Computer Fundamental Questions Answers

1. What is an IC? How it helps in reducing the size of computers?

Ans: IC stands for Integrated Circuits. It is an electronic circuit. An IC is the fundamental building block of all modern electronic devices. It’s an integrated system of multiple miniaturized and interconnected components embedded into a thin substrate of semiconductor material.

IC’s help to reduce the size of the computer because it is simply a small chip that is embedded with all the information needed. A single IC chip can hold literally thousands of microscopic transistors and circuits. Because the chip is so small, the sizes of computers can be reduced.

 

Integrated circuits, or ICs, are a key technology that is used to reduce the size of computers. ICs are essentially tiny electronic circuits that can be made to perform a wide variety of functions. By incorporating many different electronic components onto a single piece of silicon, ICs allow engineers to build more powerful, more compact, and more energy-efficient devices.

IC is particularly useful for computers, which are inherently complex and require many different types of electronic components to function. One of the main ways that ICs are used to reduce the size of computers is through the use of microprocessors. A microprocessor is a type of IC that contains a central processing unit (CPU), which is the "brain" of a computer. By integrating the CPU onto a single chip, engineers can greatly reduce the size and power consumption of the computer.

 

2.   Describe functions and characteristics of DRAM.

Ans:

Functions of DRAM:

DRAM, unlike SRAM must be continually refreshed in order to maintain the data. This is done by placing the memory on a refresh circuit that rewrites the data several hundred times per second. DRAM is used for most system memory as it is cheap and small.

DRAM (pronounced DEE-RAM), is widely used as a computer’s main memory.  It is a type of semiconductor memory, typically used for the data or program code needed by a computer’s processor to function. DRAM is a common type of random access memory (RAM) that is used in personal computers (PCs), workstations and servers.

DRAM is the most common type of computer memory and is widely available. DRAM is widely used in digital electronics where low-cost and high-capacity memory is required. One of the largest applications for DRAM is the main memory (called the “RAM”) in modern computers and graphics cards (where the “main memory” is called the graphics memory). It is also used in many portable devices and video game consoles. 

 

Characteristics of DRAM:

i.  DRAM is widely used as systems primary storage media

ii. DRAM is volatile storage, so it can’t hold data without power.

iii.  It has a short data retention period.

iv.  DRAM is known to be a fast memory.

v.   Cost-effective. DRAM is less expensive in comparison to SRAM

vi.  More energy is consumed .The power consumption by DRAM is more than SRAM.

vii.  DRAM can hold more data than other RAM types, such as SRAM.

 

3. What is a ROM? Why is it called so? Write about a few typical use of ROM.

Ans: ROM stands for Read Only Memory. It is a memory (storage medium) which could only be read. Once data is written on a ROM chip, it cannot be removed. It is a memory chip whose main function is to store data.

ROM contains information (usually programs) that can be repeatedly read by the computer but cannot be modified. It is a non-volatile memory. The data stored in it is not lost when power is turned off.

The reason ROM is termed read-only memory is that the data and programs that are stored within it can be read but not written. It is a memory that is used to stored information permanently. The manufacturer loads immutable programs into the ROM at the time of production. Therefore, once it has been produced, we cannot reprogram, rewrite, or remove its data.

We can only read the data of ROM and cannot make any changes to it. It is called read-only memory as we can only read and store the programs on it but cannot write on it.

Uses of ROM:

 

ROM holds all control programs and instructions which are needed for operating of computer system and its hardware components such as keyboard, mouse, printer, and more.

A computer's ROM stores the basic input-output system (BIOS) information. This gives the computer the information it requires to load an operating system.

It also protects program and software instructions. We know that ROM memory does not allow modifying and rewrite data, so it delivers to measure of protection against accidental alter to its data.

 

4. What are the various types of ROM?

Ans:  Types of ROM: 

PROM: 

PROM stands for Programmable Read-Only Memory, a memory chip on which data can be written only once. Once a program has been written onto a PROM, it remains there forever. The difference between a PROM and a ROM (read-only memory) is that a PROM is manufactured as blank memory, whereas a ROM is programmed during the manufacturing process. To write data onto a PROM chip, we need a special device called a PROM programmer or PROM burner. The process of programming a PROM is sometimes called burning the PROM.

EPROM: 

EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, and pronounced ee-prom. EPROM is a special type of memory that retains its contents until it is exposed to ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light clears its contents, making it possible to reprogram the memory. To write to and erase an EPROM, we need a special device called a PROM programmer or PROM burner.

 

EEPROM: 

EEPROM stands for of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. EEPROM is a special type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge. Like other types of PROM, EEPROM retains its contents even when the power is turned off. Also like other types of ROM, EEPROM is not as fast as RAM.

 

5.   Differentiate between PROM and EPROM.

Ans: The main difference between PROM and EPROM is that PROM is programmable only once while EPROM is reprogrammable using ultraviolet light.

PROM	EPROM
Stands for Programmable Read-Only Memory.	Stands for Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory.
It is not reusable. Once the data has been written to a PROM chip, it cannot be easily erased or changed.	It is reusable. We can rewrite/erase the content present on an EPROM easily.
It is a read-only type of memory storage system.	It may be both a read and write memory storage system.
Bipolar transistor is used in the construction of PROM.	MOS transistor is used in the construction of PROM.
It is the older and outdated version of EPROM.	It is the newer and updated version of PROM.
PROM is inexpensive.	EPROM is expensive in comparison to PROM.

6.  What is a cache memory? How is it different from a primary memory?

Ans: The Cache Memory (Pronounced as “cash”) is the small sized volatile computer memory which is very nearest to the CPU. It is a high-speed memory that is used to store frequently accessed data. Whenever it is required, this data is made available to the CPU at a rapid rate. It does not need to go to the main memory or the hard disk to fetch the data.

 

Cache memory is smaller and faster than primary (main) memory. It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.

A cache is more expensive than RAM, but it can improve a computer’s overall performance by reducing the time needed to access data.

Cache memory Stores frequently used data and instructions required by the CPU while primary memory stores program data for all applications running on the system.

 

7. What is software? Discuss the importance of software in a computer system.

Ans: Software is a collection of programs that that enable a user to perform some specific tasks. It is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks.

Software is needed because it provides the instructions that computers use to perform tasks and provide solutions to problems. It acts as interface between the hardware components and the user, enabling us to perform tasks, manage data and run applications.

A computer needs software to perform tasks such as editing documents, playing games, accessing the internet. Without software, a computer would simply be a collection of hardware components and would not be able to perform any task. Any function of the computer is done by software.

Computer software is the detailed instructions that control the operation of a computer system. Computer software is divided into two major types, which is system software and application software.

System software controls a computer’s internal functioning, chiefly through an operating system, and also controls such peripherals as monitors, printers, and storage devices. It is a set of programs that manage the computer’s resources, such as CPU, communication links, and peripheral devices. Examples of system software are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, BIOS software, Device Diver Software etc. Application software, by contrast, directs the computer to execute commands given by the user. Application software describes the programs that are written for or by users to apply the computer to a specific task. Examples of application software are word processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory and payroll programs, and many other “applications.”

 

8. What is an Electronic mail? Describe the common header fields associated with an email.

Ans: Electronic mail, commonly known as email is a digital communication method for exchanging messages over the internet. It is a method of transmitting and receiving messages using electronic devices.

Today, email is one of the most popular methods of digital communication. The most commonly used feature of the networks in the field of communication is e-mail. It allows users to communicate with one another by exchanging messages.

All mail messages are composed of two distinct parts: the header (containing information such as who the message is from) and the body (the actual text of the message).

Each email message comes with a header that's structured into various fields. These fields contain important information about the sender and recipient. The email header includes information like the sender, receiver, subject, and date.

The header may also contain a number of optional fields that allow the recipient to reply to, forward, categorize, archive, or delete the email. Other header fields include the following:

·  The ‘Date’ field contains the date the email is sent. This is a mandatory header field.

·   The ‘From’ field contains the email address of the sender. This is also a mandatory header field.

·   The ‘To’ field contains the email address of the recipient.

·   The ‘Subject’ field contains any contextual information about the message the sender wants to include. It is displayed as a separate line above the body of an email.

·   The ‘Cc’ (carbon copy) field allows the sender to send a copy of the email to additional recipients. The recipients marked in the ‘To’ field can see the email address(es) listed in the ‘Cc’ field.

·   The ‘Bcc’ (blind carbon copy) field allows the sender to send a copy of the email to additional recipients. The recipients marked in the ‘To’ field cannot see the email address(es) listed in the ‘Bcc’ field.

 

 

9. Describe how the Web Browser communicates with the web server.

Ans: The communication between web browsers and web servers is the foundation of the internet. It is the process by which web browsers request information from web servers and web servers respond with the requested information.

When a user types in a web address, the browser sends a request to the web server hosting the website. The server then responds with the requested web page, which is then displayed in the browser.

Web browsers communicate with web servers using the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). When we click a link on a web page, submit a form, or run a search, the browser sends an HTTP Request to the server. When the request is received by the web server, the HTTP server will accept the request, find the content and send it back to the browser through HTTP.

When a browser requests a page from a web server, the process will follow a series of steps. First, a user specifies a URL in a web browser's address bar. The web browser will then obtain the IP address of the domain name -- either translating the URL through DNS (Domain Name System) or by searching in its cache. This will bring the browser to a web server. The browser will then request the specific file from the web server by an HTTP request. The web server will respond, sending the browser the requested page, again, through HTTP. If the requested page does not exist or if something goes wrong, the web server will respond with an error message.

10. What is a cell? How the cell address is identified?

Ans: A cell is the intersection of a row and a column. Each cell has its own name or cell address—based on its column and row. A cell reference, or cell address, is an alphanumeric value used to identify a specific cell in a spreadsheet.

Each cell is identified on a worksheet by its reference, the column letter and row number that intersect at the cell's location. Each cell reference contains one or more letters followed by a number. The letter or letters identify the column and the number represents the row.

A cell is identified by an address that consists of the column name followed by the row number. For example, the first cell is referred to as A1, which indicates that it lies at the intersection of the column A and row 1.