Oxford Computer Whiz 3rd Edition. Study Notes and Solved Exercises

Lesson #1 Reviewing Computers

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

Q1: What are three important characteristics of computers?

Answer:

1. A computer is very accurate.

2. It stores all the information in its memory.

3. It can work continuously without stopping.

Q2: Which computer should banks use? State your reason.

Ans: Banks should use Mainframe computers because those are very powerful and stores a long data.

Q3: How is a supercomputer different from a mainframe?

Ans: Super computer works on a single problem at a time but mainframes can solve many problems at a time.

Q4: List the difference between analog and digital devices.

Ans: Devices that process analog data are analog devices. Devices that process digital data are called digital devices.

Q5: Define input and output device?

Ans: Devices used to enter data into the computer are called input devices. Devices used to display processed data are called output devices.

Lesson #2 Pioneers of Computers

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

Q1: Who was the Blaise Pascal and what did he invent?

Ans: Blaise Pascal was a mathematicians and he invent Pascaline calculator.

Q2: What did Lebniz develop? In what way he was successful?

Ans: The Labniz develop the Lebniz Calculator. He was successful because it can multiply and divide

Q3: Why is Babbage called the father of the modern computer?

Ans: Because all the computers today are based on his plans and ideas.

Q4: Why is Herman Hollerith considered a pioneer of computers?

Ans: Because of his inventions.

Lesson #3 About the CPU

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

Q1: Why is the CPU called the brain of the computers?

Ans: Because it controls and processes all the information in the computer.

Q2: Name the three components of the CPU.

Ans: (i) ALU

(ii)CU

(iii) MU

Q3: How is the ALU different from the CU?

Ans: The ALU calculates but CU directs different parts of the computer to carry out instructions.

Q4: Why are the disks in hard disk drive sealed in an air tight?

Ans: To protect from the dust.




Lesson # 4 Storing Data

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

Q1: List two main differences between RAM and ROM.

Ans: (1) RAM stands for random access memory.

ROM stands for read only memory.

(2) RAM is temporary memory.

ROM is permanent memory.

Q2: What do you understand by the term primary storage?

Ans: Primary storage can be directly accessed by the CPU.

Q3: Can a magnetic disk be used to store new data more than once?

Ans: Yes.

Q4: Name some commonly used secondary storage devices.

Ans: Hard drivers, CDs, DVDs, USB and Blue-ray disks.

Q5: Why is it important to make back-up copies of data on secondary storage devices?

Ans: The hard drive falls, and you can lose all your saved data .That is why it is important to make back-up copies.

Lesson # 5

Whiz through Software

Questions:

Q1: Define software.

Ans: Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do and how to do it.

Q2: What is the difference between system software and application software?

Ans: System software is used to control and manage the different parts of a computer.

Application software is used to perform specific tasks on the computer.

Q3: Which software is used to design a brochure?

Ans: Desktop Publishing software.

Q4: What does data base management software enable you to do?

Ans: It enables us to manage, store and retrieve a large amount of data such as a mailing list.