Past Questions
Title: COS 101 Exam Questions Most Repeated Questions and Answer (PDF)
URL: https://studentsdash.com/cos-101-exam-questions/
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PART 1
Studentsdash COS 101 Past Questions Pdf
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PART 2
1. What are the three distinct units of a functional unit of a computer system?
Answer: The input unit, central processing unit, and output unit.
2. Name four functions that a computer performs.
Answer:
Takes data as input
Stores data/information when use is required
Processes data and converts it into useful information
Outputs the information
3. What are the two basic components a computer system is generally made up of?
Answer: Hardware components and software components.
4. List five characteristics of a computer.
Answer: Diligence, speed, accuracy, storage, versatility.
5. List five advantages of using computers.
Answer:
Computers are very fast.
Computers are very accurate.
Computers have much more storage capacity than human beings.
A computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration.
Computers can work continuously without creating any error and boredom.
6. What are the five computer generations?
Answer:
First Generation: 1946–1959
Second Generation: 1959–1965
Third Generation: 1965–1971
Fourth Generation: 1971–1980
Fifth Generation: 1980-onwards
7. What are the three classifications of computers based on how a computer works?
Answer: Analogue, digital, and hybrid computers.
8. What are the two classifications of computers based on purpose?
Answer: Special-purpose and general-purpose computers.
9. What are the benefits of branded computers?
Answer:
Systems engineered by vendor in its entirety
Consistent performance and compatibility
Certified by third-party vendors
ISO compliance
Bundled software and drivers
Financial stability of vendor
On-site service
10. What is data?
Answer: Data is a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans or machines.
11. What is the difference between analogue and digital signals?
Answer: Analogue signal is a continuous waveform that changes over time, while a digital signal is a non-continuous, discrete-time signal.
12. What is the function of the backspace key on a keyboard?
Answer: It deletes the character before the current cursor position or the last character in a line.
13. What is the function of the control section within the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
Answer: It directs the flow of operations, interprets program instructions, and coordinates other CPU parts. It does not process actual operations.
14. What role does the arithmetic-logic section play in a computer system?
Answer: It performs arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and logic operations (comparison, conditions, etc.).
15. What are the four purposes of the internal storage section?
Answer:
Retain data during processing
Hold intermediate results
Store processing results
Store program instructions
16. What is the function of the output unit of a computer?
Answer: It receives processed data from the CPU and sends it to output devices like monitors, printers, or storage devices.
17. What is the Abacus?
Answer: A 5,000-year-old device used for computations using sliding beads on a rack.
18. What is the Difference Engine?
Answer: A mechanical calculator designed to compile and print mathematical tables and perform calculations.
19. What are the characteristics of first-generation computers?
Answer: Used vacuum tubes, were large, unreliable, slow, consumed much power, supported only machine language, and generated a lot of heat.
20. What are the characteristics of fifth-generation computers?
Answer: Use ULSI technology, have artificial intelligence, support natural language and parallel processing, are compact, fast, and affordable.
21. What is a special-purpose computer?
Answer: A computer designed for a specific task like traffic control, navigation, or robotics.
22. What is the difference between branded and cloned computers?
Answer: Branded computers are made by well-known companies with good support. Cloned computers are assembled from parts, cheaper, and customizable but may lack support.
23. What is information?
Answer: Organized or classified data that has meaning and is useful in making decisions or taking actions.
24. What is the function of the Windows key on a keyboard?
Answer: It opens the Start menu in Windows operating systems and was first introduced before Windows 95.
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PART 3
Flashcards: Fundamentals of Computer Systems
Question
: Definition of a Computer System
Answer
: An electronic data processing machine which accepts and stores input data (raw facts and figures), processes the data input, and outputs the processed data (information) in a required format.
Question
: Functional Units of a Computer System
Answer
: Input unit, central processing unit, and output unit.
Question
: Input Unit
Answer
: A computer must receive both data and program statements to function properly and be able to solve problems. Input devices accomplish feeding data and programs to a computer.
Question
: Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Answer
: The brain of a computer system that transfers data to one or various processing units. It consists of a control section, an arithmetic-logic section, and an internal storage section.
Question
: Control Section
Answer
: The control section directs the flow of traffic and maintains order within the computer.
Question
: Arithmetic-Logic Section (ALU)
Answer
: The arithmetic-logic section performs arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Question
: Internal Storage Section
Answer
: The internal storage section serves for retention.
Question
: Output Unit
Answer
: As program statements and data are received by the CPU from an input device, the results of the processed data are sent from the CPU to an output device.
Question
: Hardware Components
Answer
: The general collection of all physical parts of a computer system. Computer hardware is what you can physically touch.
Question
: Software Components
Answer
: A software component is a collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer, its hardware, or perform tasks.
Question
: Advantages of using a computer
Answer
:
○ A very fast machine
○ Very accurate
○ Has much more storage capacity than human beings
○ Free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration
○ Can work continuously without creating any error and boredom
○ Very flexible in performing jobs
○ A versatile machine
Question
: Disadvantages of using a computer
Answer
:
○ Has no intelligence of its own
○ Cannot take any decision on its own
○ Cannot perform functions except as instructed
○ Has no feelings or emotions
Question
: First-generation computers
Answer
:
○ Time period: 1946–1959
○ Vacuum tube based
Question
: Second-generation computers
Answer
:
○ Time period: 1959–1965
○ Transistor based
Question
: Third-generation computers
Answer
:
○ Time period: 1965–1971
○ Integrated circuit based
Question
: Fourth-generation computers
Answer
:
○ Time period: 1971–1980
○ VLSI Microprocessor based
Question
: Fifth-generation computers
Answer
:
○ Time period: 1980–onwards
○ ULSI Microprocessor based
Question
: Analogue Computer
Answer
: A computer that uses the continuously changeable aspects of physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.
Question
: Digital Computers
Answer
: Digital computers use the binary arithmetic concept where numbers and letters are represented by combinations of zeros and ones (0 and 1).
Question
: Hybrid Computers
Answer
: Hybrid computers possess the attributes of both analogue and digital computers.
Question
: Special-Purpose Computers
Answer
: A special-purpose computer is designed for a specific application.
Question
: General-Purpose Computers
Answer
: General-purpose computers are used to handle a variety of tasks.
Question
: Mainframe computers
Answer
: Very huge computers with large memory and processing capabilities and can support hundreds of users simultaneously.
Question
: Minicomputers
Answer
: Medium-sized computers much larger than personal computers and support multiple users simultaneously.
Question
: Microcomputers
Answer
: Can support only one user at a time.
Question
: Supercomputers
Answer
: Supercomputers are the fastest type of computer and can execute programs very quickly.
Question
: Benefits of Branded Computers
Answer
: Systems engineered by vendor in its entirety, resulting in consistent performance and compatibility.
Question
: Drawbacks of Branded Computers
Answer
: Higher price.
Question
: Benefits of Cloned/Assembled Computers
Answer
: Lower price.
Question
: Drawbacks of Cloned/Assembled Computers
Answer
: Multi-vendor responsibility for part warranty.
Question
: Data
Answer
: Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner, suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or electronic machine.
Question
: Information
Answer
: Information is organized or classified data so that it has some meaningful value to the receiver.
Question
: Analogue Signal
Answer
: An analogue signal is a kind of continuous waveform that changes over time.
Question
: Digital Signals
Answer
: A digital signal is a non-continuous, discrete-time signal.
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