IT Fundamentals

Standard 3.5-inch floppy disks typically rotate at a speed of 300 rpm to maintain a constant data transfer rate.

The SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply) is the component that converts AC power from the wall outlet into the DC power required by computer components.

FAT stands for File Allocation Table, which is a file system architecture used to manage files on storage media.

ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile, meaning it retains its data even when power is turned off, making it suitable for permanent information like firmware.

The magnetic storage medium inside a floppy disk is made of a thin, flexible plastic film coated with magnetic material, often referred to as Mylar.

Dynamic RAM (DRAM) stores data in capacitors that leak charge over time, requiring periodic refresh operations to maintain the stored information.

The clipboard is a temporary storage area in the operating system used to hold data that has been cut or copied before it is pasted elsewhere.

A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is a mobile device, not a data scanning unit like OMR, barcode readers, or OCR systems.

Membrane switch keyboards use a sealed plastic layer, making them resistant to spills, liquids, and grease compared to mechanical keyboards.

The keyboard controller is the internal processor that detects when a key is pressed, identifies the scan code, and sends it to the computer.

ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, which was one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers.

IBM was a pioneer in developing early computing standards, including the use of Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) in machines like the IBM 702.

A webmail interface allows users to access their email accounts through a web browser from any device with an internet connection.

Cyberphobia is the recognized term for the fear or anxiety associated with computers and new technology.

The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to modern information and communication technology and those who do not.

Application software consists of programs designed for end-users to perform specific tasks, such as word processing or editing photos.

Servers provide resources, data, or services to other computers, known as clients, over a network.

Computers process data using binary language, which consists of only two digits: 0 and 1.

Artificial Intelligence is the field of computer science dedicated to creating systems that simulate human cognitive functions. Nanoscience and nanotechnology deal with matter at the atomic scale, while simulation is a broader technique not exclusive to intelligence.

In older versions of Excel, the limit for worksheets in a workbook was 255. While modern versions are limited by available memory, 255 is the classic textbook answer for this specific question.

Data mining is the process of discovering patterns, correlations, and trends within large datasets. Retailers use this to analyze customer behavior and optimize inventory.

Historically, Excel workbooks opened with 3 default worksheets. While this can be changed in settings, 3 is the standard answer for this legacy question.

The Korn, C, and Bourne shells are standard command-line interfaces for UNIX. C++ is a programming language, not a shell.

Fourth-generation languages (4GL) are designed to be closer to human language and are specifically built to interact with databases (DBMS) using tools like SQL.

A transaction file is a standard type of computer file used to store data about events or business transactions. The other options are either software-specific or generic terms.

Assembly language is tied to the specific instruction set of a processor architecture. This makes code non-portable, which is considered a significant demerit compared to high-level languages.

The instruction cycle consists of fetching the instruction from memory and then executing it. These are the two primary phases of the CPU cycle.

Virtual memory allows for efficient storage allocation, memory protection between processes, and the ability to share memory segments, making all listed options correct.