Category: Computer Fundamentals Objective Questions

Computer Fundamentals Multiple Choice Questions on “The Control Unit”.

1. ____________ is the raw material used as input and __________ is the processed data obtained as output of data processing.
a) Data, Instructions
b) Instructions, Program
c) Data, Program
d) Program, Code

Answer: a
Clarification: Data can be assumed as a raw material which, in turns after processing gives the desired output in the form of instructions. Further, a set of ordered and meaningful instructions is known as a program.

2. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a computer?
a) Diligence
b) I.Q.
c) Accuracy
d) Versatility

Answer: b
Clarification: The Computer system has no I.Q. of its own. It does only what it is programmed to do. It cannot take decisions of its own.
A computer is diligent because it can work continuously for hours without getting any errors or without getting grumbled.
The accuracy of a computer is consistently high and its level of accuracy depends on its design. A computer can perform any task if, it can be broken down into a series of logical steps. Therefore, a computer is versatile.

3. A decoder is required in case of a ______________
a) Vertical Microinstruction
b) Horizontal Microinstruction
c) Multilevel Microinstruction
d) All types of microinstructions

Answer: a
Clarification: There are two types of microinstructions: Horizontal and Vertical.
In a horizontal microinstruction, each bit represents a signal to be activated whereas, in case of vertical microinstruction bits are decoded and, the decoder then produces signals.

4. The part of a processor which contains hardware necessary to perform all the operations required by a computer:
a) Data path
b) Controller
c) Registers
d) Cache

Answer: a
Clarification: A processor is a part of the computer which does all the data manipulation and decision making. A processor comprises of:
A data path which contains the hardware necessary to perform all the operations. A controller tells the data path what needs to be done.
The registers act as intermediate storage for the data.

5. What does MAR stand for?
a) Main Address Register
b) Memory Access Register
c) Main Accessible Register
d) Memory Address Register

Answer: d
Clarification: MAR is a type of register which is responsible for the fetch operation. MAR is connected to the address bus and it specifies the address for the read and write operations.

6. If the control signals are generated by combinational logic, then they are generated by a type of _______________ controlled unit.
a) Micro programmed
b) Software
c) Logic
d) Hardwired

Answer: d
Clarification: The main task of a control unit is to generate control signals. There are two main types of control units:
A hardwired control unit generates control signals by using combinational logic circuits and the Micro programmed control unit generates control signals by using some softwares.

7. Which is the simplest method of implementing hardwired control unit?
a) State Table Method
b) Delay Element Method
c) Sequence Counter Method
d) Using Circuits

Answer: a
Clarification: There are 3 ways of implementing hardwired control unit:
A state table is the simplest method in which a number of circuits are designed based on the cells in the table.
A delay element method consists of a flowchart drawn for the circuit. A D-flip flop is used as a delay element.
A sequence counter method used k-modulo counter as a replacement for k delay elements.

8. A set of microinstructions for a single machine instruction is called ___________
a) Program
b) Command
c) Micro program
d) Micro command

Answer: c
Clarification: For every micro-operation, a set of microinstructions are written which indicate the control signals to be activated. A set of microinstructions is a micro program. The address of the next microinstruction is given by a Micro-program counter.

9. Micro-program consists of a set of microinstructions which are strings of 0s and 1s.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Clarification: The computer understands only binary language. So, the micro-program should have instructions which are in the form of 0s and 1s. Each output line of the micro-program corresponds to one control signal.

Computer Fundamentals Questions and Answers for Experienced people on “Fundamental Concepts & Postulates”.

1. The number of values applicable in Boolean Algebra.
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Answer: b
Clarification: Boolean algebra is based on binary number system. It therefore comprises only 2 bits : 0 and 1. Hence, only two values are applicable to Boolean algebra.

2. Boolean Algebra can deal with any number system.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: Boolean Algebra can only be used with the binary number system. Boolean deals with only two values 0 and 1. In Boolean System, if the result is tautology it returns 1 otherwise 0.

3. The symbol + in Boolean is also known as the ____________ operator.
a) AND
b) OR
c) ADD
d) SUMMATION

Answer: b
Clarification: The symbol + is also called as the OR operator. It is used for logical addition. It follows the law of binary addition.

4. Which operator has the highest precedence?
a) +
b) .
c) !
d) *

Answer: c
Clarification: The NOT operator has the highest precedence. It is denoted by ! or – sign. Further, AND (.) operations are performed and then the OR terms are evaluated.

5. In the expression Y + X’.Y, which operator will be evaluated first?
a) ‘
b) +
c) .
d) ,

Answer: a
Clarification: In Boolean Algebra, complement of a number is given the highest precedence. Therefore, complement which is denoted by the ‘ (apostrophe) symbol is evaluated first.

6. Which of the following is false?
a) x+y=y+x
b) x.y=y.x
c) x.x’=1
d) x+x’=1

Answer: c
Clarification: The first and second option describes the commutative law. The fourth option holds true since if x=1, then x’=0, and x+x’=1. Third option is incorrect because on multiplication of a boolean value with its complement the result will always be 0.

7. As per idempotent law, X + X will always be equal to ________
a) 0
b) 1
c) X
d) 2X

Answer: c
Clarification: It will always return the same value X. Since, boolean deals with only two numbers 0 and 1, if we add 0+0, the answer is 0. Similarly, if we add 1+1 the answer is 1.

8. The expression for involution law is _________
a) x+y=y+x
b) x+1=1
c) (x’)’=x
d) x.x=x

Answer: c
Clarification: The involution law states that the complement of complement of a number is the number itself. The third option justifies the statement. Thus, (x’)’=x.

9. Who proposed the use of Boolean algebra in the design of relay switching circuits?
a) George Boole
b) Claude E. Shannon
c) Claude E. Boole
d) George Shannon

Answer: b
Clarification: Claude E Shannon suggested the use of Boolean in relay switching circuits. George Boole, a mathematician introduced it for simplifying representations and manipulation of propositional logic.

10. Truth table is used to represent Boolean __________
a) functions
b) algebra
c) operators
d) addition

Answer: a
Clarification: The Boolean functions are represented using the truth tables. Truth tables represent the tautology and fallacy for terms.

Computer Fundamentals Multiple Choice Questions on “Output Devices”.

1. Input Devices that use a special ink that contains magnetizable particles of iron oxide are ____
a) Optical disks
b) Magnetic disks
c) MICR
d) Magnetic drives

Answer: c
Clarification: MICR reads data on cheques and sorts them for distribution to other banks or for further processing. MICR stands for Magnetic-Ink-Character Recognition.

2. MICR character set consists of only 2 digits 0 and 1.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: The statement is false. It consists of numerals from 0 to 9 and 4 special characters. It supports only 14 symbols.

3. A printer that prints one line at a time and has a predefined set of characters is called _______
a) Laser
b) Drum
c) Inkjet
d) Impact

Answer: b
Clarification: The drum printers print one line at a time. They have a cylindrical drum with characters embossed on its surface in the form of circular bands.

4. Which of the following is a name of plotter as well as a printer?
a) Flatbed
b) Laser
c) Drum
d) Impact

Answer: c
Clarification: Drum is the name of a plotter as well as a printer. Drum printers have a predefined set of characters and print one line at a time. Drum plotters is an ideal device for architects and others who need to generate high-precision hard copy graphics output of widely varying sizes.

5. Name the device that converts text information into spoken sentences.
a) Speech Sensors
b) Compact convertors
c) Speech Synthesizers
d) Voice systems

Answer: c
Clarification: A speech synthesizer converts text information into spoken sentences. It is used for reading out text information to blind people. Allowing people to communicate effectively.

6. Which of the following is not a part of a digitizer?
a) Digitizing tablet
b) Cursor
c) Stick
d) Stylus

Answer: c
Clarification: A digitizer consists of a digitizing tablet, a stylus in the form of a cross-hair cursor. A digitizer is used in the areas of GIS.

7. Which is the device used for converting maps, pictures and drawings into digital form for storage in computers?
a) Digitizer
b) Scanner
c) Image Scanner
d) MICR

Answer: a
Clarification: A digitizer serves the purpose given in the question. Digitizers are generally used in the area of Computer Aided Design by architects and engineers to design cars, buildings, etc.

8. The process in which a file is partitioned into smaller parts and different parts are stored in different disks is called _________
a) RAID
b) Mirroring
c) Stripping
d) RAID classification

Answer: c
Clarification: Enhanced reliability is achieved by using techniques like mirroring and stripping in case of disk arrays. Stripping is the division of a large file into smaller parts and then storing them on different disks.

9. Which of the following Printers have a speed in the range of 40-300 characters per second?
a) Inkjet
b) Laser
c) Dot matrix
d) Drum

Answer: a
Clarification: The inkjet printers are non-impact printers. Hence, they cannot produce multiple copies of a document in a single printing. Can be both monochrome and color.

10. Which of the following is a temporary output?
a) Hard copy
b) Soft copy
c) Duplicate copy
d) On paper

Answer: b
Clarification: There are only two types of outputs: hard copy and soft copy. Soft copy output is temporary and vanishes after use. Hard copy output is permanent in nature and can be kept in paper files, etc.

Computer Fundamentals Multiple Choice Questions on “COBOL Basics”.

1. COBOL stands for _________
a) Common Business Oriented Language
b) Common Business Object Language
c) Common Beneficial Oriented Language
d) Common Beneficial Object Language

Answer: a
Clarification: COBOL stands for Common Business Oriented Language. It is designed for business purpose. It is fast and relatively simple to learn.

2. COBOL is a language that keeps evolving.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. COBOL has billions of lines of existing code with more added each year. It thus keeps updating itself.

3. Which of the following is not a part of the program division in COBOL?
a) Identification
b) Environment
c) Procedure
d) Compilation

Answer: d
Clarification: COBOL has 4 basic parts in the division section: Identification, Environment, data and procedure. Each program is organized like a book.

4. Which of the following is not a part of the Identification division?
a) Paragraphs
b) Entries
c) Phrases
d) Clauses

Answer: c
Clarification: The order of identification division is:
Paragraphs
Entries
Clauses.

5. D in COBOL stands for _________
a) Data
b) Draft
c) Debugger
d) Debugging lines

Answer: d
Clarification: It stands for debugging lines. Compiler fills in with the sequence numbers. There are certain coding rules that must be followed in COBOL.

6. Comment in COBOL is denoted by ________
a) *
b) /
c) //
d) ;

Answer: a
Clarification: Comment is denoted by asterisk. (*) It denotes the comment line. Hyphen – denotes continuation.

7. The data division is used to ________
a) Declare program id
b) Declare variables
c) File control
d) Input-Output section

Answer: b
Clarification: The data division is used to declare and create variables and constant fields. There are 3 basic data types in COBOL.

8. Which is not a data type in COBOL?
a) numeric
b) alphanumeric
c) alphabetic
d) float

Answer: d
Clarification: There is no data type called as float in COBOL. It has only 3 basic data types: numeric, alphabetic and alphanumeric. Variables are created in the data division.

9. What does S denote in a picture clause?
a) A symbol
b) A character
c) A sign
d) Alphanumeric sign

Answer: b
Clarification: It denotes a sign in a picture clause. Picture clause values usually use 9, X, V, S, A.

10. _____________ denotes the format in which data is stored in memory.
a) kind
b) attach
c) select
d) usage

Answer: d
Clarification: Usage denotes the format in which data is stored in the memory. Normally the phrase usage is omitted in COBOL.

Computer Fundamentals Multiple Choice Questions on “DBMS”.

1. A collection of related data.
a) Information
b) Valuable information
c) Database
d) Metadata

Answer: c
Clarification: Database is the collection of related data and its metadata organized in a structured format. It is designed for optimized information management.

2. DBMS is software.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. DBMS stands for Database Management System. It enables easy creation and access of the database.

3. DBMS manages the interaction between __________ and database.
a) Users
b) Clients
c) End Users
d) Stake Holders

Answer: c
Clarification: DBMS manages the interaction between the end users and the database. End users are the final users that interact with the database.

4. Which of the following is not involved in DBMS?
a) End Users
b) Data
c) Application Request
d) HTML

Answer: d
Clarification: HTML isn’t involved in Database Management System. Other things like the data and application request are a part of the DBMS.

5. Database is generally __________
a) System-centered
b) User-centered
c) Company-centered
d) Data-centered

Answer: b
Clarification: Database is user-centered. The perspective is that the user is always right. If there is a problem with the use of the system, the system is the problem, not the user.

6. A characteristic of an entity.
a) Relation
b) Attribute
c) Parameter
d) Constraint

Answer: b
Clarification: An attribute is a characteristic of an entity. The association among the entities is described by the relationship.

7. The restrictions placed on the data.
a) Relation
b) Attribute
c) Parameter
d) Constraint

Answer: d
Clarification: Constraint is a restriction that is placed on the data. Attribute is the characteristic and the relation describes the association.

8. IMS stands for?
a) Information Mastering System
b) Instruction Management System
c) Instruction Manipulating System
d) Information Management System

Answer: d
Clarification: IMS stands for Information Management System. It is developed to manage large amounts of data for complex projects.

9. A model developed by Hammer and Mc Leod in 1981.
a) SDM
b) OODBM
c) DDM
d) RDM

Answer: a
Clarification: SDM stands for Semantic Data Model. It models both data and their relationships in a single structure.

10. Object=_________+relationships.
a) data
b) attributes
c) entity
d) constraints

Answer: c
Clarification: The answer is entity. It is a part of OODBM (Object-Oriented Database Model). It maintains the advantages of ER-model but adds more features.

Computer Fundamentals Multiple Choice Questions on “Generations of Computers”.

1. A term in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used.
a) development
b) generation
c) advancement
d) growth

Answer: b
Clarification: Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. The term is used to distinguish between various hardware technologies.

2. The fourth generation was based on integrated circuits.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: The statement is false. The third generation was based on integrated circuits.

3. The generation based on VLSI microprocessor.
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 4th

Answer: d
Clarification: The 4th gen was VLSI microprocessor based. The period of fourth generation: 1972-1990.

4. ______ generation of computer started with using vacuum tubes as the basic components.
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 4th

Answer: a
Clarification: First generation of computer started with using vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU(Central Processing Unit).

5. Batch processing was mainly used in this generation.
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 4th

Answer: a
Clarification: Batch processing was mainly used in the 1st generation. In this generation Punched cards, Paper tape, Magnetic tape Input & Output device were used.

6. ___________ is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of making computers think like human beings.
a) Block chain
b) VR
c) AI
d) Cloud computing

Answer: c
Clarification: AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of making computers think like human beings.

7. ULSI stands for?
a) Ultra Large Scale Integration
b) Under Lower Scale Integration
c) Ultra Lower Scale Integration
d) Under Large Scale Integration

Answer: a
Clarification: It stands for Ultra Large Scale Integration. It is a part of the fifth generation computers.

8. In this generation Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed Operating System was used.
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 5th
d) 4th

Answer: d
Clarification: The fourth generation of computers is marked by the use of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. In this generation Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed Operating System was used.

9. HLL stands for?
a) High Level Language
b) High Layman’s Language
c) High Level Lesson
d) High Layman’s Lesson

Answer: a
Clarification: High Level Language(HLL) has languages like FORTRAN, COBOL. HLL isn’t in machine language. It is converted to machine language for further processing.

10. The period of ________ generation was 1952-1964.
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 5th
d) 4th

Answer: b
Clarification: The period of the 2nd generation is 1952-1964. The period of the first generation was 1942-1954.