

What is a Floppy disk?

How many types of floppy disks are there in terms of size? Name them and state their features.

Draw a well-labeled diagram of a 3.5-inch floppy disk showing its parts.

How does a Floppy disk differ from a Hard disk?

State FOUR precautions that should be taken when handling diskettes.

Distinguish the following:

Magnetic tape unit and Magnetic tape.

Optical disk drive and Optical disk.

What is meant by:

An even parity check?

An odd parity check?

Explain why the use of blocks of records can enable data to be stored more efficiently on magnetic tapes.

Define ‘Transfer time’ and ‘Transfer rate’ with regard to tapes.

Give 3 advantages of using magnetic tapes as secondary storage devices in microcomputer systems.

Give 5 similarities & 5 differences between magnetic tapes and Magnetic disks.

Explain the meaning of Serial Access and Direct Access. Give examples of backing storage devices that
uses each of these methods of access.

List 3 advantages of each of the following types of secondary storage media.

Magnetic Tape.

Magnetic Disk.

Optical Disk.

Name the two types of Optical disks.

Clearly differentiate between the TWO types of Compact Disks (CD-ROMs).

List 3 reasons why Optical discs (CD-ROMs) are not mostly used in microcomputer systems as storage
devices.

Explain the term “Backing store”. Give examples.

State 3 reasons why do most computers require backing store?

Name two different types of backing storage media and compare the accessibility of data from each of
these types.

Draw a diagram to show the construction of ONE backing storage device.

A floppy disk drive is an auxiliary storage drive:

With which type of computer would you normally associate this device?

Why does this type of computer commonly have disk drives as well as Main memory?

If one character is stored in an 8-bit byte, and a floppy disk is said to store 360 KB. Calculate the precise
number of characters that could be stored in the disk. Explain your answer.

Compare the two types of diskettes used in terms of size, capacity and whether they are low or high
density

Define the following terms as used in Magnetic disks:

Access time.

Seek time.

Rotational delay.

Data transfer time.

List THREE examples of Optical storage devices.

Give THREE reasons why Optical disks are better storage devices compared to floppy disks.

Write short notes on the following:

Diskettes.

Hard disks.

Magnetic tapes.

Optical disks.

Explain the term “Access time” and how it can be calculated.

Draw a labeled diagram of Magnetic tape deck/unit.

Explain the following terms with regard to magnetic tape systems:

Load-Point marker.
Inter-Block Gap.

Header label.

Block.

Recording density.

What is the importance of Inter-Block Gaps in a magnetic tape?

Explain the precautions of handling magnetic media.

“In future computer diskettes will be obsolete as every computer will rely on Optical disks”. State
whether or not you agree with this claim and give TWO clear reasons to support your answer.

Assuming that a computer DVD has a storage space of 4GB and a normal movie (video) file takes 700MB
of storage space. How many movies can be stored in a single DVD storage device? (Give your answer to
the nearest whole number).

How many optical disks of 720MB storage capacity are needed to store 20GB storage of hard disk data?
(Give your answer to the nearest whole number).

What is the difference between “Hardcopy” and “Softcopy”?

Name TWO output devices which produce temporary output.

Name THREE output devices which produce permanent output.

What are the factors, which determine the choice of output media and device?

List FIVE different types of computer Output devices.

Name FOUR types of Monitor cards or Adapters.

What is meant by the term “Resolution” as applied to a graphics display?

Why would one wish to use a high resolution rather than a low-resolution display?

Computer output is normally made through Screen or Printer. Compare Screen and Printer as output
devices.

With reasons, briefly describe the most appropriate type of printer or output device for the output of:

Customer invoices on multiparty stationary.

Letters to customers.
Detailed engineering designs.

Name some everyday appliances/ devices in which an Audio response unit would be useful.

Identify 4 Limitations of the Speech Recognition devices found today.

Give THREE Factors used to classify Printers. Describe the various types of Printers in each class.

Name THREE different principles which are used for producing printed output.

Clearly differentiate between Impact and Non-impact printers.

Give two examples of the commonly used Non-impact printers.

Give one device, which can perform both input and output functions in a computer.

Write short notes on the following:

Dot-matrix printer.

Daisy wheel printer.

Golf-ball printer.

Drum printer.

Chain Printer.

Laser printer.

A printer, which is connected to your computer prints garbage when required to print. What could be
THREE probable reasons for not printing properly?

Why is it not possible to print a Graphic on a Daisy Wheel printer?

What is a Plotter?

What advantages does a Plotter have over normal Printer machines?

Describe the process of producing Computer Output on Microform (COM).

Give the advantages of Computer Output on Microform offer printed output.

State TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of using each of the following devices for output.

VDU (monitor/ screen).

COM.

Voice Output.

Printer.

Explain briefly how the following devices work.

Voice (Speech) synthesizer.

Computer Output on Microfilm (COM).

Define a Printer.

With the aid of a diagram, show how Printers are classified.

Compare and contrast:

Impact and Non-Impact printers.

Inkjet and Thermal or Electrostatic Printers.

Why do you think a Desktop Laser printer is a popular choice of printer to use with a Workstation?

What printers are suitable for producing business letters?

What factors should you consider when selecting or purchasing a Printer?

Describe in brief the difference between:

A Flatbed plotter and a Drum plotter.

Microfilm and Microfiche.

What are the essential differences among Character, Line and Page printers?

Give a typical example of each.

Describe the factors to be considered while selecting a printer.

Write short notes on the following: -

VDU.

Graph Plotters.

Voice Output.

What is a Computer Output on Microform (COM)?

Explain the working of COM system.

Give the advantages and disadvantages of COM.

Explain the Printer under the following headings: -

Character prints per given time.

Print provision, i.e. the way they provide the prints onto the stationery.

Print speed.

Give an account of the operational characteristics.

Identify and describe 8 hardware and 8 software factors that can be considered when selecting a
computer.

State and discuss four factors one would consider when purchasing computer software.

What hardware issues would one consider when buying a computer?

Give THREE main functions of a computer input device.

State four examples of input devices you know.

Explain briefly how the following types of devices work.

Speech recognition.

Graphic (digitizing) tablet.

Touch sensitive screen.

Light pen.State TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of using Speech recognition devices.

What are document readers?

Describe various kinds of document readers.

What is the difference between OCR and OMR?

State two advantages & two disadvantages of each.

The diagram below shows coded data that could be input into a computer.

barcode

What is the name given to the above method of input?

State TWO applications that would use this method.

For one of the applications you have given, state TWO items of information that might be represented by
the coded data.

State what hardware is needed to enter the coded information into a computer and briefly describe how
this hardware works.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the following

OCR.

OMR.

MICR.

Interactive whiteboard

What is computer software?

What are the characteristics of software?

What is meant by “Software flexibility”?

What is used to write programs?

What name is given to the language in which programs are written?

Give the name of the language that is understood by the computer.

Define software.

Draw a software family tree.

State the THREE types of software.

Define System software.

Name and explain the main categories of system software.

Name THREE programs which can be classified as ‘System programs’

Write short notes on the following:

Text editor.

Linker.

Loader.

What is a Programming language?

Identify the various types of programming languages.

Describe a Firmware.

What is an Operating System?

What is meant by ‘Machine language’?

What is the difference between machine and Assembly language?

Most computer programming is carried out using High-level or Third generation languages. What is a
High-level language?

Name THREE popular High-level programming languages.

What do you mean by Application software?

Describe the main forms of Application software.

Briefly discuss the two broad categories of software.

Giving examples, name 3 different types of computer programs found on a typical computer systems.

Give 4 examples of System software and Applications software.

Why do people prefer special–purpose applications (developed applications) to generalpurpose
applications (bought off-the-shelf)?

Give THREE factors to consider when choosing an Application package.

What is a program?

Outline the difference between the two classes of programs.

Outline the range and functions of Application programs.

Name FIVE programs which can be classified as ‘Application programs’.

What are Text Editors and where are they most commonly used?

What are Spreadsheets?

Name THREE commonly used spreadsheet packages.

What are Database management system software?

Give 3 examples of database software.

List four categories of Graphics packages.

State some of the essential features of a Graphics package.

Give THREE examples of the most commonly used Presentation Graphics package.

What is Desktop Publishing? How does it differ from Word processing?

State one computer software used in industrial systems. Give examples.

What is Multimedia?

State any four devices of a computer that can be classified under Multimedia devices.

List four applications of multimedia programs.

What are the minimum hardware requirements to run multimedia applications?

What are communication software used for?

What are the advantages of e-mail?

What is a browser and what is it used for?

What are Software Suites? Give the advantages of using suites?

Briefly distinguish between System Software and Application Software.

What are Application packages?

Identify FIVE types of Application software that may be installed in a microcomputer.

Briefly explain what each type of software you have listed does, and give two examples where necessary.

List THREE advantages and disadvantages of general-purpose application software as compared to the
other forms of applications.

Name FOUR major application packages. Outline four features of each.

List the advantages and disadvantages of Integrated packages/Software Suites over Standard packages.

List 8 things that the purchaser of software might require as part of the purchase.

Operating Systems Revision Questions

What criteria are used to classify types of operating systems?

Differentiate between multi-user and multitasking operating systems.

State any computer software that can be classified as a Multi-user operating system.

Name three types of user interfaces employed by different commercial Operating systems.

Differentiate between command-line interface and graphical user interface operating systems based on
the way commands are entered.

State two main advantages of GUI interfaces.

Give FOUR advantages of which Windows based Operating system software has over Disk Operating
System software.
List Four types of Windows versions.

Why is Windows termed as a friendly Operating system?

List four key features of the Windows Operating environment.

Define the term Operating System.

State and discuss functions of an Operating System.

What are the two types of Operating Systems? Explain.

List commands under the following headings:

File management;

Disk management;

What is the syntax of a Dos command?

List some of the internal and external Dos commands that you know.

What will the following Dos commands do?

COPY DATA1 DATA2

COPY DATA1 B:

MD DATA3

RENAME OLDNAME.TXT NEWNAME.TXT

What is a Wildcard? Differentiate between Wildcard and Asterisk(*) and (?).

Explain what the following Dos Commands will do:

COPY DATA *.*A:

DISKCOPY A:B:

DEL DATA*.DBF

ERASE ?ATA*.*

TYPE DATA*.*

TYPE DATA*.DBF>PRN

What is formatting? Why is it important

How would you format a Diskette? How can you include an Operating System to a formatted diskette?

What are the two ways of Adding Dos to a formatted disk?

Write down the command for Adding Volume Label to Disk.