ISDS 1100 Midterm – practice exam questions with answers and comprehensive revision
material
computer - correct answer ✔✔a device that performs the information-processing cycle
information-processing cycle - correct answer ✔✔consists of four basic operations: input,
processing, output, and storage.
computer system - correct answer ✔✔a group of associated components that work together.
Computer system components are categorized into two main groups: - correct answer
✔✔Hardware
Software
Hardware - correct answer ✔✔is made up of the physical parts of the computer and includes
such components as the system unit, monitor, keyboard, and printer.
Software - correct answer ✔✔made up of all the programs that instruct the computer
System software - correct answer ✔✔includes the programs that assist with the proper
functioning of the computer.
Application software - correct answer ✔✔includes the programs used to perform tasks
Input - correct answer ✔✔the first operation of the information-processing cycle, enables the
computer to accept data.
Data - correct answer ✔✔refers to facts that are raw and unorganized
,input devices - correct answer ✔✔Data is entered into the computer for processing
Processing - correct answer ✔✔the second operation of the information-processing cycle,
converts data into information
Information - correct answer ✔✔refers to consolidated, organized, processed data.
The central processing unit (CPU) - correct answer ✔✔processes data into information
Random access memory (RAM) - correct answer ✔✔temporarily stores programs and data
needed by the CPU.
Output - correct answer ✔✔the third operation of the information-processing cycle, requires
output devices - correct answer ✔✔such as monitors and printers to display results for people
to see or hear.
Storage - correct answer ✔✔the fourth operation of the information-processing cycle, holds
programs, software, and data that the computer system uses
Storage devices - correct answer ✔✔include hard drives, CD and DVD drives, and media card
readers that are used with USB drives and flash memory cards.
Communications - correct answer ✔✔is the high-speed movement of data or information.
communication device - correct answer ✔✔is a hardware component that moves data into and
out of a computer
, network - correct answer ✔✔connects two or more computers to share input/output devices
and other resources through the use of a network interface card.
Computers can be separated into two main types: - correct answer ✔✔Computers for
individuals are normally designed for one user at a time.
Computers for organizations are designed to be used by many people at the same time.
Personal computers (PCs) - correct answer ✔✔are generally either Mac (Apple's Macintosh)
systems or IBM-compatible systems
Desktop computers - correct answer ✔✔designed for home or office desk use, now include all-
in-one computers that combine the system unit and the monitor.
Notebook computers - correct answer ✔✔are small enough for easy computer mobility
Subnotebooks - correct answer ✔✔run full desktop operating systems but have fewer
components than notebooks, weigh less, and are smaller.
Tablet PCs - correct answer ✔✔can be used to input data with a keyboard or mouse, and the
user can write on the monitor with a special pen or stylus.
Netbooks - correct answer ✔✔are small, inexpensive notebooks designed primarily for wireless
Web browsing and e-mail.
Smartphones - correct answer ✔✔combine the capabilities of handheld computers, such as
PDAs, and mobile phones.
material
computer - correct answer ✔✔a device that performs the information-processing cycle
information-processing cycle - correct answer ✔✔consists of four basic operations: input,
processing, output, and storage.
computer system - correct answer ✔✔a group of associated components that work together.
Computer system components are categorized into two main groups: - correct answer
✔✔Hardware
Software
Hardware - correct answer ✔✔is made up of the physical parts of the computer and includes
such components as the system unit, monitor, keyboard, and printer.
Software - correct answer ✔✔made up of all the programs that instruct the computer
System software - correct answer ✔✔includes the programs that assist with the proper
functioning of the computer.
Application software - correct answer ✔✔includes the programs used to perform tasks
Input - correct answer ✔✔the first operation of the information-processing cycle, enables the
computer to accept data.
Data - correct answer ✔✔refers to facts that are raw and unorganized
,input devices - correct answer ✔✔Data is entered into the computer for processing
Processing - correct answer ✔✔the second operation of the information-processing cycle,
converts data into information
Information - correct answer ✔✔refers to consolidated, organized, processed data.
The central processing unit (CPU) - correct answer ✔✔processes data into information
Random access memory (RAM) - correct answer ✔✔temporarily stores programs and data
needed by the CPU.
Output - correct answer ✔✔the third operation of the information-processing cycle, requires
output devices - correct answer ✔✔such as monitors and printers to display results for people
to see or hear.
Storage - correct answer ✔✔the fourth operation of the information-processing cycle, holds
programs, software, and data that the computer system uses
Storage devices - correct answer ✔✔include hard drives, CD and DVD drives, and media card
readers that are used with USB drives and flash memory cards.
Communications - correct answer ✔✔is the high-speed movement of data or information.
communication device - correct answer ✔✔is a hardware component that moves data into and
out of a computer
, network - correct answer ✔✔connects two or more computers to share input/output devices
and other resources through the use of a network interface card.
Computers can be separated into two main types: - correct answer ✔✔Computers for
individuals are normally designed for one user at a time.
Computers for organizations are designed to be used by many people at the same time.
Personal computers (PCs) - correct answer ✔✔are generally either Mac (Apple's Macintosh)
systems or IBM-compatible systems
Desktop computers - correct answer ✔✔designed for home or office desk use, now include all-
in-one computers that combine the system unit and the monitor.
Notebook computers - correct answer ✔✔are small enough for easy computer mobility
Subnotebooks - correct answer ✔✔run full desktop operating systems but have fewer
components than notebooks, weigh less, and are smaller.
Tablet PCs - correct answer ✔✔can be used to input data with a keyboard or mouse, and the
user can write on the monitor with a special pen or stylus.
Netbooks - correct answer ✔✔are small, inexpensive notebooks designed primarily for wireless
Web browsing and e-mail.
Smartphones - correct answer ✔✔combine the capabilities of handheld computers, such as
PDAs, and mobile phones.
