40 Quick Questions About Computers
Computers have become a thing of daily use, and we come across various terms related to computers, but sometimes we don’t understand them.
So, here we have compiled a list of 40 questions about computers and computing accessories. This information will help you understand tutorials and documentation easily.
Computer Related General Questions
1. What is the name given to the family of application programmes that make it possible to write, edit and format text?
Word processing software.
2. In what decade did computers first become available to businesses?
In the early 1950s.
3. What is the name of large, expensive, complicated computers?
Mainframes.
4. What is a computer?
A computer is a device that can be instructed to carry out an arbitrary set of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. The ability of computers to follow a sequence of operations called a program makes them very versatile and useful.
The first electronic computers were developed in the mid-1900s. These machines were much faster than people and could store and retrieve data much more efficiently. However, they were still fairly limited in their abilities.
5. What is hardware?
Hardware is the physical equipment that you use, parts you can touch, drop or break. It includes the computer itself, keyboard, display screen, and printer.
6. What is software?
Software refers to the set of instructions that tell a computer what to do. It can be as simple as a single line of code or a complex system with millions of lines of code.
Software is divided into two main categories: system software and application software. System software includes the operating system and all the utilities that help make the computer work. Application software includes programs that do specific tasks, such as word processing, accounting, or playing games.
Most software is written in a high-level programming language that can be read and understood by humans. The code is then translated into a form that the computer can understand and execute.
7. What is the name of the general purpose software which is used to manipulate numbers?
Spreadsheets.
8. What is the name given to the class of software which is used to keep track of data such as Payroll, Inventory, Sales, etc.?
Database management software.
9. What is the name given to software used to develop images?
Graphics application programs.
10. Human beings generally use a decimal numbering system. What is the numbering system called which is used in digital systems?
A binary system.
11. A transistor that is on has the value 1; a transistor that off has the value 0. What is the term used to describe these values?
Bits.
12. How many bits in a byte?
8.
13. How many bytes are in a kilobyte?
1,024.
14. How many bytes are available in a computer that has 512mb of memory?
500 million bytes or 1,048,576 x 5 bytes.
15. Approximately how many bytes in a megabyte (MB)?
1 million.
16. How many bytes are there in a gigabyte (GB)?
1 billion.
17. How many bytes in a terabyte (TB)?
1 trillion.
18. What does CPU stand for?
A CPU, or central processing unit, is the primary component of a computer that performs calculations and processes information. It is also known as a microprocessor. CPUs are made up of several parts, including the ALU, control unit, registers, and cache.
19. A computer may have two types of internal memory. What are they?
ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).
20. In the computer industry, what is a ‘port’?
In the computer industry, a port is a socket, usually located at the back of a computer, which connects the computer to peripherals such as the monitor and the printer.
21. What does USB refer to?
USB refers to the Universal Serial Bus, which is the standard for connecting computer peripherals. USB is a plug-and-play interface that allows you to connect devices without installing special drivers. USB is also used to power and charge portable devices such as phones and tablets.
22. Which is faster, USB1, USB2 or USB3?
USB3, which is about ten times faster than USB2.
23. What happens when one key on a manual typewriter is pressed and held down?
On a typewriter, one letter is printed; on a computer, the letters are repeated as long as the key is held down.
24.What is the name given to the standard layout of keyboards most commonly found?
QWERTY named after the first six keys on the top row of letter keys.
25. What is another name for the return key?
The enter key.
26. What does OCR stand for?
Optical Character Recognition.
27. What is a pixel?
Pixels are the small dots on computer screens which make up text and graphics.
28. What is a light pen?
A light pen is used to draw images directly on a computer screen.
29. What is a mouse?
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. The mouse’s motion typically translates into the motion of a pointer on display, which allows a smooth control of the graphical user interface.
30.The following two sentences, taken from The Economist, illustrate the problems still being experienced with what kind of input device to a computer?
– This new display can recognise speech.
– This nudist play can wreck a nice beach.
Voice input. The software is getting better! Have you tries speaking search terms to find sites with Google?
31. List two different kinds of printers.
Inkjet and laser printers are the two main types of printers available on the market.
Inkjet printers are generally more affordable than laser printers and are better suited for printing photos and other graphics. They use liquid ink that is sprayed onto the paper, which can result in smudging if you’re not careful.
Laser printers are faster and more precise than inkjet printers, making them ideal for office use. They use a process of melting and fusing toner onto the paper, which results in sharp text and images. However, laser printers can be more expensive to operate in the long run because you have to purchase toner cartridges.
32. Give two other names for a hard disk drive.
Fixed disk or Winchester disk drive.
33. What is a CD-ROM disk?
A CD-ROM disk is a laser disk that can store the same information as many thousands of floppy disks. DVD disks store more information. New formats such as Blu-ray store even more data (50GB on a dual layer disk).
34. What is a WORM?
A WORM is a type of computer virus.
35. What is a modem?
A modem is a device that enables a computer to communicate to another computer via telephone lines. The modem is derived from the words modulate demodulate. Modems can be dial-up or broadband. Some are wireless.
36.What class of software programs are used to demonstrate images?
Graphics programs.
37.What is the term used to describe that class of program that combines various applications such as word processing, database management, spreadsheets, graphics and communications?
Integrated programs, e.g. Microsoft Office, Open Office.
38.What class of programs make it easy to combine text and graphics, including providing text in columns?
Desktop publishing programs.
39.What is the term used to describe small, generally inexpensive programs that perform a single task and which help to make your computer more efficient?
Utility programs.
40. What is an ASCII file? What do the letters in the term ASCII stand for?
ASCII files are files saved in a standard format that is recognised by all computers and all programs. ASCII stands for American Standard Code for information Interchange.