Fundamentals of Hardware and Software

Question 1

What does CPU stand for?

Answer 1

Central Processing Unit.

Question 2

What are the two main components of a CPU?

Answer 2

• ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• CU (Control Unit)

Question 3

What is the function of the CPU?

Answer 3

To execute instructions and process data.

Question 4

What is clock speed, and how is it measured?

Answer 4

The speed at which a CPU executes instructions, measured in GHz (gigahertz).

Question 5

What is a multi-core processor?

Answer 5

A CPU with multiple processing units (cores) to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Question 6

What is primary storage?

Answer 6

Memory directly accessible by the CPU (e.g., RAM, ROM).

Question 7

What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

Answer 7

RAM is volatile (loses data when power is off); ROM is non-volatile (retains data).

Question 8

What is cache memory?

Answer 8

A small, fast memory layer between the CPU and RAM to speed up data access.

Question 9

Why is RAM important?

Answer 9

It temporarily stores data and instructions for quick CPU access.

Question 10

What is virtual memory?

Answer 10

A portion of secondary storage used as an extension of RAM when it’s full.

Question 11

What is secondary storage?

Answer 11

Non-volatile storage for long-term data retention (e.g., HDD, SSD).

Question 12

Name three types of secondary storage.

Answer 12

• Magnetic (HDD)
• Optical (DVD)
• Solid-state (SSD)

Question 13

What is cloud storage?

Answer 13

Remote storage accessed via the internet (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox).

Question 14

What is the difference between sequential and direct access?

Answer 14

• Sequential requires reading data in order (e.g., tape)
• Direct allows immediate access (e.g., SSD)

Question 15

Convert 5 TB to GB.

Answer 15

5 TB = 5,000 GB.

Question 16

Give two examples of input devices.

Answer 16

• Keyboard
• Mouse

Question 17

What is an output device?

Answer 17

Hardware that displays/processes data (e.g., monitor, printer).

Question 18

What is a touchscreen?

Answer 18

An input/output device that detects touch input.

Question 19

Name a device used for biometric input.

Answer 19

Fingerprint scanner.

Question 20

What is the function of a projector?

Answer 20

To display visual output on a large screen.

Question 21

What is a supercomputer?

Answer 21

A high-performance computer for complex calculations (e.g., weather forecasting).

Question 22

What is a mainframe computer?

Answer 22

A large computer for bulk data processing (e.g., banking systems).

Question 23

What is an embedded system?

Answer 23

A dedicated computer within a larger system (e.g., microwave controller).

Question 24

What is a personal computer (PC)?

Answer 24

A general-purpose computer for individual use.

Question 25

What is a server?

Answer 25

A computer that provides services to other devices on a network.

Question 26

What is system software?

Answer 26

Software that manages hardware (e.g., OS, utilities).

Question 27

Give an example of application software.

Answer 27

Microsoft Word.

Question 28

What is an operating system?

Answer 28

Software that manages hardware and provides a user interface (e.g., Windows).

Question 29

What is open-source software?

Answer 29

Software with publicly available source code (e.g., Linux).

Question 30

What is firmware?

Answer 30

Permanent software stored in ROM (e.g., BIOS).

Question 31

What is a common symptom of overheating?

Answer 31

Frequent shutdowns or slow performance.

Question 32

How can you fix a frozen computer?

Answer 32

Restart it or check for software conflicts.

Question 33

What is a blue screen error?

Answer 33

A critical system error displayed on a blue screen in Windows.

Question 34

What is malware?

Answer 34

Malicious software (e.g., viruses, spyware).

Question 35

How can you prevent malware infections?

Answer 35

Use antivirus software and avoid suspicious downloads.

Question 36

What is a source document?

Answer 36

Original data (e.g., paper forms, digital files).

Question 37

What is a typographical error?

Answer 37

A mistake in typing (e.g., 'teh' instead of 'the').

Question 38

What is the difference between validation and verification?

Answer 38

* Validation checks if data is reasonable * Verification checks if it matches the source

Question 39

Name a validation method.

Answer 39

Range check (e.g., age must be 0-120).

Question 40

What is a transposition error?

Answer 40

Swapping digits/characters (e.g., '123' vs. '132').