Short Answer Type Questions

1. What is a computer?
Ans: A computer is an electronic machine that takes input, processes it, stores data, and gives output.

2. What are the four basic operations of a computer?
Ans: The four basic operations are input, processing, storage, and output.

3. Why is computer education important?
Ans: Computer education helps us use technology in studies, jobs, and daily life easily.

4. Name two devices used before modern computers.
Ans: Abacus and Napier’s Bones.

5. Who invented the Abacus?
Ans: The Abacus was invented by the Chinese.

6. What was Napier’s Bones used for?
Ans: Napier’s Bones was used for multiplication and division.

7. Who is Charles Babbage?
Ans: Charles Babbage is known as the father of the computer.

8. Who is considered the first computer programmer?
Ans: Ada Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer.

9. What are the five generations of computers?
Ans: First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth generations.

10. Name the technology used in first-generation computers.
Ans: First-generation computers used vacuum tubes.

11. What is the main difference between 2nd and 3rd generation computers?
Ans: Second-generation used transistors, while third-generation used integrated circuits (ICs).

12. What is a microprocessor?
Ans: A microprocessor is a small chip that acts as the brain of a computer.

13. Mention one feature of fifth-generation computers.
Ans: They can understand human language using artificial intelligence.

14. Name two input and two output devices.
Ans: Input: Keyboard, Mouse; Output: Monitor, Printer.

15. What is the function of the CPU?
Ans: The CPU processes data and controls the working of the computer.

16. What is system software?
Ans: System software helps run the computer and its hardware.

17. Define application software with an example.
Ans: Application software is used for specific tasks, like MS Word for typing.

18. Write two uses of computers in daily life.
Ans: Computers are used for online shopping and learning.

19. How are computers used in the field of education?
Ans: They are used for online classes, study materials, and tests.

20. Mention one limitation of a computer.
Ans: A computer cannot work without instructions.

21. What are the main components of the CPU?
Ans: ALU, Control Unit, and Registers.

22. What does the ALU perform?
Ans: The ALU performs mathematical and logical operations.

23. What is the function of the Control Unit (CU)?
Ans: It controls the flow of data and instructions inside the CPU.

24. What are registers used for?
Ans: Registers store small amounts of data temporarily during processing.

25. Name the three types of buses in a computer.
Ans: Data bus, Address bus, and Control bus.

26. What is the function of the data bus?
Ans: It carries data between parts of the computer.

27. Define a bit.
Ans: A bit is the smallest unit of data in a computer, with a value of 0 or 1.

28. How many bits are there in a nibble?
Ans: There are 4 bits in a nibble.

29. How many bits are there in a byte?
Ans: There are 8 bits in a byte.

30. What is a word in computer memory?
Ans: A word is a group of bits the computer processes at once, like 16 or 32 bits.

31. What are the two types of memory?
Ans: Primary memory and secondary memory.

32. What is RAM?
Ans: RAM is temporary memory used to store data while a program is running.

33. Is RAM volatile or non-volatile?
Ans: RAM is volatile, meaning it loses data when power is off.

34. What is the difference between SRAM and DRAM?
Ans: SRAM is faster and costlier than DRAM, which is slower but cheaper.

35. What is ROM?
Ans: ROM is memory that stores permanent instructions and cannot be changed easily.

36. Is ROM volatile or non-volatile?
Ans: ROM is non-volatile and keeps data even when power is off.

37. Name three types of ROM.
Ans: PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM.

38. What is a floppy disk?
Ans: A floppy disk is an old storage device used to save small data files.

39. Name two types of optical storage media.
Ans: CD and DVD.

40. Give one use of a pen drive.
Ans: A pen drive is used to transfer and store files.

41. Name two pointing input devices.
Ans: Mouse and touchpad.

42. What is a scanner used for?
Ans: A scanner is used to convert paper documents into digital form.

43. Name any two output devices.
Ans: Monitor and speaker.

44. What is a soft copy?
Ans: A soft copy is a digital file shown on a screen.

45. What is a hard copy?
Ans: A hard copy is a physical printout on paper.

46. Name any two types of printers.
Ans: Inkjet and laser printers.

47. Define hardware.
Ans: Hardware is the physical parts of a computer that we can touch.

48. What is software?
Ans: Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.

49. Name the two types of software.
Ans: System software and application software.

50. What is system software?
Ans: System software helps the computer to work properly and control hardware.

51. What is an operating system?
Ans: It is system software that manages all the activities of the computer.

52. What is a language processor?
Ans: It converts programming language into machine language.

53. What does an assembler do?
Ans: It converts assembly language into machine code.

54. What is the function of utility software?
Ans: It helps maintain and manage the computer system, like antivirus.

55. What is application software?
Ans: Software made to perform specific tasks, like creating a document.

56. What is the use of word processing software?
Ans: It is used to write, edit, and format text documents.

57. Give two examples of general-purpose application software.
Ans: MS Word and Excel.

58. What is a specific-purpose application software?
Ans: It is made for one task, like billing in a shop.

59. What is meant by performance of a computer?
Ans: It means how fast and well a computer completes tasks.

60. What is response time?
Ans: It is the time a computer takes to start giving output after receiving input.

61. What is throughput?
Ans: It is the number of tasks a computer can finish in a given time.

62. How is CPU speed measured?
Ans: CPU speed is measured in GHz (Gigahertz).

63. Name one factor that affects the performance of a computer.
Ans: The amount of RAM affects how fast a computer works.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Explain the basic functions and features of a computer.
Ans:
A computer works by taking input, processing it, storing it, and giving output. It follows instructions step by step to complete tasks quickly and accurately. Computers can do calculations, handle large data, and run various programs. They work fast and do not make mistakes if used properly. A key feature is their ability to store and recall data whenever needed. They also help in multitasking by running more than one program at the same time.

2. Why is computer education necessary in the modern world?
Ans:
Computer education is important because we use computers in almost every field like education, business, and health. It helps us use the internet, type documents, and use software. Learning computers prepares students for future jobs where digital skills are needed. It also helps people to do online banking, book tickets, and stay connected. Without computer knowledge, it becomes difficult to work or study in today’s digital world.

3. Explain the five generations of computers along with their key technologies and examples.
Ans:
The first generation used vacuum tubes and was large and slow. The second generation used transistors, making computers smaller and faster. The third generation used integrated circuits (ICs), improving speed and size. The fourth generation used microprocessors and brought personal computers (PCs). The fifth generation uses artificial intelligence (AI) and aims to make machines think like humans. An example of the fifth generation is voice assistants like Siri or Alexa.

4. Differentiate between the generations of computers based on speed, size, and technology.
Ans:
First-generation computers were large and slow, using vacuum tubes. Second-generation computers became smaller and faster due to transistors. Third-generation computers used ICs and were more reliable. Fourth-generation computers used microprocessors, making them compact and fast. Fifth-generation computers focus on AI and smart technology with even faster speeds and smaller sizes. Each generation brought better performance and technology.

5. Describe the main components of a computer system.
Ans:
A computer system has hardware, software, and users. The main hardware parts are input devices (like keyboard), output devices (like monitor), CPU, and memory. The CPU has ALU, CU, and registers which do processing and control tasks. Software includes system software (like the operating system) and application software (like MS Word). All these parts work together to complete user tasks.

6. Explain the types of software used in a computer system with examples.
Ans:
There are two main types of software: system software and application software. System software controls and manages the hardware and basic functions of the computer, like the operating system (Windows or Linux). Application software is used to do specific tasks, like MS Paint for drawing or Excel for calculations. Utility software, like antivirus and disk cleanup tools, also helps in system management. Both types of software are needed to make a computer useful.

7. What are the different fields in which computers are used today?
Ans:
Computers are used in many areas. In education, they help in online classes and study materials. In hospitals, they help in keeping patient records and testing. In banks, computers are used for transactions and account management. In business, they help in sales, communication, and data analysis. Even in homes, people use computers for entertainment, shopping, and chatting.

8. Discuss the limitations of computers.
Ans:
Although computers are powerful, they have some limitations. They cannot think or make decisions on their own. They only follow the instructions given by users or software. Computers cannot understand feelings or solve problems like humans. If wrong data is given, they will give wrong output. Also, they need electricity to work and can be harmed by viruses or hacking.

9. Explain the three main components of the CPU and their functions.
Ans:
The CPU has three main parts: ALU, Control Unit, and Registers. The ALU does calculations and logical decisions. The Control Unit directs all the parts of the computer to work properly. Registers are small memory units inside the CPU that store temporary data during processing. Together, these parts help the CPU to process and manage tasks quickly and smoothly.

10. Differentiate between RAM and ROM with examples.
Ans:
RAM (Random Access Memory) is temporary memory used when a computer is running. It is fast but loses data when power is off. ROM (Read-Only Memory) is permanent memory that stores important instructions like booting the computer. ROM keeps data even when the power is off. For example, RAM stores files while editing in MS Word, and ROM stores the startup program of the system.

11. Discuss the types of ROM: PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM.
Ans:
PROM stands for Programmable ROM, which can be written only once. EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable ROM and can be erased using UV light and reprogrammed. EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM and can be erased and rewritten using electricity. These types help store permanent data but in different ways. They are used in calculators, BIOS, and microcontrollers.

12. Write short notes on the following: Scanner, Microphone, OMR, MICR.
Ans:
A scanner is an input device that changes a paper document into a digital image. A microphone takes sound and sends it to the computer as input. OMR (Optical Mark Reader) reads marks on special forms like exam sheets. MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) reads special magnetic ink characters on bank cheques. These devices help in entering different types of data into a computer.

13. What is a monitor? Describe the types of monitors.
Ans:
A monitor is an output device that shows the result of computer work on a screen. There are mainly three types: CRT, LCD, and LED. CRT monitors are old and bulky. LCD monitors are flat, thin, and use liquid crystals. LED monitors are similar to LCD but use light-emitting diodes for better brightness and quality. Today, LED monitors are most commonly used.

14. Differentiate between impact and non-impact printers with examples.
Ans:
Impact printers hit the paper while printing, like a typewriter. Dot matrix printers are examples of impact printers. Non-impact printers do not strike the paper and are faster and quieter. Inkjet and laser printers are examples of non-impact printers. Impact printers are used for carbon copies, while non-impact ones are used for high-quality prints.

15. Differentiate between hardware and software with examples.
Ans:
Hardware is the physical part of a computer that we can touch, like a keyboard, mouse, or CPU. Software is the set of programs and instructions that run the computer, like Windows or MS Word. Without software, hardware cannot work. Both are needed to use a computer. For example, a printer (hardware) needs printer software (driver) to print.

16. What is system software? Explain its types.
Ans:
System software helps run and control the hardware of a computer. It includes the operating system, language processors, and utility software. The operating system manages files, memory, and devices. Language processors convert programming code into machine language. Utility software helps clean and protect the computer. Without system software, a computer cannot function.

17. What is application software? Explain general-purpose and specific-purpose application software with examples.
Ans:
Application software is used to do certain tasks on the computer. General-purpose software can be used by everyone for common tasks, like MS Excel for calculations or MS Word for writing. Specific-purpose software is made for special tasks, like billing software in shops or library management systems. Both types help users in different areas of work.

18. How is computer performance measured? What factors affect performance?
Ans:
Computer performance is measured by speed, memory, and the number of tasks it can do. The CPU speed, measured in GHz, shows how fast it works. RAM size affects how many programs can run at once. The hard disk speed and size also affect performance. Better software and proper maintenance also help in good performance.

19. Explain how CPU speed, memory size, and number of programs affect computer performance.
Ans:
CPU speed controls how fast the computer processes data. A higher GHz CPU means faster performance. Memory size, especially RAM, helps in running many programs smoothly. If there is less RAM, the computer slows down. Running too many programs at once also reduces speed. So, all these factors must work together for better performance.