Q1] Define hardware and Software.

A. Hardware: The physical components of the computer which you can touch, see and
feel are called hardware. Examples: Monitor, speaker, keyboard, printer, microphone etc.

Software: The logical parts of the computer which you can see only. (Or)

Such applications which make the hardware to work. (Or)

Set of instructions given to the computer to perform a task. Examples: MS Word, windows
7, 8, 10, compiler, 3D studio Max, Flash MX etc.

Q2] Name the types of software and explain them.

Software has two types Application software and system software.

System software are programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the
user to communicate with the computer. Example: Operating system, compiler, linkers,
loaders etc.

Application software are programs that are used to perform a specific task

Example: MS Word used for documentation. Winrar is used for compression etc

Q3] What is an operating system?

It is a platform on which we can run alot of computer applications, it allows the computer
system to function and allows the user to communicate with it. Example: window xp, 7,
8, 10, linux etc (OR)

It is a collection of programs to control and manage all of the software and hardware of
the computer system.

Q4] Write down the tasks performed by an Operating system.

 Memory management
 Maintaining security of the system
 Maintaining log files
 Allows communication with the user and the computer system (user interface)
 Dealing with errors that occur in programs
 Control of input/output and storage devices

MZT Chapter 1 (Types and components of computer system)

Q5] What is a Phablet?
Phablet is a large smart phone. It has the functionality of a smart phone but is as large
as a tablet. It got its name from Phone and Tablet.

Q6] Name the components of a computer system.

1. Central 2. Internal / Main 3. Input / Output 4. Backing storage

processing memory devices
unit (CPU)

Arithmetic logic Random access Mouse, keyboard, HDD, SSD, CD,

unit (ALU) memory (RAM) Joystick, Touch pad, DVD, Blu-ray disk,
light pen, tracker ball, Flash drives etc.
Control unit (CU) Read only memory
Microphone, scanner,
(ROM)
Clock camera etc.

Registers Monitor, Printer,

projector, speaker,
plotter etc.

Q7] Write down the functions of the following components.

Component Function

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) ALU performs all the arithmetic (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division) and logical (comparison)
operations / calculations.

Control unit (CU) It controls the execution of program instructions and the
processing of data by sending out control signals to the
other parts of CPU such as ALU, registers, input and
output devices.

Register These are memory locations within the CPU. Registers

store the data that is currently being used by the CU.

Clock A quartz crystal that send pulses to control the rate at

which the CPU processes the instructions

Q8] What is meant by WIMP?

W I M P

Windows Icons Menus Pointing devices

MZT Chapter 1 (Types and components of computer system)

Q9] Write the memory units used for storing data.

4 bits = 1 Nibble

8 bits = 1 Byte

1000 bytes = 1 Kilobyte (KB)

1000 KB = 1 Megabyte (MB)

1000 MB = 1 Gigabyte (GB)

1000 GB = 1 Terabyte (TB)

Q10] Differentiate between a GUI and CLI.

GUI CLI

Graphical user interface Command line interface

User doesn’t need to learn any commands. User needs to learn number of commands
Icons, menus and dialogue boxes are used to carry out basic operations.
for operations.

User is limited to the icons provided on the User is not limited to a number of
screen. predetermined options. User is limited to
only commands.

Uses more computer memory than a CLI. Commands don’t consume lots of
computer memory.

More user friendly (easy to use). Not user friendly.

It needs an operating system such as The user is in direct communication with

windows to operate. the computer.

A pointing device such as mouse is used to Commands are required to launch or

click on an icon to launch/open the perform an operation. Commands are very
application/program. difficult to remember and edit.

Q11] Explain the following terms.

Compiler
Compiler is a kind of system software, which converts programs written by human in
high-level language into codes that the microprocessor can understand (1’s and 0’s).
Every programming language has a compiler of its own. (OR)

MZT Chapter 1 (Types and components of computer system)

A program that converts instructions into a machine-code or lower-level form so that
they can be read and executed by a computer.

Linkers
Linkers take one or more of the files produced by the compiler and combines them into
a program that the microprocessor can execute.

Device drivers
A device driver is a special kind of software program that controls a specific hardware
device attached to a computer. Device drivers are essential for a computer to work
properly. Device drivers allow the processor to communicate with devices such as the
keyboard, mouse, monitor and printer.

(AI) Artificial intelligence

It refers to computer systems that are able to perform tasks that would normally be
carried out by humans or where a task is too boring or dangerous and repeatedly to be
done by humans. It is the branch of computer science in which artificially intelligent
machines are build for the benefit of mankind.

Machine learning

The ability of computers / machines to learn without being explicitly programmed.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that appear
to be real, by using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside
or gloves fitted with sensors.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality is an interactive experience that combines the real world and
computer-generated content (virtual environment).

Extended reality

It is a virtual or a combined virtual and real environment.

Q12] Write down four uses of desktop computers.

1) Office work and business management (word processing, spreadsheets,

databases)
2) Management in education and student learning
3) Playing computer and online games
4) Entertainments like watching movies, editing images, audios and videos

MZT Chapter 1 (Types and components of computer system)

Q13] Explain what is a Dialogue based interface. Write advantages and dis-
advantages also.

A dialogue-based interface allows the user to interact with a computer through spoken
words.

These kind of interfaces are common in modern cars where a user can give spoken
commands to the operating system to make a phone call, switch to a particular radio
channel or plot a route to a destination. This interface is also available in smart homes.

Advantages:

 Allows hands free control

 It’s safer when operating machinery such as driving
 Useful for disabled people

Disadvantages:
 User has to learn commands
 User has to train the interface with voice
 Not reliable if background noise is there
 Complex to program
 Costly also

Q14] Explain what is a Gesture based interface. Write advantages and dis-
advantages also.

A gesture-based interface uses computer sensors to detect and understand human

gestures and movements (face and hands) without touching the device.
Partial gesture based interfaces are available in smartphones and tablets where the user
has to swipe the screen in a particular way to open and close the programs.

Advantages:

 No mouse or other pointing devices needs to be used

 No commands need to be entered
 User does not need to touch the screen (prevents spread of disease)

Disadvantages:
 User may get fatigued after performing the gestures
 User has to wear motion tracking gloves
 System is required to recognize face movements and hand gestures

MZT Chapter 1 (Types and components of computer system)