Computer & IT

note!Answer: D) All the above
A computer performs arithmetic operations, logical operations, and storage/retrieval operations, so 'All the above' is correct.

note!Answer: C) Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal built the Pascaline in 1642, generally considered the first mechanical calculator.

note!Answer: C) Jacquard
Punched cards were first introduced by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804 to control the patterns woven by a loom (a machine used for weaving cloth). The punched holes in the cards represented instructions that determined the weaving patterns.
Later, Herman Hollerith adapted punched-card technology for data processing and used it in the 1890 United States Census.

note!Answer: B) Electro-mechanical
Computers built before the first generation of electronic computers were generally electro-mechanical computers. These machines used a combination of electrical components and mechanical parts, such as switches, relays, and moving components, to perform calculations.
For example, the Harvard Mark I (1944) was an electro-mechanical computer that used electromechanical relays and mechanical components to process data.
The first generation of electronic computers (approximately 1940s–1950s) primarily used vacuum tubes for processing.

note!Answer: D) 64 bits
The word length of a computer is the number of bits its processor can handle as a unit of data during a typical operation. Common word lengths include 8, 16, 32, and 64 bits.
Modern personal computers commonly use 64-bit processors, which can process 64-bit data values in a single operation and support 64-bit operating systems.

note!Answer: C) 256KB & 640KB
In older computer fundamentals textbooks, the primary memory of an early personal computer (PC) is often described as ranging from 256 KB to 640 KB. This refers to the conventional memory capacity commonly associated with early IBM-compatible PCs.
Primary memory is the memory directly accessible by the CPU, mainly RAM and ROM. RAM temporarily stores programs and data currently in use, while ROM stores essential instructions needed to start the computer.

note!Answer: C) 1 MIPS
CPU speed refers to how quickly a computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU) executes instructions. In older computer-fundamentals textbooks, the CPU speed of a personal computer is sometimes given as approximately 1 MIPS.
MIPS stands for Million Instructions Per Second. It measures the number of millions of instructions a processor can execute in one second.
For example, a CPU rated at 1 MIPS can execute approximately one million instructions per second under the conditions used for that measurement.
Explanation of Other Options
- A. 32 KIPS: 32 thousand instructions per second.
- B. 100 KIPS: 100 thousand instructions per second.
- C. 1 MIPS: One million instructions per second. Expected answer.
- D. None of these: Not the expected answer in this textbook-style question.

note!Answer: A) System Software
Operating systems, editors, and debuggers are system software, which supports the computer's operation and program development. Application software serves end users' tasks.

note!Answer: C) System Analysis
System Analysis is the first stage in the traditional software development process. In this stage, developers study the existing system, identify the problem, understand users’ needs, and determine what the new software must do.
The purpose is to understand the requirements before designing and developing the software.
Explanation of Other Options
- A. Specification and design: Defines the software requirements in detail and plans how the software will be structured.
- B. Testing: Checks whether the software works correctly and identifies errors or bugs.
- C. System Analysis: Identifies problems, studies user needs, and determines system requirements. Correct answer.
- D. Maintenance: Involves fixing errors, improving performance, and updating software after it has been delivered.

note!Answer: C) System Analysis involves creating formal model of the problem to be solved
System Analysis is the process of studying a problem or an existing system to understand its requirements and determine what a new system needs to do. It involves gathering information, identifying problems, and developing a model of the problem to be solved.
The purpose of system analysis is to understand what the system should do before deciding how to design and build it.
Explanation of Other Options
- A. The design of the screen the user will see and use to enter or display data: This refers to User Interface (UI) Design, which determines how users interact with the software.
- B. System analysis defines the format and type of data the program will use: This is more closely related to data specification and program design.
- C. System Analysis involves creating formal model of the problem to be solved: This best describes system analysis among the given options. Correct answer.
- D. None of the above: Incorrect because Option C is the best answer.

note!Answer: C) Diagnostic software
Diagnostic software detects faults in a computer system and identifies their causes. Cookies, boot diskettes, and OS extensions do not perform this function.

note!Answer: D) Assembly Languages
Assembly languages are low-level languages that map closely to machine instructions. BASIC, COBOL, and FORTRAN are high-level, and Prolog and expert systems are AI/declarative languages.

note!Answer: C) Oracle
Oracle is a database management system, not an antivirus. NAV (Norton AntiVirus), F-Prot, and McAfee are antivirus programs.

note!Answer: B) Modem
A modem (Modulator-Demodulator) is a device traditionally used to connect a computer or network to an Internet service provider (ISP). It converts signals into a form suitable for transmission over a communication medium and converts incoming signals back into usable data.
A modem is commonly used in broadband Internet connections, such as cable and DSL services.
Explanation of Other Options
- A. Joystick: An input device used mainly to control games and simulations.
- B. Modem: A communication device used to establish an Internet connection. Correct answer.
- C. CD Drive: A device used to read data from CDs; it does not provide Internet connectivity.
- D. NIC Card: A Network Interface Card allows a computer to connect to a network. It may be needed for a wired or wireless network connection, but a modem is the expected answer in this traditional textbook question.

note!Answer: B) Direct Memory Access
DMA stands for Direct Memory Access, a method that lets devices transfer data to and from memory without continuous CPU involvement.

note!Answer: C) CTRL+ Enter
Ctrl+Enter inserts a manual page break in Word.

note!Answer: C) insert, header and footer
In MS Word 2003, headers and footers are created via Insert > Header and Footer.

note!Answer: C) insert, header and footer
In MS Word 2003, headers are created via Insert > Header and Footer.

note!Answer: A) format, borders and shading
Shading is applied through Format > Borders and Shading.

note!Answer: D) both B and C
Headers and footers are visible in Print Layout view and Print Preview mode.