Basics of IT: Computer Systems, Memory, and Storage Devices

1) Question:

What exactly do we mean when we talk about information technology?

Answer:

Information technology, sometimes known as IT, refers to any computer-based tool that individuals employ in order to work with information and support the information and information-processing needs of an organization.

IT has evolved into a universal form of technology in the modern world. We should be aware of a wide variety of application software and services since they have the potential to improve our productivity at school and at home, provide us with much-needed information, help us progress academically, and provide us with uncountable hours of entertainment. Knowledge of information technology is now essential for practically any job.

For instance, in the corporate world, managers have the responsibility of figuring out what kinds of hardware and software would match their present and future company demands, determining the best time to make purchases, and figuring out how to secure their IT expenditures. This does not mean that managers need to be specialists in every area of technology; however, a fundamental knowledge of hardware and software can help them make the proper decisions when it comes to investing in information technology.

2) Question:

What exactly is meant by the phrase "computer-based information system"?

Answer:

A computer-based information system is a collection of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures that are all arranged to take in data and information, process it, and then output it.

To be successful in the current information and knowledge age, we need to have knowledge and understanding of how computers and their applications work.

Our focus in this online unit will be on the physical (hardware) components that make up a computer-based information system.

3) Question:

What does ‘hardware’ mean?

Answer:

Hardware is any machine or device that helps an information system take in information, process it, store it, or send it out. Hardware for computers includes things like a computer system, a laptop, an LCD monitor, a keyboard and mouse, a speaker system, a PC headset, a wireless router, a web camera, and so on.

4) Question:

What exactly is the computer system?

Answer:

An organization's information system as a whole contains several different subsystems, one of which is the computer system. It is a different collection of devices that are focused and placed on at least one processing unit that makes use of digital electronics. These devices are utilized to take in, process, store, and give out data and information.

Simply connecting various components of a computer is only one step in the process of building an entirely functional system. In a computer system that is both effective and efficient, the many components of the machine are chosen and structured with an awareness of the system's total performance in addition to its cost, level of complexity, and level of control.

5) Question:

What was the Y2K problem?

Answer:

Let's look at a problem that was known as the Y2K problem or the millennium bug. Many older computers only stored the last two numbers of the date. This meant that for these computers, the year 2000 would be a step back in time "00" means the year 1900 to them. That means the year 2007 would be stored as "07" and returned as 1907. Clearly, one goal is to get new systems with a very high level of reliability (dependability). It is unacceptable for the system to fail.

6) Question:

In order to build a computer subsystem, what components are necessary?

Answer:

In order to construct a computer subsystem, one needs to have understanding of how that subsystem relates to the information system and the organizations. All of the components of an information system, including the hardware devices, the software, the people, the procedures, and the organizational goals, are dependent on one another.

7) Question:

What criteria are used in selecting hardware components for a computer system subsystem?

Answer:

When choosing the components for a computer subsystem, it is important that we keep in mind not only the present but also the possible future applications of the system. The selection of a particular computer system that we go with should always leave room for further enhancements to the information system as a whole.

8) Question:

In your opinion, what characteristics does a computer have?

Answer:

Characteristics of computer are its power.

A computer's power is obtained from:

(1) Ability of processing data with excellent Speed, Reliability, and Accuracy; 

(2) Ability to Store huge amounts of data and information; and

(3) Ability to communicate with other computers.

(1.1) SPEED

Computers provide the processing speed to our fast-going society. Businesses depend on the fast processing provided by computers for everything from balancing ledgers to designing products. Computers perform various activities by executing (i.e., performing) instructions. Inside the computer's system unit, the processing occurs through electronic circuits. Data and program instructions travel through these circuits at close to the speed of light. Many computers process billions or trillions of operations in a single second.

Processing involves:

(i) Computing (Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, Dividing);

(ii) Sorting;

(iii) Organizing;

(iv) Formatting;

(v) Checking Spelling and Grammar;

(vi) Charting;

(vii) Displaying Pictures;

(viii) Recording Audio Clips;

(ix) Playing Music; and

(x) Showing a Movie; et cetera.

(1.2) RELIABILITY

The electronic components in modern computers are dependable (on which we can easily trust) because they have a low failure rate. Anything below 99.99% uptime (means the time when the computer system is in working), is usually unacceptable. Computers are thus highly reliable. For some companies, any downtime (means the time when the computer system is stopping working), is unacceptable. These companies provide back-up of computers that take over automatically when the main computers fail. This reliability enables the computer to produce consistent results.

(1.3) CONSISTENCY

Computers always do what they are programmed to do, nothing more, and nothing less. This ability to produce the consistent results gives us the confidence (trust) we need about computer, so that we allow computers to process our important information.

(1.4) ACCURACY

Computers are amazingly accurate, and their accuracy reflects excellent exactness. Errors do occur in computer-based information systems.  Most of those are program logic error, a procedural error, or erroneous data. These are human errors. Computers can process large amounts of data and generate error-free results, provided the data entered correctly.

If inaccurate data is entered, the resulting output will be incorrect. This computing principle, known as garbage in, garbage out (GIGO), points out that the accuracy of a computer's output depends on the accuracy of the input.

(2.1) STORAGE CAPABILITY

Computer systems have an almost unlimited storage capability to store huge amounts of data, which can be located and retrieved (i.e., get back) efficiently any time it is needed. The capability to store volumes of data is very important in an information/knowledge age.

(3.1) COMMUNICATIONS

Today's computers have the capability of communicating with other computers. When two or more computers are connected together via communications media and devices, they form a network. Computers within the network can share (with other computers):

(i) Stored Data;

(ii) Information;

(iii) Program;

(iv) Devices; and

(v) Processing Power.

The most widely known network is the Internet: a worldwide collection of networks that links together millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.

9) Question:

Besides its obvious benefits, what are the drawbacks of computer use?

Answer:

Some of the drawbacks of using computers include:

(1) The loss of people's privacy,

(2) The impact on the need of labor,

(3) The potential for health problems,

(4) The public safety, and

(5) The negative effect on the natural environment.

LOSS OF PEOPLE'S PRIVACY

Nearly every significant life event is documented in some form or another on a computer, including medical records, credit reports, tax records, and so on. It is of the utmost importance that private and confidential records be protected correctly. In multiple examples, individuals' right to privacy was broken, and their identities were stolen, because these documents were not properly protected as they should have been.

IMPACT ON THE NEED OF LABOR

While it is true that computers have increased productivity in a variety of ways and birthed an entire industry that has led to the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs, computers have also made useless the abilities of millions of workers and managers. Therefore, it is quite necessary for professionals to continue their education throughout their careers. A different but related effect on the labor force is that some businesses are outsourcing jobs to countries outside of their own rather than continuing to depend on the workforce in their own country.

POTENTIAL FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS

If you use a computer for too long or in the wrong way, you could end up with injuries or problems in your hands, wrists, elbows, eyes, necks, and back. Users of computers can protect themselves from these health concerns by ensuring that their workplaces are designed correctly, maintaining correct body position when using computers, and taking suitable breaks from their work. When a person becomes obsessed with using a computer, they put themselves at risk for developing a condition known as "computer addiction". Addiction to computers is a condition that can be treated after it has been identified.

PUBLIC SAFETY

People of all ages from all over the world are turning to computers in order to publish publicly their personal information, including images, movies, journals, music, and other forms of media. Some of these innocent computer users have been victimized by criminal acts carried out by unknown and potentially harmful third parties. Being cautious is the best way to defend oneself and one's dependents against the threats posed by these criminals. Do not, for instance, give any information that could lead to our being identified or located by a third party.

NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The procedures that go into making computers and the waste that they produce are both reducing natural resources and harming the environment. The number of resources needed to produce a personal computer is comparable to the amount needed to produce a small car. When computers are taken to a junkyard and thrown away, toxic materials are released into the environment, including possibly dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and flame retardants.

As a result, we need to devise plans that will assist in the preservation of the ecosystem. This involves activities such as:

(i) Recycling,

(ii) Regulating production procedures,

(iii) Extending the life of computers, and

(iv) Donating replaced computers as soon as they are available.

The majority of people in today's information age have at least a fundamental comprehension of what a computer is and what it is capable of doing.

10) Question:

Just what does a computer system consist of, exactly?

Answer:

There are six main parts to a modern computer system:

(1) The central processing unit (CPU),

(2) The primary storage,

(3) The secondary storage,

(4) The input devices,

(5) The output devices, and

(6) The communication devices.

All of them collaborate with software to process numbers, sort information, and share information with one another and other machines.

11) Question:

Can you explain what a computer is?

Answer:

A computer is an electronic device that runs under the control of instructions that are stored in its own memory. It is capable of being programmed to accept data (referred to as input), process it into useful information (referred to as output), and store it away in a secondary storage device (referred to as store) for safekeeping or for later use. The software is responsible for directing the processing of input into output, while the hardware is responsible for actually performing the processing.

12) Question:

What are the various functions that the different hardware components of the computer system perform?

Answer:

The hardware of a computer system consists of devices used for the following five tasks:

(1) Inputting data,

(2) Processing that data,

(3) Storing the data,

(4) Displaying (output) the data, and

(5) Communicating with other parts of the system.

13) Question:

To what hardware components do the following functions of a computer system belong?

(1) Input, (2) Processing, (3) Data Storage, (4) Output, and (5) Communication

Answer:

Input devices, processing devices, storage devices, output devices, and communication devices are all responsible for the listed five functions respectively.

14) Question:

What kinds of input devices are commonly used?

Answer:

Data and commands entered via input devices are translated into a format understandable by the computer and sent on to the central processing unit for processing. The most common input devices include the:

(1) Keyboard;

(2) Mouse;

(3) Joystick;

(4) Microphone;

(5) Scanner;

(6) OCR (Optical Character Recognition);

(7) MICR (Magnetic Ink Card Reader);

(8) Light Pen;

(9) Bar Code Reader;

(10) Digital Camera; and

(11) PC Camera.

15) Question:

Can you explain what a keyboard is?

Answer:

It is one of the primary input devices that is used when working with a computer. It has a very similar appearance to the keyboards of electric typewriters, but there are a few more keys here and there. It is what allows computer users to type letters, numbers, and other symbols into a computer, and it is also what enables us to write e-mail and is what we used to use to go to any website.

16) Question:

The keys on the keyboard are important, but what are they?

Answer:

The following are some important keyboard buttons:

(1) Windows Key

Between the CTRL and ALT keys on the keyboard is where you'll find the Windows key. It displays the Microsoft flag logo on its keycap. The user is able to complete routine operations with more efficiency by using the Windows key in conjunction with one or more other keys. For example, to start Windows Explorer, hit the Windows key in combination with the letter E simultaneously.

(2) Esc Key

The Esc Key is an abbreviation for "escape." Cancelling or terminating an operation can be done by pressing the Esc key, which is often found in the upper-left corner of a standard computer keyboard.

(3) F1 – F12 Keys

Keys F1 through F12 are generally referred to as function keys. These keys can have a wide variety of functions, or they may not have any function at all. Both the operating system that was installed on the computer as well as the software program that is currently running has the ability to alter the behavior of each of these keys. Additionally, we have the option of combining the function keys with either the ALT or CTRL key. Users of Microsoft Windows, for instance, can exit the program that is presently running by pressing the ALT key in conjunction with the F4 key.

The following is a brief explanation of some of the most often used functions that are associated with the function keys. As was said above, not all programs support function keys, and the ones that do may carry out duties that are different from those listed below.

(3.1) F1 Key

The F1 key serves as the help key almost all of the time. When you press this key, almost every program will bring up a help screen for you to consult. Pressing the Windows key and the F1 key together will launch the support and assistance center for Microsoft Windows.

(3.2) F2 Key

When you press the F2 key in Windows, a file or folder can have its name changed. In Microsoft Word, pressing Alt + Ctrl + F2 will open the document window. In Microsoft Word, pressing Ctrl and F2 will bring up the print preview window.

(3.3) F3 Key

When you are at the Windows Desktop, using the F3 key will typically open a search feature for a variety of programs, including Microsoft Windows. By pressing Shift and F3, you may have the text in Microsoft Word go from all capital letters to all lowercase letters or add a capital letter at the beginning of each word. Microsoft Outlook's Advanced Find Window can be accessed by pressing Windows Key + F3.

(3.4) F4 Key

In Windows 95 to XP, pressing the F4 key will open the Find Window. Additionally, both Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer will open with the address bar currently visible. Pressing Alt and F4 together will shut the window for the program that is currently active in Microsoft Windows. In Microsoft Windows, pressing Ctrl and F4 together will close the open window that is located within the active window.

(3.5) F5 Key

When you click the F5 key, the page or document window will be reloaded or refreshed depending on the current Internet browser you are using. In addition to that, it will open the window for Find, Replace, and Go to in Microsoft Word. PowerPoint will open with a slideshow automatically playing.

(3.6) F6 Key

In Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and the vast majority of other internet browsers, pressing the F6 key will shift the cursor to the address bar.

(3.7) F7 Key

In Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and others, the F7 key is frequently pressed to perform a spelling check as well as a grammatical check on a document.

(3.8) F8 Key

To access the Windows setup menu, press the F8 key on your keyboard.

(3.9) F9 Key

When working in Microsoft Word, pressing the F9 key will cause the document to be refreshed. Additionally, it can be used with Microsoft Outlook to send and receive e-mail messages.

(3.10) F10 Key

In Microsoft Windows, pressing the F10 key will bring up the menu bar of any application that is currently open.

(3.11) F11 Key

In all modern web browsers, pressing the F11 key allows users to access and leave the full-screen mode.

(3.12) F12 Key

In Microsoft Word, clicking on it will open the Save As window for you. Word may be opened to a new document by pressing Ctrl and F12. Using Shift + F12 to save the document in Microsoft Word is similar to using Ctrl + S. To print a document in Microsoft Word, press Ctrl, Shift, and F12 simultaneously.

(4) Tab

A tab is an indentation at the beginning of a line of text that is used to signify a new paragraph in a document or to help produce equal spacing between many lines. Its width is typically around five spaces, and it typically helps generate equal spacing between numerous lines.

(5) Caps Lock

Caps Lock is a key on a computer keyboard that, when depressed, allows all the letters to be typed in uppercase or, when released, returns the keyboard to its normal configuration. When the caps lock key is turned on, the keyboard types ‘MANISH’, and when it is turned off, the keyboard types ‘manish’.

(6) Shift

A single uppercase letter can be typed with the press of this key, which is located on the keyboard. For instance, to produce a capital A, you would need to press and hold the shift key while simultaneously pressing the letter "a" key.

(7) Ctrl

It is an abbreviation for the word ‘control’. On most computer keyboards, the key labelled "Ctrl" can be found either the bottom-left or bottom-right corner of the main keyboard. To open the task manager or to restart the computer, press and hold the CTRL, ALT, and DEL keys simultaneously.

(8) Alt

It is shorthand for the word ‘Alternate’. The word ‘Alt’ is a modifier key that may be found on computer keyboards to the left and right of the spacebar key. Additionally, it can be used to refer to a key combination such as the Ctrl+Alt+Del combination. To restart the computer or bring up the task management window, you need to press and hold the CTRL, ALT, and DEL keys on the keyboard all at the same time using this combination. Here is a list of several other popular ‘Alt’ shortcut keys that can be utilized on a Windows computer.

(i) When you press the Alt and F keys simultaneously, the program you have open will bring up its File menu.

(ii) When you press Alt and F4 simultaneously, the program that was previously open will be closed.

(iii) Alt plus spacebar will launch the Window menu for the application that is presently active.

(9) The Arrow Keys

The term "cursor keys" is another name for this set of keys. On computer keyboards, the arrow keys are the keys that are situated to the right of the numeric pad, between the conventional keyboard and the number pad. These four keys are the left arrow (also known as the back arrow), the up arrow (also known as the forward arrow), the down arrow, and the right arrow (forward arrow).

(10) Backspace Key:

The backspace key is a key on the keyboard that may be used to remove any character that was entered prior to the current position of the cursor.

(11) Print Screen Key

‘PRTSC’ or “Prt Scr” is how it is abbreviated when written out. There is a key on the keyboard known as the print screen key that may be found on virtually all computer keyboards. When the button is hit, the key either copies the current image on the screen to the computer's clipboard or sends it to the computer's printer, depending on the type of operating system or software application that is now running.

(12) Scroll Lock Key

It is situated in near to the pause key on the keyboard. You can put a temporary stop to the scrolling of text or the functioning of a program by pressing the "scroll lock" key on your keyboard. There aren't that many software applications available these days that can make use of this key or take advantage of it.

(13) Delete Key

When referring to the process of erasing a file, text, or other object from the hard drive of a computer or other media, the terms delete and remove are generally used interchangeably. On Microsoft Windows, files that have been removed are moved to the Recycling Bin; within other operating systems, this folder may be referred to as the Trash. When files are deleted from most systems, including Windows, the files are just tagged as destroyed and continue to exist on the hard drive until they are overwritten by new data. This is the case even after the files have been erased.

(14) Enter Key

In some instances, it is also known as a “return key”. When talking about a keyboard, the ‘enter’ key is the one that is used to move the cursor to the next line, as well as the one that is utilized to carry out a command or an action. One on the actual keyboard, and another on the numeric keypad, serves as an additional ‘enter’ or ‘return’ key on many keyboards. This is standard practice.

(15) Pause Key

The “break key” and the “pause key” are typically co-located in the top right of most keyboards. Users are able to temporarily halt the actions of the application that is being executed as well as the scrolling of text by pressing the pause key. For example, the ‘Pause’ button on a computer game can be used to temporarily halt the game while the player walks away.

(16) Break Key

This key, which is positioned on the same key as the “pause key”, allows a user to break the computer out of a pause or other halt condition. It is located on the same key as the “pause key”. You can utilize the break by either pressing the “break key” on its own or by using the CTRL key in conjunction with the “break key”. For instance, you can stop the computer from booting by pressing the “pause key”, and then pressing it again will allow you to exit the pause and continue.

(17) Home Key

The home key is typically located on the top row of the keyboard, directly above the “end key”. This key can be used to take the user back to the beginning of the current line or to the beginning of the current document.

(18) Num Lock Key

It is a shortened form of the phrases “numeric lock” and “number lock”. The numeric keypad can be enabled or disabled by pressing the “Num Lock” key, which can be found in the upper left-hand corner of the numeric keypad on the keyboard. When the “Num Lock” is turned ON, we are able to use the keypad's numbers. Changing the “Num Lock” OFF, on the other hand, enables the keys to perform their various tasks, such as turning the keypad into an arrow pad.

17) Question:

Do you know any common keyboard shortcuts for a personal computer?

Answer:

The following table provides some common keyboard shortcuts for use with personal computers.

(1) Alt + F: File menu options in current program.

(2) Alt + E: Edit options in current program

(3) Alt + Tab: Switch between open programs

(4) F1: Universal Help in almost every Windows program.

(5) F2: Rename a selected file

(6) F5: Refresh the current program window

(7) Ctrl + N: Create a new, blank document in some software programs

(8) Ctrl + O: Open a file in current software program

(9) Ctrl + A: Select all text.

(10) Ctrl + B: Change selected text to be Bold

(11) Ctrl + I: Change selected text to be in Italics

(12) Ctrl + U: Change selected text to be Underlined

(13) Ctrl + F: Open find window for current document or window.

(14) Ctrl + S: Save current document file.

(15) Ctrl + X: Cut selected item.

(16) Shift + Del: Cut selected item.

(17) Ctrl + C: Copy selected item.

(18) Ctrl + Ins: Copy selected item

(19) Ctrl + V: Paste

(20) Shift + Ins: Paste

(21) Ctrl + K: Insert hyperlink for selected text

(22) Ctrl + P: Print the current page or document.

(23) Home: Goes to beginning of current line.

(24) Ctrl + Home: Goes to beginning of document.

(25) End: Goes to end of current line.

(26) Ctrl + End: Goes to end of document.

(27) Shift + Home: Highlights from current position to beginning of line.

(28) Shift + End: Highlights from current position to end of line.

(29) Ctrl + Left arrow: Moves one word to the left at a time.

(30) Ctrl + Right arrow: Moves one word to the right at a time.

(31) Ctrl + Esc: Opens the START menu

(32) Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Opens Windows Task Manager

(33) Alt + F4: Close the currently active program

(34) Alt + Enter: Open the Properties for the selected item (file, folder, shortcut, et cetera)

18) Question:

Just what is a mouse?

Answer:

Douglas Engelbart is credited with the invention of the hardware input device known as the ‘mouse’. A person can exercise control over a pointer and modify items displayed on the screen by using a mouse. These on-screen object include icons, files, and folders. It is not necessary for the user to commit commands, such as those used in MS-DOS, to memory while using a mouse. For instance, with MS-DOS, a user would need to be familiar with both the CD command and the DIR command in order to navigate to a folder and read the files contained within it. On the other hand, on Windows, all the user needs to do to view all of the files in a folder is double-click on it using the mouse. The following is a list of different kinds of mice:

(1) Cordless (Wireless),

(2) Foot Mouse,

(3) Wheel Mouse,

(4) J Mouse,

(5) Joystick,

(6) Mechanical,

(7) Optical,

(8) Touchpad,

(9) Trackball, and

(10) Track Point

are the ten different types of mice.

19) Question:

Joystick...what is it?

Answer:

An input device that has the appearance of a control gadget, that might be found on a gallery of video games. An individual can control the movement of an object in a game using a joystick

20) Question:

So, explain to me the function of a microphone.

Answer:

Emile Berliner comes up with the idea for a microphone, which subsequently enables computer users to input audio into their machines. The majority of microphones utilize the MIC port in order to connect to the computer. The following is a list of some of the many potential applications that a microphone on a computer could be used for:

(1) Voice Recognition,

(2) Computer Gaming,

(3) Online Chatting,

(4) Recording Voice for Dictation and Singing, and

(5) Recording Musical Instruments

are the five categories that are included in this category.

21) Question:

Scanner... what is it?

Answer:

With the help of an optical scanner, a user can scan a picture or text into a digital file, which the computer can then use to read or display the scanned object.

22) Question:

Can you explain what an optical character reader is?

Answer:

Optical character recognition (OCR) is the method through which hand-written or typed text is digitized and processed by a computer. Organizations and libraries often use optical character recognition to digitize physical copies of books, magazines, and other archival printed materials.

23) Question:

So, tell me, what exactly is a magnetic ink card reader?

Answer:

Due to the high volume of CHEQUES that need to be processed each and every day, MICR input devices are typically utilized in banks. The code number of the bank as well as the CHEQUE number are printed on the CHEQUES using a specialized type of ink that contains particles of magnetic material that are readable by machines. The method of reading that is being used here is called Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR). The primary benefits of using MICR are its speed and lower chance of producing errors.

24) Question:

Simply put, what is a light pen?

Answer:

It is usual practice to use a “light pen”, or “light-sensitive pointing device”, to highlight and edit on-screen text and data. A presentation pointing device that uses light is sometimes referred to as a "light pen".

25) Question:

In plenty of words, explain the bar code reader.

Answer:

Barcodes are scanned to get pricing or product information quickly and efficiently. Hardware called a barcode reader/scanner, often called a point-of-sale (POS) scanner, is used to scan a barcode and enter the product's information into a computer system. A supermarket's barcode scanner, which instantly displays the item's price, is an excellent example of a barcode reader.

26) Question:

In your own words, please explain what a digital camera is.

Answer:

In contrast to traditional cameras, which use film to record images, digital cameras use electronic memory to keep your photos and videos. The term ‘webcam’ is commonly used to refer to a digital camera that is to our computer but has no local storage.

27) Question:

A camera inserted into a personal computer?

Answer:

That's a digital camera, and it can be used to upload photographs from your computer anywhere in the world. Depending on the processing power of the computer and the preferences of the user, webcams can take and send pictures. Taking pictures with this camera is just like taking pictures with any other digital camera. The key difference is that the image is sent directly to a computer system after being collected. The data is subsequently uploaded to the internet using the computer's webcam software. There are four main applications for webcams:

(1) Video conferencing;

(2) Traffic monitoring;

(3) Promoting tourist destinations; and

(4) Promoting businesses.

28) Question:

What types of output devices are most common?

Answer:

The information or data that has been processed is then shown on an output device so that humans can make use of it. The printer, plotter, monitor, speakers, and portable media player are all examples of output devices.

29) Question:

An explanation of the printer is needed.

Answer:

In order to create a physical copy of digital information, a computer sends its output to a printer, which is an external hardware device. It's normal practice to print out documents, pictures, and other media from a computer, making printers an useful and convenient device. The various types of computer printers are listed here. These days, inkjet and laser printers are the essential parts of the office.

Here are seven types of printers:

(1) All-in-One (AIO);

(2) Dot Matrix;

(3) Inkjet;

(4) Laser;

(5) Multi-function (MFP);

(6) Thermal; and

(7) LED.

30) Question:

Exactly what does the term ‘plotter’ refer to?

Answer:

Plotters are computer hardware devices that, like printers, allow users to create designs by hand using a pen, pencil, marker, or other writing implement.

31) Question:

Exactly what does ‘monitor’ mean?

Answer:

The term ‘monitor’ can also refer to a "video display terminal (VDT)” or a "video display unit (VDU)”. A video display screen is referred to as a monitor. It is solely used to describe products that do not include any electrical components other than those that are strictly necessary for the display of an image and the adjustment of its qualities.

32) Question:

Just what is the definition of speaker?

Answer:

A speaker is a piece of hardware connected to a computer that plays audio played by the computer.

33) Question:

An explanation of the term "portable media player" would be appreciated.

Answer:

The acronym PMP refers to "personal media player", which covers a wide range of portable electronics that can play digital audio and video. MP4 players are shorthand for "portable media player", which describes its multimedia capabilities.

34) Question:

Which processing devices are commonly used?

Answer:

The system unit contains the computer's electronic circuitry, known as processing devices. The system unit's circuitry is located on a circuit board known as the motherboard. The processor and the memory are the two main parts of the motherboard.

The processor, also called a central processing unit (CPU), is a collection of electronic circuitry that processes data inputs to produce results that are useful to the user. The CPU is the part of a computer that does the actual work of executing programs and instructions. Data and software instructions are temporarily stored in memory while they are being processed by the central processing unit. Chips serve as both the brains and the memory of a computer. A chip is a small electronic component with many tiny wires for transferring electricity.

35) Question:

Which storage devices are most commonly utilized?

Answer:

When people talk about storage, they usually imply external devices that can be used to back up files and software. Infinite data, information, and programs are stored in storage devices. These devices have additional memory (also known as primary storage) and can temporarily store data and programs. The most common types of data storage devices include hard drives, USB flash drives, compact discs, Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and memory cards. A drive is a device used to access and modify data stored on a disc or other medium. One definition of a storage device is any physical material used to physically store data, information, or computer code. Memory cards are a form of storage devices used by some portable devices, most commonly digital cameras.

36) Question:

Can you explain what a hard disc is?

Answer:

It's also possible to refer to a hard-disc as a hard disc drive (HDD) or just a drive. The hard drive is the primary storage media device of a computer, and it keeps all of the user's information in a permanent format.

37) Question:

USB flash drive describes what?

Answer:

USB flash drive is also known as a data stick, pen drive, keychain drive, and thumb drive. These days, you can get flash drives in a wide range of storage capacities, from 256 megabytes (MB) to 512 megabytes (MB), 1 gigabyte (GB), 5 gigabytes (GB), and 16 gigabytes (GB), et cetera.

38) Question:

CD-ROM: what is it?

Answer:

Compact Disc-Read Only Memory is what the abbreviation stands for CD-ROM drives, also known as optical drives, are CD players that are placed inside of computers. These drives, which can have speeds ranging from 1x and beyond, are able to play audio CDs in addition to computer data CDs.

39) Question:

What is the BLU RAY?

Answer:

Blu-ray is a type of optical disc that has the capacity to store up to 25 gigabytes on a single-layer disc and up to 50 gigabytes on a dual-layer disc, with each disc having the same size as a standard CD.

40) Question:

When questioned, "What is DVD"?

Answer:

The abbreviation ‘DVD’ stands for "Digital Video Disc" or "Digital Versatile Disc". A digital versatile disc, often known as a DVD or DVD-ROM, can hold much more information than a standard compact disc despite it having the same physical dimensions. The majority of people use them today to store and watch movies as well as other types of data. The user of a computer needs both a DVD drive and a DVD player—a software application—in order to play a DVD on that computer. A DVD player is a software program that is designed to play and operate a DVD disc.

41) Question:

Just what is a “memory card”, anyway?

Answer:

A memory card is sometimes known as a flash memory card. Memory cards are a type of storage device used in a wide range of electronic devices, including digital cameras, camcorders, portable media players, personal digital assistants, cellular phones, game consoles, and printers, to name a few. Memory cards come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and capacities, and work with a wide range of devices. Below is a list of the most popular memory cards currently available.

(1) Compact Flash (CF);

(2) Micro SD;

(3) Multi Media Card (MMC);

(4) Secure Digital (SD) Card;

(5) SD High Capacity (SDHC) Card;

(6) Smart Media Card;

(7) Sony Memory Stick; and

(8) eXtreme Digital (xD/xD) Picture Card.

42) Question:

What kinds of common communication devices are there?

Answer:

Users of a computer are able to speak with other computer users, as well as exchange data, information and programs with those using other computers, thanks to communications devices, which provide links between the computer and communications networks. These materials are transmitted by communications devices across various transmission channels such as: (1) Cables; (2) Telephone Lines; (3) Satellites; and (4) Cellular Radio.

A modem is a type of communications device that sees widespread use.

Input/output devices are the means by which humans and computers exchange information. Input devices are responsible for converting our data and conversations into a format that can be understood by the computer. After these data have been processed by the computer, an output device will convert them back into a form that we are able to comprehend. The data is manipulated by the central processing unit, which also exercises control over the various other components of the computer system. Memory, also known as primary storage, is used to temporarily store data and instructions for a program while it is being processed, whilst secondary storage is used to feed data and instructions into the central processor as well as store data for later use.

43) Question:

Explain the meaning of the binary system.

Answer:

It is essential to have an understanding of how data is represented within a computer in order to have a complete understanding of how a computer processes data. Words are put together in sentences in order for people to communicate through speech. A person or thing that is viewed as comparable to another is said to be analogue. This is due to the fact that human speech utilizes continuous (wave form) impulses that vary in strength and quality.

Most computers are digital. However, despite the widespread belief that computers are complex systems, the reality is that these devices essentially only know two different states: ON and OFF. Computers are electrical devices powered by electricity, and electronic devices can only be in one of two states: either ON or OFF.

A binary system is a system that only has two possible states. You may simply represent these two states by using just two digits: the number 0 is used to represent the electronic state of OFF, which indicates that there is no electronic charge present, and the number 1 is used to represent the electronic state of ON (presence of an electronic change). Words, symbols, photos, videos, and sounds must all be reduced to a string of binary digits before they can be processed by a computer. This is necessary for data to be able to flow through a computer system and be in a form that can be used.

44) Question:

Define digitalization.

Answer:

Digitization refers to the process of transforming information from one format into binary digits.

45) Question:

Defining bit and byte: what are they?

Answer:

A bit can either be a 0 or a 1 (short for binary digit). In a computer system, the smallest unit of data that can be stored is called a bit. A bit, by itself, does not provide a lot of useful information. A byte is the name given to the unit that is formed when eight bits are put together in one place. A byte is useful because it contains enough distinct combinations of 0s and 1s to represent 256 separate characters. These characters include numerals, uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, punctuation marks, and various additional characters such as the letters of the Greek alphabet.

46) Question:

For those who are unfamiliar, please explain the concept of a “coding scheme”.

Answer:

Coding Schemes are the rules that computers follow in order to transform data into their native language and express it using digits such as binary. Because computers are unable to understand human-readable characters like letters, numbers, and alphabets, it is necessary for computers to convert human-readable data into a format that can be read by machines. Coding Schemes are used in the area of information technology for the purpose of converting data into a format that is readable by machines. The ability of computers to store or process information would be impossible if they did not use some kind of coding scheme.

Coding Schemes are essential for a number of reasons, including the following:

(1) In order to carry out the Encoding process, Coding Schemes are required. This process involves the transformation of data from a format that is readable by humans to one that can be understood by machines, such as the Binary Language, which consists of the digits 0 and 1. Computers would be unable to store, process, or execute data if they did not have a Coding Scheme to convert it into another form.

(2) Coding Schemes are essential in order to provide maximum performance across a variety of machines. For instance, high-level performance computers such as mainframes use a different coding scheme than microcomputers do. One example of this is EBCDIC, which is an acronym that stands for Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. Microcomputers use ASCII. Accordingly, we are able to state that a Coding Scheme is implemented with regard to the performance size and capacity of a Computer system.

47) Question:

In computer science, what kinds of coding schemes are commonly used?

Answer:

First, there is the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), then there's EBCDIC, and finally there's UNICODE.

48) Question:

What actually are ASCII coding scheme?

Answer:

ASCII is an acronym that stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It was developed by the American National Standards Institute in order to provide a standard code that could be used by a wide range of computer manufacturers in order to make their products compatible with one another.

The initial version of ASCII was developed as a 7-bit code; however, the extended ASCII that is used on most computers is an 8-bit format. The ASCII code is the coding system that is utilized on a wider variety of computers than any other.

49) Question:

Can you explain what EBCDIC coding scheme is?

Answer:

This is the coding scheme. EBCDIC is an acronym that stands for Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. It was developed by IBM in the 1950s and uses 8 bits to represent characters.

EBCDIC is used by IBM and other mainframe computers, whereas ASCII is used in personal computers, some bigger computers, and data transfer.

50) Question:

So, what exactly are UNICODE coding scheme?

Answer:

Because of the more complicated nature of languages, an additional coding system known as Unicode was established. When compared to ASCII, Unicode's bit limit is twice as high. Using 16 bits for each character allows for the expression of 65,536 (216) characters, which is sufficient to cover the all of the world's current language in addition to classic and historical languages.

Even after such a significant amount of time has passed, there is still a chance that the international computing community may agree to use Unicode as the standard for the interchange of information.

51) Question:

How do we interact with computers?

Answer:

Humans are able to interact with a digital computer that only recognizes bits because coding schemes such as ASCII make it possible for them to do so. When we type something into a computer by pressing keys on a keyboard, the resulting electronic signals are transformed into a form that the computer can understand and are then stored in the memory. After that, the data is processed by the computer in terms of bytes, which are actually a series of on/off electrical states. After the processing has been completed, the bytes are transformed back into the characters so that they can be seen on a screen or printed out. The actual actions to take are as follows:

Step1: Let's say the user, who could be a Student or anyone else, presses the letter T on the keyboard;

Step2: The system unit receives an electronic signal representing the letter T;

Step3: It involves converting the signal for the letter T into its ASCII binary code, which is 01010100, and storing it in memory so that it can be processed later;

Step4: It involves converting the binary code for the letter T into an image so that it can be displayed on the output device after the processing step has been completed.

52) Question:

What does a computer's system unit refer to?

Answer:

The system unit is a case that looks like a box and is used to hold the computer's CPU, memory, and any other electronic components that are necessary for the processing of data. The system unit is connected in some way, either directly or indirectly, to all of the other components of the computer system, such as the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse.

The system unit of a typical personal computer contains a number of components, some of which are as follows: (1) the processor (2) the memory (3) the expansion cards (4) the drive bays (5) the power supply (6) the ports and (7) the connectors.

The processor is the device that is responsible for carrying out the instructions contained within a program. The memory device is a container that stores data and program instructions in a temporary state while the processing is taking place. An expansion card is a circuit board that may be added to a computer in order to give it access to additional devices or capabilities. In the end, components that are located outside of the system unit, such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, or microphone, are connected to the system unit by means of a cable that is inserted into one of its ports or connectors.

53) Question:

Computers: what is the computer's motherboard?

Answer:

After removing the cover of a “system unit”, the ‘motherboard’ which is also referred to as the “system board”, may be seen inside the body of the device. The CPU is able to connect with memory components, other components, and external devices thanks to the motherboard, which is a single circuit board. This board also offers the path by which the processor communicates with other components. The following are examples of components that are usually attached to the motherboard of a personal computer: (1) the processor, (2) memory chips, (3) electronic circuitry that provides support, and (4) expansion boards.

The component of the motherboard that is most essential to its functionality is the CPU.

54) Question:

When talking about computers, what do you mean by ‘chip’ and ‘bus’?

Answer:

A computer chip is a very small piece of semiconducting material, usually silicon, on which one or more integrated circuits have been manufactured (marked). The different chips all have pin connectors of a standard size, which enables them to be attached to the motherboard and, from there, to a common electrical path known as a bus. This facilitates the transfer of data between the various components of the system.

55) Question:

Can you explain the meaning of a computer's integrated circuit?

Answer:

An integrated circuit, sometimes known as an IC, is a type of electronic circuit that has many smaller paths that are capable of transporting electrical current. Each integrated circuit has the potential to store millions of individual components, including transistors, resistors, and capacitors.

56) Question:

To explain the computer’s transistor, please!

Answer:

Transistors are essentially electronic switches that determine whether or not a current is allowed to flow through them. If there is current flowing through it, the switch will be ON, which will represent the 1 bit. If there is no current flowing through the switch, then it is in the OFF position, which is equivalent to a 0 bit. Therefore, combinations of transistors can stand in for combinations of bits, which represent a variety of characters including numbers, letters, and other symbols.

57) Question:

The computer's microprocessor is.....?

Answer:

The motherboard of the system unit includes a large variety of chips in their various forms. If a mini central processing unit is able to be printed (marked) on a chip, we can refer to that chip as a "computer on a chip". A microprocessor is a central processing unit that is contained on a chip.

The central processing unit (also known as the CPU) is typically contained on a single chip in a personal computer. The central processing unit (CPU) of larger computers, such as mainframes and supercomputers, is comprised of a number of separate chips that each performs a specific function.

58) Question:

To explain, what is a Pentium microprocessor in a computer?

Answer:

The widely used Pentium microprocessor of today has more than one hundred million transistors inside of it.

The speed and capacity of the computer are determined by the type of processor installed on the motherboard as well as the amount of RAM that is installed there.

59) Question:

Which companies make computer microprocessors?

Answer:

The manufacturer of the personal computer does not generally produce the central processing unit (CPU). It is developed and manufactured by companies that have specialized in the development and manufacturing of microprocessors. Microprocessors are manufactured by many different companies, some of which are listed below: (1) Intel; (2) IBM; (3) Motorola; (4) Advanced Micro Devices (AMD); and (5) Cyrix.

60) Question:

Just what does "central processing unit" mean in the context of a computer?

Answer:

The central processing unit (CPU), which is also referred to as the processor, is responsible for understanding and carrying out the fundamental instructions necessary for the operation of a computer. The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for the majority of a computer's functions and has a major impact on the computing power of the system as a whole.

The various tasks that are carried out by the processor on larger computers, such as mainframes and supercomputers, are spread across a large number of individual chips and, more often than not, a number of different circuit boards. Almost always, a personal computer's processor will consist of a single chip that contains all of its component parts. Multi-core processors are now offered by the majority of computer chip manufacturers.

61) Question:

So, let's get this directly: what exactly is a multi-core processor?

Answer:

A single chip that contains two or more independent processors is known as a multi-core processor. Dual-Core and Quad-Core are examples of popular types of multicore processors used in modern computers.

A chip that contains two independent processors is referred to as a dual-core processor. A chip with a quad-core processor, on the other hand, actually contains four independent processors.

Although the clock speed of each individual processor on a multi-core chip is typically lower than that of a single-core processor, multi-core chips typically have higher overall performance than single-core chips.

A dual-core processor, for example, can approach the processing speeds of a single-core processor, despite the fact that it does not double the processing speed of the single-core processor. The performance boost is especially noticeable when users are simultaneously operating multiple programs, such as antivirus software, an e-mail program, instant messaging software, media players, and software for editing photos.

Additionally, multi-core processors are more energy efficient than single-core processors because they require lower levels of power consumption and discharge (release) less heat within the system unit.

62) Question:

Exactly what makes up a processor, exactly?

Answer:

The Control Unit and the Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) are the only two main components that make up a processor, besides the complexity of the processor as a whole. These components are responsible for carrying out the processing activities in conjunction with one another.

63) Question:

Yet again, we should ask: what is a control unit?

Answer:

The control unit is a part of the processor that is responsible for directing and coordinating the majority of the tasks carried out by the computer. It uncovers each instruction that is delivered by the program, and once it does, it immediately begins the procedure that is necessary to carry out the command.

64) Question:

Describe the steps that the control unit goes through.

Answer:

The control unit will go through a set of four fundamental procedures for each and every command, which are as follows:

Step1: The first step is to get (fetch) the instruction.

The control unit accesses the memory in order to find the instruction that needs to be carried out (executed).

Step2: The next step is to analyze (decode) the instruction.

The instruction is then analyzed by the computer as a series of commands. Data that is important and applicable is transferred from memory to the register, and the location of the next instruction is determined at the same time.

Step3: Carrying out the instruction (or fulfilling the instruction).

The commands have been put into effect. In order to achieve this goal, the ALU may need to perform either an arithmetic computation or a logical comparison.

Step4: It will include storing the results.

The results are saved in the registers or memory depending on the system.

65) Question:

Machine cycle, what does it actually mean?

Answer:

The phases (steps) known as "Fetching the instruction" and "Decoding the instruction" are together referred to as "the instruction phase", and the amount of time required to complete this phase is referred to as "the instruction time (I-time)”. "Storing the results" and "Fulfilling the instruction" are both examples of what's referred to as the "execution phase". The amount of time required to finish the execution phase is referred to as “the execution time (E-time)”. The cycle of the machine is made up of these four stages taken together.

I-time and E-time are both parts of what is referred to as “machine cycle time”. The cycle time of a machine can be measured in fractions of a second, such as in microseconds (one millionth of one second) for slower computers and in nanoseconds (one billionth of one second) and picoseconds (one trillionth of one second) for faster computers.

66) Question:

Please explain what we mean by ‘MIPS’.

Answer:

A machine's cycle time can also be defined in terms of the number of instructions that are carried out in a single second. MIPS are the unit of measurement for this speed, and it stands for “million instructions per second”. However, due to the fact that different instructions require varying amounts of processing time, there is currently no actual standard for calculating MIPS. Additionally, MIPS only refer to the speed of the central processing unit, whereas applications are typically governed by other criteria such as the speed at which they can input and produce data.

67) Question:

What steps form the machine cycle?

Answer:

Suppose that a student enters a math problem into the storage space available on the computer. The following is a list of the stages that make up the machine cycle:

Step1: In the first step of the process, the control unit gets the command and data for the mathematical problem from memory.

Step2: It involves the control unit decoding the instructions for the mathematical problem and then sending those instructions along with the data to the ALU.

Step3: Calculations are carried out on the data by the ALU in the third step.

Step4: The answers to the mathematical questions are then written down and kept in the memory.

On the screen of the monitor, the findings that are currently stored in memory can be seen.

68) Question:

Just what is ALU stand for?

Answer:

Another component of the central processing unit (CPU), known as the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), is responsible for carrying out the step of execution during a machine cycle. In particular, the ALU is responsible for carrying out the following operations:

(1) Arithmetic operations;

(2) Comparison operations; and

(3) Logical operations.

The following are the four fundamental arithmetic operations:

(1) addition, (2) subtraction, (3) multiplication, and (4) division.

Calculating the amount deducted from payroll and the balance shown on a bank statement are both examples of arithmetic procedures.

When doing comparison operations, one data item is compared to another data item in order to establish if the first data item is larger than, equal to, or less than the other one.

Various courses of action might be taken after the comparison, depending on the outcome of the test. For instance, at the conclusion of each day, a comparison is made in an inventory system between each item that is currently in stock and a re-order point. If the quantity of items in stock drops below the reorder point, a set of program instructions that generates a purchase order is triggered into action and carried out.

Conditions and logical operators such as AND, OR, and NOT are required for logical operations to function properly. For instance, if we wanted to search a student database for seniors in the school, we would look for any students who were both categorized as seniors and listed under the school heading in our search.

On certain computers, the central processing unit (CPU) can only carry out one instruction at a time. In other words, before beginning work on the next instruction, the central processing unit (CPU) waits until an instruction has finished all four steps of the machine cycle.

69) Question:

What is the meaning of the term ‘pipelining’?

Answer:

A concept known as pipelining is supported by the majority of personal computers available on the market today. Because of pipeline, the central processing unit (CPU) begins the process of fetching (i.e., beginning work on) a second instruction before the first instruction is entirely finished. Pipelining allows for significantly more efficient data processing by relieving the central processing unit (CPU) of the burden of waiting for an instruction to finish its associated machine cycle before moving on to the next. Consider a pipeline to be similar to an assembly line. It is possible that three more instructions will have been fetched and begun through the machine cycle by the time that the first instruction has reached the final stage of the machine cycle. The vast majority of processors used in personal computers have the ability to pipeline up to four instructions.

Machine Cycle without Pipeline:

Fetch Instruction-1

Decode Instruction-1

Execute Instruction-1

Store Instruction-1

Fetch Instruction-2

Decode Instruction-2

Execute Instruction-2

Store Instruction-2

And so on…

Machine Cycle with Pipeline:

Fetch Instruction-1

Decode Instruction-1

Execute Instruction-1

Store Instruction-1

Simultaneously Fetch Instruction-2

Simultaneously Decode Instruction-2

Simultaneously Execute Instruction-2

Store Instruction-2

Simultaneously Fetch Instruction-3

Simultaneously Decode Instruction-3

Execute Instruction-3

Store Instruction-3

Simultaneously Fetch Instruction-4

Decode Instruction-3

Execute Instruction-3

Store Instruction-3

70) Question:

Just what does it mean when we talk about a ‘register’?

Answer:

The central processing unit (CPU) has high-speed working storage sections that are referred to as registers. These registers temporarily store data and commands. Registers are a component of the CPU, not memory or any other type of device that may permanently store data. They (registers) are additional storage places that provide the benefit of increased speed. Registers come in a wide variety of types, and each one serves a specialized purpose within the context of a microprocessor. The following are some examples of these functions:

(1) Storing the location from where an instruction was fetched;

(2) Storing an instruction while it is being decoded;

(3) Storing data while the ALU processes it; and

(4) Storing the results of a calculation.

The control unit directs the job that the registers do, which includes (1) accepting, (2) holding, and (3) transferring instructions or data, as well as performing mathematical and logical comparisons at a fast rate of speed.

71) Question:

Please explain the different kinds of registers.

Answer:

Typically, computers will assign particular responsibilities to various registers, including the following:

(1) Instruction Register: This register stores the instruction that is currently being carried out;

(2) Address Register: This register maintains a record of the location in memory at which a certain piece of data or instruction is stored;

(3) Storage Register: This register maintains data that has been read from memory or is in the process of being written to memory;

(4) The Accumulator: This device collects the results of computations;

(5) The General-Purpose Register: This register is put to use for a variety of purposes, including performing arithmetic operations.

72) Question:

Examine the storage-related differences between a register, memory, and secondary storage.

Answer:

Registers are storage locations for data that is directly applicable to the process that is being carried out.

The data that will be utilized in the near future is stored in memory for later usage.

Secondary storage is used to keep data that may be required later in the process of the same program execution or maybe at some point in the more long term future.

73) Question:

If we say "system clock," what do we mean?

Answer:

The system clock is a small quartz crystal circuit that the processor depends on in order to function properly. The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for controlling the time of all computer processes using a small chip known as the system clock. The system clock is responsible for producing electronic pulses or ticks at a predetermined rate. These ticks are what determine the operating speed of the many components that make up the system unit. A machine's cycle time is affected by each tick, which is referred to as a clock cycle.

In the past, processors would use one or more clock cycles to carry out the instructions that were being given to them. The majority of modern processors are superscalar, which indicates that they are able to carry out more than one instruction at each tick of the clock. The faster the clock, the more instructions the central processing unit (CPU) can carry out in a given period of time.

Clock speed refers to the rate at which a processor can carry out the instructions it has been given. The number of ticks that occur in one second is used to measure the speed of a clock.

One cycle, or tick, every second is equal to one hertz. One million ticks of the system clock occur in one single second, which is equal to one megahertz, or MHz. The number one billion ticks of the system clock are equal to one gigahertz (GHz). The rate at which the system clock runs varies from processor to processor. The processors used in today's personal computers have clock rates that are in the gigahertz range.

The rate at which a central processing unit (CPU) handles data is commonly used as an indicator of its overall performance. The clock on the system is a fundamental contributor to the overall speed of the computer. A central processing unit (CPU) with a higher clock speed may carry out a greater number of instructions in the same amount of time as an identical CPU operating at a lower clock speed.

The number of millions of instructions per second, or MIPS, that a processor is capable of processing is one way that some experts in the industry estimate the speed of a CPU. However, there is no actual standard for measuring MIPS because different instructions need varying amounts of processing time. This is why there is no standard.

Only the central processing unit (CPU) is affected by the clock speed; other components, such as the printer and the disc drive, are unaffected. There is no one-to-one relationship between clock speed, which is measured in gigahertz, and processing speed, which is measured in MIPS, due to the fact that the amount of time required carrying out a program written instruction might change.

The clock on the system does not maintain an accurate record of the current data and time. A computer's data and time are both kept track of by a different chip that is powered by a battery and is referred to as the real-time clock. Even when the computer is turned off, the real-time clock is still being kept accurate by the battery.

74) Question:

Give a list of desktop PC processors and compare them.

Answer:

In most cases, a microprocessor can be identified by either its model name or its model number. Intel, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), International Business Machines (IBM), and Motorola are the top four companies that make CPU chips for personal computers.

Processors for personal computers are mostly manufactured by Intel, which is the industry leader in this sector. When Intel first began producing CPUs, the company labeled each of its different chips with a model number. Intel began giving its processors names after the company discovered that processor model numbers could not be copyrighted and hence could not be protected from use by competitors. As a result, the series of CPUs known as the Pentium was born out of this decision. The majority of today's high-performance personal computers use a processor from the Intel Core family. Less priced, more fundamental personal computers often make use of a Pentium or Celeron brand processor from Intel. Processors from the Xeon and Itanium families are well suited for use in workstations and low-end servers, respectively.

Desktop Personal Computer Processor:

Name              Date Introduced/Updated    Manufacturer            Clock Speed

Core 2 Quad               2007                             Intel                             2.4 – 2.67 GHz

Core 2 Extreme           2006                            Intel                             2.67 – 3 GHz

Core 2 Duo                 2006                             Intel                             1.86 – 2.66 GHz

Pentium Dual-Core     2007                             Intel                             1.6 – 2 GHz

Pentium Extreme        2005/2006                    Intel                             3.2 – 3.73 GHz

Pentium D                   2005/2006                    Intel                             2.66 – 3.6 GHz

Pentium 4                    2000/2005                    Intel                             1.3 – 3.8 GHZ

Pentium III                   1999/2003                    Intel                             450 MHz – 1.4 GHz

Celeron D                    2004/2007                    Intel                             2.13 – 3.6 GHz

Celeron                       1998/2003                    Intel                             266 MHz – 2.8 GHz

Pentium II                   1997/1998                    Intel                             233 – 450 MHz

Pentium Pro                1996/1999                    Intel                             150 – 200 MHz

Pentium                       1993/1997                    Intel                             75 – 233 MHz

Today, AMD is the leading manufacturer of Intel-compatible processors, which have an internal design similar to Intel processors, perform the same functions, and can be as powerful, but often are less expensive. Intel and Intel-compatible processors are used in PCs.

75) Question:

What exactly do we mean when we talk about “computer memory”?

Answer:

A processor needs a location to temporarily store the data that will be used with the instructions that it will be executing as well as the instructions themselves while it is carrying out a processing operation. It is not possible for the central processing unit (CPU) to process data straight from an input device or disc; therefore, the data must first be accessible in memory.

The memory in the system unit of a computer provides the central processing unit (CPU) with a working storage space that may be used for storing program instructions, data, and information. This is done so that the CPU's access time can be reduced. Memory is also sometimes referred to as primary storage or as internal storage. Memory in a computer will typically consist of one or more chips that are placed on the motherboard or another circuit board of the machine.

76) Question:

Can you describe the features of computer memory?

Answer:

Memory's highest performance is its ability to quickly transmit data and instructions to the central processing unit (CPU). Memory is used to store items that fall into one of these three fundamental categories:

(1) The operating system and other system software that control or maintain the computer and its devices;

(2) Application programs that carry out a specific task such as word processing; and

(3) The data being processed by the application programs and the information that is resulting from that processing.

77) Question:

How do we define the idea of a stored program?

Answer:

The idea that memory serves as storage for both data and programs is referred to as the concept of stored programs. Programs and data are saved in memory in the following three stages:

(1) Before processing,

(2) In the gap between processing steps, and

(3) After processing has been completed but before being sent back to secondary storage or made available as output.

78) Question:

Describe the various memory units that a computer possesses.

Answer:

A character is saved in the computer as a string of 0s and 1s that is referred to as a byte. As a result, the fundamental unit of storage in memory is called a byte. Memory components, much like the central processing unit, are made of thousands of circuits printed on a silicon chip. Each circuit either has an electrical current flowing through it (is ON) or it does not (OFF). The data is stored in memory by first converting it into a mixture of states in which the circuit is either ON or OFF. When data and instructions for an application program are read from external storage devices and loaded into memory, each byte of data is given what is known as an address, which is a particular location within memory. This address is nothing more than a one-of-a-kind number that clearly states the location of the byte within the memory. The computer refers to the addresses that are connected with the bytes of data whenever it needs to access data or instructions stored in memory. Memory capacity is generally expressed in terms of the number of bytes that are accessible to the user.

Unit of Memory and storage sizes:

Term               Abbreviation  Approximate Size      Exact Amount

Kilobyte          KB or K          1 thousand bytes         1,024 bytes

Megabyte        MB                  1 million bytes            1,048,576 bytes

Gigabyte         GB                  1 billion bytes              1,073,741,824 bytes

Terabyte          TB                   1 trillion bytes             1,099,511,627,776 bytes

Memory is measured in bytes, and one kilobyte is equal to exactly 1,024 bytes. Users of computers frequently round a kilobyte down to 1,000 bytes so that storage specifications can be identified with greater ease. The unit of measure known as a megabyte (MB) is equivalent to about one million bytes. A gigabyte (GB) is approximately equivalent to one billion bytes. The unit of measure known as a terabyte (TB) is equivalent to about 1 trillion bytes.

79) Question:

What are the different types of memory that are found in computers?

Answer:

Memory can be divided into two categories: volatile (sometimes known as primary or main memory), and non-volatile (i.e. Secondary). The system unit has both types of memory.

When the power to the computer is switched off, any data that was stored in memory that was considered volatile will be deleted. The combination of circuit states in non-volatile memory is always the same. Because of this, the contents of non-volatile memory are not lost when the power is taken from the computer.

RAM, or random access memory, is the form of volatile memory that is most commonly used. ROM, flash memory and CMOS are all forms of memory that can be used again without losing their previous state.

80) Question:

When we say "RAM," what exactly do we mean?

Answer:

Random Access Memory, also known as RAM, refers to the memory chips that are either directly attached to the motherboard or that are directly attached to peripheral cards that plug into the motherboard. The RAM chips are made up of millions of switches, each of which is sensitive to different changes in the electric current. When the power is turned back on to the computer, the random access memory (RAM) is used to collect retrieve operating system files from a storage device, such as a hard disc. These files will continue to be stored in RAM for as long as the machine is active. When new programs or data are called for, they are taken from storage and loaded into the random access memory (RAM). The data are manipulated by the CPU while they are still stored in RAM. It is possible that the contents of RAM will alter themselves while the program is carried out and run. This will take place during the running time.

81) Question:

How do programs load (transfer-in) and unload (transfer-out) from RAM?

Answer:

The steps below show how applications move-into and out of RAM. Multiple programs can be loaded into RAM at the same time, as long as there is enough RAM to hold all of them. Before programs can be run or data can be processed, they all have to be moved to RAM from an input device (like a keyboard) or from a disc. When a program is no longer being used, the space it took up in the computer's memory is given to another program that is waiting to be run.

Step1: Some operating system files are in RAM when our computer is running;

Step2: When we start a word processing program like WORD, the program loads into RAM from a hard drive. When we make a document, it goes into RAM and shows up on our screen;

Step3: When we quit WORD, RAM can be used to store another program or data. Word is taken off the screen, and the user interface for the operating system comes up.

Step4: When we start a spreadsheet program like EXCEL, the program loads into RAM from a hard drive. When we make a spreadsheet, it goes into RAM and shows up on our screen;

Step5: When we close EXCEL, RAM can be used to store another program or data. EXCEL is taken off the screen, and the user interface for the operating system comes back up.

The processor changes the data in RAM based on instructions from the program. An address is the place in RAM where a program instruction is stored.

RAM is like the rows of mail boxes you see in post offices. Each byte in RAM has an address, just like each Post Office box has a number. Addresses make it possible to find program instructions and data, get to them, and use them. As different programs run and new data is processed, the contents of each address change often.

The memory in most RAM is temporary. That is, everything in RAM is lost when the computer's power is turned off or cut off. Because of this, anything that will be needed later must be saved to a storage device like a hard disc before the computer is turned off. Saving means copying information, instructions, and data from RAM to a storage device.

82) Question:

When it comes to memory, how many distinct types of RAM are there?

Answer:

RAM comes in a wide variety of types and configurations. There are a few fundamental types of random access memory (RAM), the most common of which being dynamic RAM, static RAM, and magneto-resistive RAM.

83) Question:

Just what is DRAM, anyway?

Answer:

The contents of dynamic random access memory, often known as DRAM, are lost if the central processing unit (CPU) does not regularly refresh (or recharge) the memory. There are numerous DRAM chip varieties, the vast majority of which are significantly quicker than the standard DRAM.

84) Question:

When asking, "What are the different kinds of dynamic RAM?”

Answer:

Here are the different kinds of dynamic RAM.

(1) (SDRAM) Synchronous DRAM: It is much faster than DRAM because it is interconnected with the system clock;

(2) Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM: It is faster than SDRAM chips because it transfers data twice per clock cycle instead of just once. DDR2 and DDR3 are even faster than DDR.

(3) Rambus DRAM (RDRAM): It is another type of DRAM that is much faster than SDRAM because it uses pipelining.

Most computers today use SDRAM chips or RDRAM chips in some form.

85) Question:

In other words, what is static RAM?

Answer:

Static RAM (SRAM) is faster and more reliable than all kinds of DRAM. Static means that it does not need to be re-energized as frequently as DRAM. SRAM is much more expensive than DRAM, so it is usually only used for certain things, like caching.

86) Question:

In other words, explain magneto-resistive random-access memory.

Answer:

Magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM) is a newer type of RAM that stores information with magnetic charges instead of electrical charges. The people who make MRAM say that it can store more data, uses less power, and can be accessed faster than electronic RAM. Also, MRAM keeps its data even when the computer is turned off, which could keep users from losing data. Experts say that MRAM could replace both DRAM and SRAM as its price goes down.

87) Question:

Simply put, what does "cache" mean?

Answer:

Most computers use memory cache, or just cache, to speed up the time it takes to do things. A cache is a small block of very fast memory that is made to speed up the transfer of data and software instructions inside the computer. Like RAM, cache is a place where program instructions and data can be stored quickly. Most computers today have two types of memory cache: L1 cache and L2 cache.

Most modern computers have two or three levels of cache, called "Levels 1 through 3".

Level 1 (L1) cache, also called internal cache, is built right into the processor chip. The size of L1 cache is usually very small, between 8KB and 128KB.

Level 2 (L2) cache is a little slower than L1 cache, but it can hold more data, from 64KB to 16MB, than L1 cache.

Level 3 (L3) cache is a separate cache from the processor chip that is on the motherboard.

88) Question:

In what sense do we talk about ROM?

Answer:

Read-only memory (ROM) is a term for memory chips that store data and instructions that can't be changed. That is, you can't change anything in ROM chips, so they are called "read-only". Most ROM is not volatile. In ROM, the way the circuit boards are set up is fixed, so if the power goes out, the data won't be lost. Most of the time, the data, instructions, or other information that is stored on ROM chips is put there when the chip is made.

89) Question:

Explain what it is that we mean when we talk about ‘Firmware’.

Answer:

Firmware is the name for data, instructions, or other information that is permanently written on ROM chips. Users can read and use firmware, but they can't change it. For example, ROM has the programs that tell the computer to load the operating system and other files when it is turned on. ROM chips are used in many things besides computers. For example, font information is stored on the ROM chips in printers.

90) Question:

What exactly do we mean when we say PROM?

Answer:

Programmable read-only memory, or PROM, is a ROM chip that is blank and on which we can store data and programs permanently. Once the data and instructions are programmed into a PROM chip, the chip works like a regular ROM and can't be erased or changed.

91) Question:

When we say ‘EEPROM’, what exactly do we mean?

Answer:

Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) chips are a type of PROM chip that lets the microcode be erased with an electric signal. EEPROM chips are where the CPU's data and instructions change, but not very often. For example, an industrial robot used to make cars might have an EEPROM chip.

92) Question:

How do we define "Flash Memory"?

Answer:

Flash memory is another type of non-volatile memory. A chip with flash memory keeps its information even when the power goes out. Flash memory can be electronically erased and re-programmed in the same way that an EEPROM chip can. Most computers store their startup instructions in flash memory, which makes it easy to change the contents of the computer.

For example, when the computer switches from standard time to day light savings time, the contents of a flash memory chip and the real-time clock chip change to reflect the new time. Flash memory chips also store data and programs on many mobile computers and devices, like smart phones, digital cameras, pagers, PDAs, automotive devices, portable media players, digital voice recorders, and printers. When we put names and addresses into a smart phone or PDA, the information is saved on a flash memory chip. Some portable media players, like MP3 players, store music on flash memory chips, while others store music on flash memory cards or tiny hard drives. You can make these devices smarter by downloading new software from the Internet or a disc from the manufacturer to their flash memory.

93) Question:

What do we mean when we talk about Memory Access Time?

Answer:

Access time is how long it takes for the processor to read information, data, and instructions from memory. The access time of a computer has a direct effect on how fast it can process data. Access time is measured in small amounts of time. Because the hard disc moves, getting to data in memory can be more than 200,000 times faster than getting to data on the hard disc. A nanosecond is usually used to measure how long it takes to get to memory (ns). A nanosecond is a very short time.

Some companies list access times in megahertz (MHz), like 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. If a manufacturer gives the access time in megahertz, we can convert it to nanoseconds by dividing 1 billion ns by the megahertz number. For example, 800 MHz equals approximately 1.25 ns (1,000,000,000/800,000,000). The computer's overall performance is affected by how long it takes to get to the memory. The faster the access time, the more megahertz there are.

Access time terminology:

Term               Abbreviation  Speed

Millisecond     ms                    One-thousandth of a second

Microsecond   µs                    One-millionth of a second

Nanosecond    ns                     One-billionth of a second

Picoseconds    ps                     One-trillionth of a second

94) Question:

Sort computers into what broad categories?

Answer:

Data is stored and processed in the same way on all computers, but they come in many different sizes, shapes, and processing speeds. New computer models are always coming out, from the smallest hand-held personal digital assistant/cell phone combinations to the largest multi-CPU mainframes for the enterprise. This is because hardware and software are always getting better and users' needs are always changing. But a computer system's processing power is what sets it apart the most. Processing power is the amount of work a computer system can do per unit of time.

Industry experts usually divide computers into seven groups based on their size, speed, and processing power:

(1) Personal Computers;

(2) Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices;

(3) Game Consoles;

(4) Servers;

(5) Mainframes;

(6) Supercomputers; and

(7) Embedded Computers.

But this classification is only used to compare how much processing power and how many end users different types of computers can handle.

95) Question:

The term "Personal Computer" means what exactly?

Answer:

A personal computer (PC), which is sometimes called a microcomputer, is a type of computer that can handle all of its own input, processing, output, and storage. People use PCs for both personal and business tasks.

A PC has at least one input device, one output device, one storage device, memory, a processor, and one output device.

All of the functions of the processor in a personal computer are on a single chip called a microprocessor. The most important part of a personal computer is the processor.

96) Question:

What are the different types of personal computers available?

Answer:

Desktop computers and notebook (laptop) computers are the two types of personal computers.

97) Question:

What exactly is a Desktop computer?

Answer:

A desktop computer is made so that the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit on or under a desk or table. Some desktop computers can act as a server on a network. Others, like a gaming desktop computer and a Media Center PC, are made for a specific group.

98) Question:

What does "gaming desktop PC" mean?

Answer:

The gaming desktop computer has high-quality audio, video, and graphics and works best for complex single-user and networked or Internet multiplayer games.

99) Question:

What does "Media Center PC" mean?

Answer:

A Media Center PC is a home entertainment desktop computer that enables users to view television programs, radio broadcasts, photographs, and videos, in addition to providing basic computing capabilities. Other features of a Media Center PC include the ability to perform basic computing tasks.

100) Question:

Workstation?

Answer:

The workstation is a type of desktop computer that is both expensive and powerful. It is designed for work that requires for complex calculations and graphical skills. When designing residences and public structures, an architect will use a workstation. The creation of computer-animated special effects for feature-length films and video games often takes place on a workstation used by the graphic artist.

101) Question:

Mobile computers and Mobile PCs—what are they?

Answer:

A personal computer that is transportable from one location to another is known as a mobile computer. In a similar manner, a mobile device is any piece of computing equipment that is portable enough to be held in one hand. The notebook computer is by far the most common form of transportable computing device.

102) Question:

Notebook (laptop) computer?

Answer:

A notebook computer, also known as a laptop computer, is a portable personal computer that is meant to fit on our laps. Even though they are more portable and less bulky than desktop computers, notebook computers can be just as powerful as the typical home computer. The system unit of a standard notebook computer contains the keyboard, and connectors are used to attach the display to the system unit. The system unit can be folded down to see the monitor. The vast majority of laptop computers are able to function using either their internal batteries or an external power supply.

103) Question:

Tablet PC?

Answer:

Tablet PCs are a specialized variety of notebook computers that have a screen that is sized similarly to a letter slate and come with a digital pen that may be used to write or draw on the display. Users can write or draw on a Tablet PC using a digital pen by pressing the tip of the pen on the screen. Users can also issue commands to the Tablet PC by tapping on the screen. Tablet PCs also feature voice input, allowing users to enter text and give directions by merely speaking to the computer rather than typing them. Tablet personal computers are seeing widespread adoption in the legal and medical fields. Disk drives are typically not included in mobile devices because of their compact size; such devices can be carried in a pocket. Instead, the programs and data are stored irreversibly either on a specialized memory that is stored within the system unit itself or on compact storage media such as memory cards.

104) Question:

Types of mobile devices?

Answer:

Handheld computers, personal digital assistants, and smart phones are the top three most popular categories of mobile devices.

105) Question:

Handheld computer?

Answer:

A computer that is portable enough to be held in one hand is referred to as a handheld computer. Screens on handheld computers are generally very small because of their devices' more compact form factors. Several handheld computers are capable of wireless communication with other electronic devices and computers. Many handheld computers are industry-specific and are designed to meet the demands of mobile personnel. These employees have jobs that need them to move from one location to another, such as meter readers and those who deliver packages.

106) Question:

What's PDA?

Answer:

A personal digital assistant, sometimes known as a PDA, can work as a person's personal organizer by providing capabilities including a calendar, an appointment book, an address book, a calculator, and a notepad. The majority of personal digital assistants (PDAs) also come with a selection of additional application software, including word processing, spreadsheet, personal finance, and gaming options. A pen is the primary means of input for a personal digital assistant (PDA). There are certain personal digital assistants (PDAs) that include a small keyboard within the device itself. Some personal digital assistants also allow for voice input, generally come with built-in cameras, and are capable of operating as portable media players. The ability to check e-mail and surf the web is built into a number of personal digital assistants (PDAs). Some also provide phone capability.

107) Question:

Smart phone definition?

Answer:

A smart phone is a mobile device that can access the Internet and typically also functions as a personal digital assistant (PDA). A smart phone provides us with the ability to send and receive e-mail messages, as well as access the Internet, in addition to the standard phone functions. The majorities of models are also capable of operating as a portable music player and generally come with built-in cameras, allowing us to instantly share photographs and movies with others after they have been taken. Because smart phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) continue to follow a trend of delivering similar functions, distinguishing between the two types of devices is becoming increasingly challenging.

108) Question:

What is a game console?

Answer:

A game console is a portable computer made for playing video games alone or with other people. Standard game consoles use a handheld controller for input, a TV screen for output, and hard discs, CDs, DVDs, and/or memory cards for storage.

The Xbox 360 from Microsoft, the Wii from Nintendo, and the PlayStation 3 from Sony are three of the most popular ones.

A handheld game console is small enough to hold in one hand. This makes it easier to move around than a regular game console. The controls, screen, and speakers are all built into the hand-held game console. Many handheld game consoles can talk to each other wirelessly so that people can play games together. Many console models let you do more than just play games. You can listen to music, watch movies, and connect to the Internet.

109) Question:

Server—what is it?

Answer:

On a network, access to the various pieces of hardware, software, and other resources is managed by a server, which also acts as a central store for data, information, and programs used by the network. Servers are capable of supporting anything from two to several thousand connected PCs all at once. Frequently, one server will access the data, information, and programs that are stored on another server. People often utilize their own personal computers or terminals in order to access the data, information, and programs that are stored on a server. A display, keyboard, and memory are the three essential components of a device known as a terminal.

110) Question:

What do we mean by mainframe?

Answer:

A mainframe is a huge, high-powered computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users at the same time. These computers are very expensive and require a lot of space. The amount of information, data, and instructions that can be stored on mainframes is enormous. The majority of large firms conduct their daily business operations on mainframe computers. Large corporations are able to handle the billing of millions of customers, the preparation of payroll for thousands of employees, and the management of thousands of goods in inventory by using mainframes. According to the findings of one survey, more than 83 percent of all transactions in the globe are processed by mainframes. In a network setting, mainframes also have the ability to function as servers. Data and information stored on a mainframe can be accessed by other mainframes and servers as well. People can also gain access to the programs running on the mainframe by using personal computers or terminals.

111) Question:

Supercomputer—what is it?

Answer:

A supercomputer is the world's most advanced, high-performance, and expensive type of computer. The most powerful supercomputers can process more than 135 trillion instructions in a single second, making them capable of handling highly complex workloads. These computers, which weight more than 100 tonnes each, have the capacity to store more than 20,000 times the amount of data and information that is held by the typical desktop computer. Supercomputers are used for software programs that require complicated and complex mathematical calculations. A supercomputer is used in the fields of medical, aerospace, automotive design, online banking, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration. These fields run large-scale simulations and applications on the supercomputer. Supercomputers have generally been put to use in scientific and military activities; however, in recent years, their applications have expanded to include economic activities and even high-level artistic projects.

112) Question:

Embedded computer—what does that mean?

Answer:

An embedded computer is a computer with a specific job that works as a part of a bigger product. There are embedded computers in our homes, cars, and schools. Because they are parts of bigger products, embedded computers are small and have limited hardware. These computers have different jobs to do, depending on what the product they are in needs. Computers that are built into printers, for example, check how much paper is in the tray, how much ink or toner is left, if there is a paper jam, and so on.

The list below shows some of the everyday items that have computers built into them.

(1) Consumer electronics: mobile and digital phones, digital TVs, cameras, video recorders, DVD players and recorders, answering machines.

(2) Home Automation Devices: thermostats, sprinkler systems, security monitoring systems, appliances, and lights.

(3) Automobiles: antilock brakes, engine control modules, airbag controller, cruise control.

(4) Process Controllers and Robotics: remote monitoring systems, power monitors, machine controllers, and medical devices.

(5) Computers and office equipment, such as keyboards, printers, fax machines, and copiers.

In short, an embedded computer is any electronic system that uses a CPU chip but isn't a workstation, desktop, or laptop computer used for general purposes. Most of the time, these systems use microprocessors, but they can also use custom-made chips or both. They are used in cars, planes, trains, spacecraft, machine tools, cameras, consumer electronics, office appliances, cell phones, PDAs, and other handhelds, as well as robots and toys. There are a lot of ways to use them, and every year billions of microprocessors are shipped for a wide range of uses.