Short Answer Questions

 

Chapter 1

2. What three characteristics make the computer such a powerful tool?  Describe each.

3. How are computers generally classified? What are the five major categories of computers?  Briefly describe each.  Why is it difficult to make firm definitions of these categories?

4. What is computer software?  How is system software different from application software?

 

Chapter 2

  1. What is productivity software?  Briefly explain why each of the nine most widely used personal computer software applications described in this chapter can be considered productivity software.
  2. What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?  Describe the several common features included in most graphical user interfaces.
  3. How is word processing software different from desktop publishing software (DTP)?  Describe some of the major features of each type of software.  IN what ways are word processing software and desktop publishing software used together?
  4. What is the purpose of spreadsheet software?  Briefly describe an electronic spreadsheet.  How can a spreadsheet be a valuable tool for business decision making?
  5. How is presentation graphic software similar to analytical graphics?  How are they different?  Briefly describe the materials that can be created with presentation graphic packages.  In what way do presentation graphic packages help communicate information more effectively?

 

Chapter 3

  1. What is input?  List four types of input and briefly describe how the computer uses each type.
  1. How are a mouse, a trackball and a joystick similar?  How are they different?  What is the primary advantage of a mouse?  What are the disadvantages?  What advantage does a trackball have over a mouse?

 

Chapter 4

  1. How is RAM memory different from ROM memory?  For what purpose is each primarily used?  What is flash RAM or flash memory?  What is cache memory?
  2. How are parallel ports different from serial ports?  For what devices are each type of port used?  What is a SCSI port?  What is a MIDI port?

 

Chapter 5

  1. How are impact printers different from nonimpact printers?  Give at least two examples of each type of printer.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of each printing method?

5.            Although printers and display devices provide the majority of computer output, other devices are available for particular uses and applications.  List at least three output devices other than printers or display devices.  Briefly describe each.

 

Chapter 6

  1. How is data written to and read from a diskette?
  2. What is access time?  On what three factors does access time depend?  Briefly describe each.  Why is access time significantly faster for a hard disk than for a diskette?
  3. What two procedures should be performed on a regular basis to prevent the loss of disk data?  Explain each.

 

Chapter 7

  1. List seven examples of how communications technology is used.  Briefly describe each.
  1. What is communications software?  Describe four tasks that can be performed by communications software.
  2. What is a network?  How is a local area network (LAN) different from a wide area network (WAN)?  Briefly describe three common network topologies.

 

Chapter 8

  1. What is a single program operating system?  How is a multitasking operating system different from a multiprocessing operation system?  What is a virtual machine OS?
  1. What do Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, Macintosh and OS/2 have in common?  How are they different?  Why are earlier versions of Windows called operating environments?
  2. What are utility programs?  What re some of the tasks addressed by utility programs?  What is the purpose of s screen saver?

 

Chapter 9

NONE

 

Chapter 10

NONE

 

Chapter 11

NONE

 

Chapter 12

  1. What are the five steps in program development?  Briefly describe each.
  2. What do the sequence structure, selection structure and iteration structure have in common?  How are they different?
  3. How are machine languages and assemble languages different?  Why are both considered low-level languages?  In what way are low-level languages different from high-level languages?
  4. What is object-oriented programming (OOP)?  How are traditional programming methods different from OOP?  Why are OOP languages often described as being event-driven instead of procedural?
  5. What factors should be considered when choosing a programming language?  Briefly explain the importance of each.

 

Chapter 13

  1. How are a boot sector virus, a file virus and a Trojan horse virus different?  What is the purpose of an anti-virus program?  What do experts recommend to protect against being infected by a computer virus?
  2. What is software piracy?  What is software piracy a crime?  In addition to purchasing commercial software, in what other ways can an individual legally acquire software?

5.   What are computer ethics?  What five areas of computer ethics are frequently discussed?  Briefly explain each.

 

Chapter 14

NONE