Computer Knowledge

Computer Fundamentals and System Concepts

2,421 Questions

Computer fundamentals and system concepts questions cover core hardware components, operating systems, and historical computer milestones. Topics include the kernel, central processing unit, and basic computing terminology. These foundational questions are strictly essential for scoring well in computer knowledge sections.

Central processing unitComputer operating systemsSupercomputer milestonesSystem registry functionsKernel operationsAndroid applications

Computer Fundamentals and System Concepts Questions

Multiple choice

Chip is a common nickname for a (n):

  1. transistor

  2. resistor

  3. integrated circuit

  4. semiconductor

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In electronics and computing, a microchip or simply chip is a common nickname for an integrated circuit. It contains miniaturized electronic circuits on a semiconductor material.

Multiple choice

Transformation of input into output is performed by

  1. Peripherals

  2. Memory

  3. Storage

  4. The Input-Output unit

  5. The CPU
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the primary component responsible for processing data. It fetches instructions and data from memory, performs arithmetic and logical operations on them, and stores the results back. This input-processing-output cycle is the fundamental operation of computing. Peripherals provide input/output, memory stores data, but the CPU does the transformation.

Multiple choice

Device drivers are

  1. Tiny power cords for external storage devices

  2. Experts who know how to maximize the performance of devices

  3. Small, special-purpose programs

  4. The innermost part of the operating system

  5. Substitutes for operating system
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Device drivers are small, special-purpose programs that act as translators between the operating system and hardware devices attached to the computer.

Multiple choice

A set of instructions telling the computer what to do is called

  1. Mentor

  2. Instructor

  3. Compiler

  4. Program

  5. Debugger
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A program is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. Mentors and instructors are people, not computer instructions. Compilers translate programs into machine code. Debuggers help find errors in programs. Only 'Program' correctly describes an instruction set for computer execution.

Multiple choice

Data are ________ in client/server computing.

  1. never sent to the client machine

  2. sent in very large sections to save processing time

  3. sent only upon the client's request

  4. sent in complete copies for the client to filter and sort

  5. sent from the client to the server for processing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In client/server computing, data is sent from the server to the client only when the client explicitly requests it (through queries or API calls). This reduces network traffic and ensures the client receives only the specific data it needs.

Multiple choice

A _____ sometimes called a boot sector virus, executes when a computer boots up because it resides in the boot sector of a floppy disk or the master boot record of a hard disk.

  1. system virus

  2. Trojan horse virus

  3. file virus

  4. macro virus

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

A boot sector virus specifically infects the boot sector or master boot record, activating when the computer starts up. The listed options (system virus, Trojan horse, file virus, macro virus) are different types of malware that operate through different mechanisms.

Multiple choice

A result of a computer virus can not lead to ___.

  1. Disk Crash

  2. Mother Board Crash

  3. Corruption of program

  4. Deletion of files

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Computer viruses are malicious software programs that infect software and data. They can cause crashes, file deletion, and program corruption. However, viruses cannot physically damage hardware components like the motherboard: that requires electrical issues, physical damage, or manufacturing defects.

Multiple choice

Fifth generation computers are

  1. data processors

  2. data interpreters

  3. knowledge processors

  4. encryptors
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Fifth generation computers (developed in the 1980s-1990s) were designed to process knowledge rather than just data. They focused on artificial intelligence, parallel processing, and natural language processing. Earlier generations processed data (1st-3rd) or interpreted data (4th). The shift to knowledge processing defines this generation.