4.

Short answer questions

a. Who is known as the ‘father of the modern computer’?

Ans: Charles Babbage

b. What is a computer ?

Ans: A computer is an electronic machine which

accepts data and instructions from a user,
processes the data as per the instruction given by
the user and gives the result to the user.

c. Name a popular pointing device.

Ans: Mouse

d. Who invented Jacquard’s loom

Ans: Joseph Jacquard

e. Give the full form of ENIAC and EDVAC.

Ans: ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical

Integrator And Calculator.

EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable

Automatic Calculator.

f. Give two examples of second generation computers .

Ans: IBM 604, IBM 1401

g. What is AI ?
Ans: AI is an emerging branch in computer science
which interprets the means and methods of making
computers think like human beings. With AI, a
machine particularly a computer can become
intelligent like human being.

h. Give two examples of secondary memories.

Ans: Hard Disk, Compact Disk

i. What does the CPU do ?

Ans: CPU is the processing unit of a computer. It

performs all types of processing on data. CPU is
also responsible for controlling the operations of
other units of a computer system.

j. Why we use secondary memory ?

Ans: As the primary memory of a computer is

volatile and has less storage capacity we use
secondary memory so that we can store a large
amount data and instructions permanently for later
use.

k. Give two example of pointing devices ?

Ans: Mouse and Track ball.

l. Which input device is used to record sound ?

Ans: Microphone

m. What is the use of Barcode Reader ?

Ans: Barcode Reader is used to read information
stored in bar codes. Barcodes are the long vertical
or horizontal stripes.

n. What is a system software ? Give two examples.

Ans: System software is a set programs used to

control hardware and operate a computer. It helps
in the smooth functioning of a computer system.

It provides a platform for running various

application software in a computer. System
software is classified in three categories such as
Operating System, Language Processors and Utility
software.

Two examples of system software

are Windows operating system, Quick heal
antivirus.

o. What is the role of CU ?

Ans: CU controls and coordinates between the

operations of other units of a computer system. It
does not process the data but controls the entire
processing of data inside the processing unit.

p. What is the function of ALU ?

And: ALU performs arithmetic calculations such as

addition, subtraction, Multiplication, division etc. It
also takes logical decisions such as <, > <=, >=,
== example. comparisons among data.

q. What do you understand by memory word ?

Ans: By memory we mean the storage space
available in a computer for storing data and
instructions for immediate use.

r. What is the function of compiler ?

Ans: Compiler is a translator which

converts/translates high level language into
machine language.

s. What is the main limitation of a computer ?

Ans: The main limitation of a computer is that it can

not take any decision on its own. It works
according to the instruction given by user.

t. Mention any three main features of a computer.

Ans: Speed, Accuracy, diligence.

u. What is a computer program ?

Ans : A computer program is a set of instructions

used to perform various tasks.

v. What are the fundamental components of a computer

system ?

Ans: The fundamental components of a computer

system are Input unit, Processing unit and Output
unit.

w. What is application software ?

Ans: Application software is a group of programs
used to perform some specific tasks.

x. Mention various categories of application software ?

Ans: General – purpose application software

Specific -purpose application software

y. What do you understand by computer memory ?

Ans: By Computer memory we mean the storage

locations to hold data and instructions for later
use.

z. What is the binary equivalent of hexadecimal 15 ?

Ans: 1111

5. a. Mention four features of a computer system ?

Ans: Following are the features of a computer system,

1. Speed: A computer works at a very high speed. It

gives us the result in a second no matter how complex
the calculation is.

2.Accuracy : A computer always gives us accurate

results. It never makes any mistakes. If the question is
correct, the answer produced by the computer will
also be correct.

3.Diligence: A computer never gets tired. It does not

get bored of doing the same work over and over again
even if it has to do the same work million times, it
does giving 100 Percent correct result.

4.Versatility: A computer is very versatile. It can

perform a series of different tasks one after another.

b. Mention the characteristic features of third-

generation computers ?

Ans: The characteristic features of third generation

computers are ,

i. The third generation computers are characterised by a

new hardware technology that is Integrated Circuit. It was
a thin chip made of silicon in which many transistors were
packed.

ii. Because of the use of Integrated Circuit , the

computers became more smaller, more reliable and more
faster.

iii. The computers in this generation used to consume

less electricity.

iv. Semi conductor memories were used as main

memory replacing earlier technology.

v. Certain new techniques such as pipelining and

multiprocessing were introduced to increase the speed of
program execution.

c. What do you understand by generation of

computers ? Mention two disadvantages of first
generation computers ?
Ans: Generation of computer refers to the advancements
of new computer technology. Generation of computer is
often used in relation to the hardware of computers.

Generations of computers were made based on the

technological advancement, size, power of the computer
etc.

Two disadvantages of first generation computers are

i. The size of the computers were very large in size that is

why It occupied a lot of space.

ii. It produced a lot of heat resulting in frequent

breakdown.

d. Describe the functioning of CPU .

Ans: CPU is called the brain of a computer. It is the

processing unit of a computer. All calculations on data
whether it is arithmetic or logical are performed inside
CPU.

CPU consists of three parts

i. ALU

ii. CU and

iii. Memory Unit

ALU performs arithmetic calculations on data. It also

performs comparisons among data such as whether
numbers are equal, greater than, less than etc.
CU is responsible for controlling and coordinating the
operations of other units in a computer system.

It works like a manager of a company. It does not process

data but it controls the processing of data inside CPU.

Memory Unit stores data and instructions feed by input

device in a computer. It stores data and instructions
immediately needed by CPU for processing. It holds data
before and after processing is done.

f. What are the categories of printers ? Explain .

Ans: Printers are divided into two distinct categories such

as

a. Impact printers and

b. Non impact printers

a. Impact printers: Impact printers are those printers in

which there exists physical contact between the print
head and the surface it prints on. It operates by striking a
metal or plastic head against an ink ribbon. The ink
ribbon is pressed against the paper marking the page
with appropriate character, dot, line or symbol.

Impact printers are subdivided into two categories such

as Line printers and character printers.

Line printers as the name suggests prints one line at a

time. Example of line printers are Drum printer and chain
printer.

Character printer prints one character at a time.

Example of Character printers are Letter quality printer
and Dot Matrix printer.

b. Non-impact printers : Non-impact printers are those

printers in which there is no physical contact between the
print head and the surface it prints on. Non impact
printers are faster than impact printers.

Non-impact printers are divided into four categories such

as Inkjet printers, Thermal printers, electromagnetic
printer and Laser printer.

g. What is a bus ? Explain three types of buses .

Ans: A bus in a computer system is an electric wire which

connects various components attached to it and transfer
data between them.

There are three types of buses such as

i. Data bus

ii. Address bus

and iii. Control bus.

Data bus: It carries data from memory to the CPU and

CPU to the memory. It is bidirectional.

Address bus: It carries address or location of the

data from CPU to the memory.

Control bus: It carries instructions or control signals

between CPU and other components of a computer
system.
h. What are the functions of primary storage area ?

Ans: The functions of primary storage area are as follows-

i. It holds data and instructions entered through input

device until it is sent to the processing unit.

ii. It holds intermediate results while data is being

processed .

iii. It holds final results after data is processed until it is

sent to secondary storage area.

i. Explain three types of ROM.

Ans: The three types of ROM are

a. PROM: PROM stands for Programmable Read Only

Memory. It is a type of ROM where a user can store
information once which is not erasable.

b. EPROM: EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable

Read Only Memory. It is type of ROM where the contents
stored in it can be erased by exposing it to ultra violet
light.

c. EEPROM: EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable

Programmable Read Only Memory. The information
stored in it can be rewritten by erasing it electrically.

j. What is the purpose of language processor ?

Explain the three language processor.
Ans: Language processor is a system software which
translates program written in high level language and
assembly language into its equivalent machine language.

The three types of language processor are Assembler,

Compiler and Interpreter.

Assembler: Assembler translates program written in

assembly language into its equivalent high level language
code.

Compiler: Compiler translates program written in

high level language into its equivalent machine
language in one go.

Interpreter: Interpreter translates the program line by

line written in high level language into its equivalent
machine language.

k. Differentiate between data and information.

Ans: Data means raw facts. Whatever we enter on the

keyboard is called Data. Data may or may not have
any meaning Whereas Information is the arrangement
of data in an organized manner. In other words
Information is the processed data.

l. Write short note on fifth generation computers.

Ans:

 Fifth generation computers are based on a new

hardware technology i.e. ULSI (Ultra Large Scale
 Integration). In ULSI millions of components can be
stored in a single chip.
 Fifth generation computers are based on
parallel processing in which several instructions can
be executed parallely resulting in faster execution.
 The new software technology used in fifth generation
computers is Artificial Intelligence which includes
areas like Expert system, Speech recognition and
Voice recognition etc.
 In fifth generation computers RAM, ROM are used as
primary storage.
 HDD & SDD are used as secondary storage.
 Various high level languages were developed in this
generation of computers like C, C++, Java,
Python .Net etc.
m. What are the basic differences between the
fourth generation of computers ?

Ans: The basic differences between four generations of

computers are as follows-

First generation computers

 The size of the computers were very large in first

generation computer. It occupied a lot of space.
 Vacuum Tubes were used in computers.
 It produced a lot of heat resulting in frequent
breakdown.
 The programs or instructions given to the computers
were in machine language.
 Punched cards were used as input devices.
 Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums were used
as secondary memory.
 Computer was accessible to only one programmer at
a time
  Examples of first generation computers are ABC,
ENIAC, Von Neuuman machine, EDVAC, UNIVAC
Second generation computers

 Second generation computers were technologically

more advanced than the first generation computers.
 Transistor was used instead of Vacuum Tubes in
computers.
 The computers were were smaller in size as
compared to first generation computers.
 Use of transistors increased the operating speed and
storage of computers.
 The operating cost of the computers reduced.
 Because of use of transistors less heat were
generated resulting in fewer breakdowns in
computers.
 The computers were reliable and faster than first
generation computers.
 A language was developed for writing programs
which consists of alphabets and numbers called as
Assembly language but it was still difficult to write
and understand. This brought about the development
of high level language. This language was made from
English words. The program were easier to write and
understand.
 The various computers developed during this period
were IBM 1400,IBM 7040, CDC 3600, GE 635, B300
etc.
Third generation computers

 The third generation computers are characterized by

a new hardware technology that is Integrated Circuit.
It was a thin chip made of silicon in which many
transistors were packed.
  Because of the use of Integrated Circuit , the
computers became more smaller, more reliable and
more faster.
 It resulted in reduction in cost of the computers
 The computers in this generation used to consume
less electricity.
 Semi conductor memories were used as main
memory replacing earlier technology.
 Certain new techniques were introduced to increase
the speed of program execution. These techniques
were pipelining and multiprocessing.
 The various computers developed in this generation
are IBM 360, Honeywell 200, B2000, ICL 1900 etc.
Fourth generation computers

 Fourth generation computers are characterized by

LSI i.e. Large Scale Integration and VLSI i.e. Very
large Scale Integration. In this technology thousands
of transistors could be packed in a single chip
making the computers more faster.
 The computers became more lighter and thinner.
 The cost of the computers reduced.
 The computers used to consume less electricity.
 The computers used to produce less heat so there
was no cooling requirement.
 The microprocessor were developed in this
generation of computers
 Sharing of resources were done using various
networks
 Many operating systems were developed like MS
DOS, UNIX, Windows, Macintosh etc. during this
period.
 n. Write a short note on Mark I.
 Ans: Howard Aiken an American Computer Engineer
with the support of IBM built the first
electromechanical computer named Mark I in 1943.
 It was able to multiply two 10 digit numbers in 5
seconds. It was the first machine which could
perform to pre programmed instruction
automatically.
 It was the first operational general purpose
computer.
 o. Explain the two main types of secondary
memory.
 Ans: The two main types of secondary memory are
magnetic Media and Optical Media.
 Magnetic Media
 The two types of Magnetic media are (i) Magnetic
Disk and (ii) Magnetic tape .
 Magnetic Disk : Magnetic Disk is coated with
magnetic material. It is composed of many tracks
and sectors. Each track has its own read/ Write
head for reading and writing data on disk.
 The examples of Magnetic Disks are Floppy Disk and
Hard Disk.
 Magnetic Tape :
 Magnetic tape is similar to casette tape we used
to record and play music. The reel was made of
polyster. It can be reused after modifying or
erasing old data in it. Magnetic tape drive is
required for reading and writing data in it.
 Optical Media:
 The optical Media are the optical disks and Solid
State storage devices where information are
stored and read using laser beam.
 Optical Disk:
 It is a flat circular disk and also a lightweight,
portable storage device.
 Examples of Optical Disks are CD, DVD, Blu Ray
Disk.
 Solid State Device:
 These devices use flash memory. Examples of
Solid State storage devices are Pen Drive,
Memory Card etc.
 p. Describe various types of magnetic media.
 Ans: The various types of magnetic media are (i)
Magnetic Disk and (ii) Magnetic Tape
 Magnetic Disk:
 Magnetic Disk is a circular disk which is coated with
magnetic material to store data. The disk is
composed of many tracks and sectors. Each track
has its own read/ Write head for reading and writing
data on disk. The example of Magnetic Disks are
Floppy Disk and Hard Disk.
 Floppy Disk
 It is a circular disk enclosed in plastic box. It was a
portable, lightweight removable storage device.
There were three sizes of floppy disk such as 3.5
inches, 5.25 inches and 8 inches. It could store data
up to 1.44 MB. As computers data and programs are
becoming large in size, floppy disk having lesser
storage capacity can not accomodate those. That is
why it has been replaced by other storage devices
now a days.
 Hard Disk
 Hard Disk is a high capacity storage device which
consists of several rapidly rotating disks called
platters. Each platter is coated with magnetic
material to represent data. Each platter has two
read/ write heads, One for each side of the disk. The
 whole equipment is packed in a sealed container to
prevent the surface of platters from heat, smoke, dirt
etc.
 Magnetic Tape:
 Magnetic tape is similar to cassette tape we used to
record and play music. It can be reused after
modifying or erasing old data in it. Magnetic tape
drive is required for reading and writing data in it.
 q. Mention some areas where computers are
used widely.
 Ans: Following are the areas where computers are
used widely
 (a) Education: Today computer has become an
important part of one’s education. computers are
used in educational field by teachers for taking
online classes, online examination, maintain students
records etc. Students use computers to access
internet, do projects and research works.
 (b) Banks: Almost every bank uses computers to
keep the records of money transactions and financial
documents. computers are also used to store the
details of customers and conduct transactions.
 (c) Medical field: computers have become an
important part in hospitals, labs and pharmacies.
computers are used to keep records of patients and
medicines. computers are used in diagnostic system
and patient monitoring system.
 (d) Communication: Communication has become
very easy and simple through internet and email.
Internet helps us to find information on any topic. It
is the easiest and fastest way of communication. we
use computer to communicate with each other
through email, chatting, video conferencing.
 (e) Business: Computer has now become an integral
part of corporate life. Now a days computers can be
found in every store, supermarkets, restaurants,
offices etc. We can buy and sell things online, pay
premium, pay bills etc.
 r. What are the major operations performed by a
computer ?
 Ans: A computer performs the following major
operations
 (i) Input: The first major operation performed by a
computer is to accept data and instruction from a
user.
 (ii) Process: After accepting data and instruction from
a user, computer starts processing on data according
to the instruction given by the user.
 (iii) Output: The third major operation performed by a
computer is to provide the result to the user.
 (iv) Store: Another major function performed by a
computer is to store the result in secondary storage
devices.