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Chapter – 1 [Basic Concepts Of Information Technology] Short Questions And Answers
Q. What is a computer?
Ans. The computer is an electronic device or programmable machine that accepts data, processes it into useful information according to the instructions given to it, and gives output. It can store processing data on secondary storage devices for later use. There are four functions in this definition:
- Input
- Processing
- Output
- Storage
Q. What is data?
Ans. The collection of raw facts and figures is called data. Everything we give to the computer is called input. Data is entered into the computer through input devices, e.g. keyboard, mouse, etc.
Q. Define data processing/data computing.
Ans. The system that accepts data, manipulates it in the form of output, and delivers it in a useful and meaningful form is called data processing. The operations carried out on data to convert it into useful information are called data processing. CPU is a device that is used to process data arithmetically or logically in the form of output.
Q. Define information.
Ans. The organized and meaningful form of data after processing is called information.
Output devices show the results or information in the shape of output.
Q. What makes a computer powerful?
Ans. Speed, Reliability, Accuracy, Automation, and Storage make a computer powerful.
Q. What is the storage of data?
Ans. Storage of data is about keeping data on some storage media for future use. Storage devices are used to store data permanently. Secondary storage devices are CDs, Hard disks, Floppy disks, etc.
Q. Define Information Technology.
Ans. It is a technology that merges computing with high-speed communication links, carrying data in the form of text, sound, images, video, etc. from place to place over this global village (all over the world). Internet 1s is used as a source of information technology.
Q. Define digital convergence.
Ans. Digital convergence is the technological merger of various industries/enterprises through electronic gadgets exchanging information.
Q. Define a Program / Software.
Ans. A set of instructions given to the computer to solve any problem is called a program or software. There are two types of software: System software and Application Software.
Q. Define System Software.
Ans. It is used to control the usage and allocation of different hardware components and enables the other application programs to execute. This software is developed to control the hardware components. Operating systems (DOS, Windows, etc.), Utility programs (data backup programs, etc.); Drivers are the kinds of system software.
Q. What is an Application Software?
Ans. It is software that has been developed to solve specific problems or to provide audio, video, or multimedia entertainment to users. These are specially designed to solve the problems of users. Custom-built software and packaged software are two types of application programs.
Q. Define custom-built software.
Ans. This software is designed according to the requirements of a particular customer. These programs are developed by a professional team of programmers depending on the requirements. Patient information systems, Inventory systems, College admission systems, and Examination systems are examples.
Q. Define packaged software with examples.
Ans. These are also known as off-the-shelf programs. These are designed for sale to the general public and potential software developers. These facilitate users in all fields of life. Microsoft Office Package (MS Word, MS Excel, etc), ORACLE, Graphics software, and Communication programs are the examples
Q. What is a Hardware?
Ans. The physical parts of the computer are called hardware. Keyboard, Mouse, camera, scanner, bar code reader Monitor, Printers, RAM, ROM, Hard disk, Floppy disk, CD, Cables, Ports, Modem, network cards, Bridge, etc.
Q. What is an Input Devices?
Ans. The devices, which are used to enter data into the computer, are called input devices. The devices through which users can communicate with the computer. Keyboard, Pointing devices, and Source data entry devices are the types of input devices.
Q. What are pointing devices or point-and-draw devices?
Ans. Pointing devices control the position of the cursor or pointer on the screen. Mouse, Trackball, Pointing stick, Joystick, Touchpad, Touch screen, Light pen, Digitizing/graphic tablet, and Pen-based systems are examples.
Q. What are Source data entry devices?
Ans. These devices are used for direct data entry to computer systems. Examples are Bar-code readers, MICR, OMR, OCR, Magnetic strip cards, Smart cards, Fax machines, Video input devices, Digital cameras, etc.
Q. What is an audio circuit board?
Ans. Sound cards allow computers to produce sounds like music and voice. It is a circuit board that converts analog signals into digital form. The older sound cards were 8-bit. Nowadays 16, 32, and 64-bit cards are used. Microphones can capture sounds from the air which is good for sound effects or voices.
Q. What is a Video Capture card?
Ans. Video-capture card is used to convert films and videos into digital form. Video cards allow computers to display video and animation. Some video cards allow computers to display television channels as well as capture frames from the video. A video card with a digital video camera allows computer users to produce live video.
Q. What are output devices?
Ans. Output devices are the devices through which a computer can communicate with the user. We can view the processed information in the form of output on output devices. There are two types of output:
- Soft copy: It refers to data shown on screen or in audio or voice form.
- Hard copy: It refers to the printed output on paper.