Civil service quizzes

 Information can be defined as meaningfully interpreted data. If we give you a number 1-212-290-4700, it does not make any sense on its own. It is just a raw data. However if we say Tel: +1-212-290-4700, it starts making sense. It becomes a telephone number. So, from a system analyst's point of view, information is a sequence of symbols that can be construed to a useful message. An Information System is a system that gathers data and disseminates information with the sole purpose of providing information to its users. The main object of an information system is to provide information to its users. Information systems vary according to the type of users who use the system. • Data − The raw material of information. • Information − Data organized and presented by someone. • Knowledge − Information read, heard, or seen, and understood. • Wisdom − Distilled and integrated knowledge and understanding. Information processing refers to the manipulation of digitized information by

Computer main memory consists of primary and secondary memory. Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which computer is currently working. It has limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched off. It is generally made up of the semiconductor device. It is a volatile memory. The two types of primary memory are Random Access Memory (RAM) & Read Only Memory (ROM). RAM (Random Access Memory) - RAM is the internal memory of the CPU for storing data, program and result of the program. It is read/write memory which stores data till the machine is working. Some types of RAMs are Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Static RAM (SRAM) and Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc. Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) – Dynamic memory must be constantly refreshed, or it loses its contents. This type of memory is more economical. Static Random-Access Memory – SRAM is faster and less volatile than DRAM but requires more power and is more expensive. It does not need to be refreshed like a

A computer system has four basic components. Parts of a computer system Hardware - It represents the physical and tangible components of the computer (keyboard, mouse, monitor etc.) Software – It is a set of electronic instructions called programs that make the computer perform tasks. Data – It is a set of facts, which the computer stores and reads in the form of numbers. Users - Users are the people who make use of a computer to obtain certain results/ outcomes.Mother Board – It is the main printed circuit board of a computer that carries the central processing unit (CPU) chip, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM) and the basic input output system (BIOS) chip. BIOS looks for the system files during a boot process. A device driver or hardware driver is a group of files that enable one or more hardware devices to communicate with the computer's operating system. Supercomputers are sometimes called number crunchier. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has buil

General Purpose Computer –( work on all environments) A general purpose computer can perform an extensive variety of operations. It can store and execute different programs in its internal storage. All mainframes, servers, laptop and desktop computers, smartphones and tablets are general-purpose devices. Special Purpose Computer - Special purpose computers are designed to solve specific problems. The instructions are pre-programmed permanently in the computer. It completely controlled by automated manufacturing processes. Example – Aircraft control system, Electronic voting machines ATM machine etc. Based on Mode of Use Palmtop Computer – Palmtop computers are small which can fit in the palm of a hand. The electronic pen is used to give an input. They have small disk storage and can be connected to a wireless network.Laptop Computer – Laptop computers are portable with less weight. It can be transported easily and used in temporary space such as Airplane, Meetings etc. They are designe

The first-generation computers (1946-1959) were used vacuum tubes as the electronic components. They occupied a very large space and performed computations in milliseconds. It uses magnetic drum for primary storage. And punch cards for secondary storage Machine languages are used. Examples – EDSAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM-701, IBM-650 The second-generation computers (1959-1965) replaced Vacuum Tubes with Transistors. They used assembly languages and batch processing operating system. Magnetic cores and magnetic tapes were used as storage. Examples – IBM-1620, IBM -7094, CDC-1604, CDC-3600.Third Generation Computers – (1965-1971) replaced transistors with integrated circuits (ICs). They performed computation in Nanoseconds. Semi-conductors as primary memory and magnetic disks as secondary It used high-level languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL, ALGO68, BASIC was used. In this generation, remote processing, timesharing, multi-programming operating system were used. Examples - IBM-360 serie

Analog Computer - An Analog computer stores data continuously in the form of physical quantities and perform calculations with the help of measures. It produces output in the form of a graph. physical variables such as voltage, pressure, temperature, speed, etc. Digital Computer - A Digital computer is the most commonly used type of computer and is working with data represented in digital form, usually binary 0s and 1s. For example desktops , mainframe computers. It can perform faster and give more accurate results. They are extensively used for solving complex problems in the field of engineering & technology, design, research and data processing. Hybrid Computer – A Hybrid computer is a combined feature of Analog and Digital computers. In large industries and businesses, a hybrid computer can be used for logical operations as well as efficient processing of differential equations. E.g Ecg machine, HRS100 Based on Configuration Micro Computer – Microcomputers are small, inexpensi

Network Architecture It is the physical and logical design which denotes to the software, hardware, protocols and the media of transmission of data. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and Client/Server or tiered are the two types of widely used network architecture. Peer-to-Peer Architecture - Tasks are allocated to all the devices of the network. There is no hierarchy among the computers and all of them are considered equal. All computer can able to use resources available on this network. This is also known as a distributed architecture. It doesn’t use a server that controls network activity. Peer-to-peer is mostly used for file sharing. Client/Server Architecture – The server acts as a hub in which other computers (clients) are connected. The server manages and provides resources to any client that requests them. Other Terms used in networks Protocol - Protocol is a set of guidelines for exchanging data over a computer network, such as local area network, Internet, Intranet, etc. Ethernet - Etherne

The Output devices are used to send data from a computer to another device. Examples are monitors, projectors, speakers, plotters, and printers etc. Monitors – Monitors are the main output device of a computer. It forms images from tiny dots that are arranged in a rectangular form. The sharpness of the image depends on the number of pixels. Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) - The CRT display is made up of small picture elements called pixels. CRT tube creates an image on the screen using a beam of electrons. Flat- Panel Display - The flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have reduced volume, weight and power requirement in comparison to the CRT. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Monitor - LCD monitors use compact fluorescent tubes to illuminate and brighten the image on the screen and produce good image quality, resolution. Light Emitting Diode (LED) Monitor - LED monitors use new backlighting technology to improve picture quality. Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Monitor – Th

A peripheral device links to a computer system to enhance the functionality of the computer. It is not part of the core computer architecture. Input devices, output devices, and storage devices are the types of peripheral devices. Input devices serve as a link between a user and the computer. It allows users to feed instructions and data to computers for processing, display, storage and/or transmission. Some input devices are: 1)Keyboard – It is used to enter data into the computer in both alpha and numeric forms. We use qwerty keyboard. Some important keys in a keyboard are: Toggle Keys - It is used to change the input mode of a group of keys on a keyboard. Caps Lock, Num Lock, Scroll Lock are toggle keys. Caps Lock – Capitalizes all letters. Num Lock – Makes sure numbers are inputs from the keypad. Scroll Lock - Allows the arrow keys to scroll through the contents of a window. Modifier Keys - It is a special key (key combination) that temporarily modifies the normal action of another

Basic Information Concepts Information can be defined as meaningfully interpreted data. If we give you a number 1-212-290-4700, it does not make any sense on its own. It is just a raw data. However if we say Tel: +1-212-290-4700, it starts making sense. It becomes a telephone number. So, from a system analyst's point of view, information is a sequence of symbols that can be construed to a useful message. An Information System is a system that gathers data and disseminates information with the sole purpose of providing information to its users. The main object of an information system is to provide information to its users. Information systems vary according to the type of users who use the system. • Data − The raw material of information. • Information − Data organized and presented by someone. • Knowledge − Information read, heard, or seen, and understood. • Wisdom − Distilled and integrated knowledge and understanding. Information processing refers to the manipulation of digitize

The Basic Diagram of the Computer consists of Input Unit, Output Unit and Central Processing Unit. The input unit is used for giving instructions and data by using input devices. It converts these instructions and data to the computer acceptable format and it supplies the converted instructions and data to the computer system for further processing. Central Processing Unit The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the processing inside a computer. CPUs have been constructed on a single integrated circuit called a microprocessor. It consists of the control unit, the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and the memory unit. Control Unit The control unit manages the computer's various components. It reads and interprets (decodes) the program instructions, transforming them into control signals that activate other parts of the computer. Arithmetic Logic Unit The ALU can perform arithmetic and logical operations. The set of arithmetic operations that an ALU supports to addition, subtr

A Computer is an electronic device that performs calculations and operations based on instructions provided by a software or hardware program. Characteristics of Computers Speed, Accuracy, Diligence, Versatility, Storage. History of Computers Abacus was the first counting device which was developed in China. It consists of a rectangular wooden frame and beads. The device is used to perform simple addition and subtraction. Napier’s Bones It was a device which contained a set of rods made of bones. It was developed by a Scottish Mathematician, John Napier. To perform multiplication and division, Pascaline was the first calculating device with a capability to perform additions and subtractions on whole numbers. It was developed by Blaise Pascal, a French Mathematician. The device made up of interlocked cog wheels having numbers 0 to 9 on its circumference. Punched Card System was invented by Herman Hollerith, an American Statistician. It was used for storing and retrieving data. Babbage

A database management system (DBMS) a computer program designed for creating and managing the database. It provides a systematic way to run operations like creating, storing, retrieving,deleting data from the database. It ACTS as an interface between the database and end users. It also provides protection and security to the databases. MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, IBM DB2, PostgreSQL, Amazon Simple DB (cloudbased) are some popularly used DBMS. Advantages of DBMS Reduced Data redundancy Data security and consistency Easily accessible Integrity constraints Disadvantages of DBMS Larger in size ,Complexity , Licensed DBMS are costly

1. The main purpose of the supercomputer is ? A) High speed calculations B) Weather forecasting C) Data Retreieval operations D) None of tne above ... Answer is A) High speed calculations. Show Answer