COS 101 Exam Questions Most Repeated Questions and Answer (PDF)

PART 1

PART 2

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1. What are the three distinct units of a functional unit of a computer system?
Answer: The input unit, central processing unit, and output unit.

2. Name four functions that a computer performs.
Answer:

• Takes data as input
• Stores data/information when use is required
• Processes data and converts it into useful information
• Outputs the information

3. What are the two basic components a computer system is generally made up of?
Answer: Hardware components and software components.

4. List five characteristics of a computer.
Answer: Diligence, speed, accuracy, storage, versatility.

5. List five advantages of using computers.
Answer:

• Computers are very fast.
• Computers are very accurate.
• Computers have much more storage capacity than human beings.
• A computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration.
• Computers can work continuously without creating any error and boredom.

6. What are the five computer generations?
Answer:

• First Generation: 1946–1959
• Second Generation: 1959–1965
• Third Generation: 1965–1971
• Fourth Generation: 1971–1980
• Fifth Generation: 1980-onwards

7. What are the three classifications of computers based on how a computer works?
Answer: Analogue, digital, and hybrid computers.

8. What are the two classifications of computers based on purpose?
Answer: Special-purpose and general-purpose computers.

9. What are the benefits of branded computers?
Answer:

• Systems engineered by vendor in its entirety
• Consistent performance and compatibility
• Certified by third-party vendors
• ISO compliance
• Bundled software and drivers
• Financial stability of vendor
• On-site service

10. What is data?
Answer: Data is a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans or machines.

11. What is the difference between analogue and digital signals?
Answer: Analogue signal is a continuous waveform that changes over time, while a digital signal is a non-continuous, discrete-time signal.

12. What is the function of the backspace key on a keyboard?
Answer: It deletes the character before the current cursor position or the last character in a line.

13. What is the function of the control section within the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
Answer: It directs the flow of operations, interprets program instructions, and coordinates other CPU parts. It does not process actual operations.

14. What role does the arithmetic-logic section play in a computer system?
Answer: It performs arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and logic operations (comparison, conditions, etc.).

15. What are the four purposes of the internal storage section?
Answer:

• Retain data during processing
• Hold intermediate results
• Store processing results
• Store program instructions

16. What is the function of the output unit of a computer?
Answer: It receives processed data from the CPU and sends it to output devices like monitors, printers, or storage devices.

17. What is the Abacus?
Answer: A 5,000-year-old device used for computations using sliding beads on a rack.

18. What is the Difference Engine?
Answer: A mechanical calculator designed to compile and print mathematical tables and perform calculations.

19. What are the characteristics of first-generation computers?
Answer: Used vacuum tubes, were large, unreliable, slow, consumed much power, supported only machine language, and generated a lot of heat.

20. What are the characteristics of fifth-generation computers?
Answer: Use ULSI technology, have artificial intelligence, support natural language and parallel processing, are compact, fast, and affordable.

21. What is a special-purpose computer?
Answer: A computer designed for a specific task like traffic control, navigation, or robotics.

22. What is the difference between branded and cloned computers?
Answer: Branded computers are made by well-known companies with good support. Cloned computers are assembled from parts, cheaper, and customizable but may lack support.

23. What is information?
Answer: Organized or classified data that has meaning and is useful in making decisions or taking actions.

24. What is the function of the Windows key on a keyboard?
Answer: It opens the Start menu in Windows operating systems and was first introduced before Windows 95.

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PART 3

Flashcards: Fundamentals of Computer Systems

1. Question: Definition of a Computer System
   Answer: An electronic data processing machine which accepts and stores input data (raw facts and figures), processes the data input, and outputs the processed data (information) in a required format.
2. Question: Functional Units of a Computer System
   Answer: Input unit, central processing unit, and output unit.
3. Question: Input Unit
   Answer: A computer must receive both data and program statements to function properly and be able to solve problems. Input devices accomplish feeding data and programs to a computer.
4. Question: Central Processing Unit (CPU)
   Answer: The brain of a computer system that transfers data to one or various processing units. It consists of a control section, an arithmetic-logic section, and an internal storage section.
5. Question: Control Section
   Answer: The control section directs the flow of traffic and maintains order within the computer.
6. Question: Arithmetic-Logic Section (ALU)
   Answer: The arithmetic-logic section performs arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
7. Question: Internal Storage Section
   Answer: The internal storage section serves for retention.
8. Question: Output Unit
   Answer: As program statements and data are received by the CPU from an input device, the results of the processed data are sent from the CPU to an output device.
9. Question: Hardware Components
   Answer: The general collection of all physical parts of a computer system. Computer hardware is what you can physically touch.
10. Question: Software Components
    Answer: A software component is a collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer, its hardware, or perform tasks.
11. Question: Advantages of using a computer
    Answer:
    ○ A very fast machine
    ○ Very accurate
    ○ Has much more storage capacity than human beings
    ○ Free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration
    ○ Can work continuously without creating any error and boredom
    ○ Very flexible in performing jobs
    ○ A versatile machine
12. Question: Disadvantages of using a computer
    Answer:
    ○ Has no intelligence of its own
    ○ Cannot take any decision on its own
    ○ Cannot perform functions except as instructed
    ○ Has no feelings or emotions
13. Question: First-generation computers
    Answer:
    ○ Time period: 1946–1959
    ○ Vacuum tube based
14. Question: Second-generation computers
    Answer:
    ○ Time period: 1959–1965
    ○ Transistor based
15. Question: Third-generation computers
    Answer:
    ○ Time period: 1965–1971
    ○ Integrated circuit based
16. Question: Fourth-generation computers
    Answer:
    ○ Time period: 1971–1980
    ○ VLSI Microprocessor based
17. Question: Fifth-generation computers
    Answer:
    ○ Time period: 1980–onwards
    ○ ULSI Microprocessor based
18. Question: Analogue Computer
    Answer: A computer that uses the continuously changeable aspects of physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.
19. Question: Digital Computers
    Answer: Digital computers use the binary arithmetic concept where numbers and letters are represented by combinations of zeros and ones (0 and 1).
20. Question: Hybrid Computers
    Answer: Hybrid computers possess the attributes of both analogue and digital computers.
21. Question: Special-Purpose Computers
    Answer: A special-purpose computer is designed for a specific application.
22. Question: General-Purpose Computers
    Answer: General-purpose computers are used to handle a variety of tasks.
23. Question: Mainframe computers
    Answer: Very huge computers with large memory and processing capabilities and can support hundreds of users simultaneously.
24. Question: Minicomputers
    Answer: Medium-sized computers much larger than personal computers and support multiple users simultaneously.
25. Question: Microcomputers
    Answer: Can support only one user at a time.
26. Question: Supercomputers
    Answer: Supercomputers are the fastest type of computer and can execute programs very quickly.
27. Question: Benefits of Branded Computers
    Answer: Systems engineered by vendor in its entirety, resulting in consistent performance and compatibility.
28. Question: Drawbacks of Branded Computers
    Answer: Higher price.
29. Question: Benefits of Cloned/Assembled Computers
    Answer: Lower price.
30. Question: Drawbacks of Cloned/Assembled Computers
    Answer: Multi-vendor responsibility for part warranty.
31. Question: Data
    Answer: Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner, suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or electronic machine.
32. Question: Information
    Answer: Information is organized or classified data so that it has some meaningful value to the receiver.
33. Question: Analogue Signal
    Answer: An analogue signal is a kind of continuous waveform that changes over time.
34. Question: Digital Signals
    Answer: A digital signal is a non-continuous, discrete-time signal.