ICS Notes Computer Science Part 1 Chapter 1 Basics of Information Technology Short Questions

Q 1. What is data?

Ans. A collection of raw facts and figures related to an object is called data. An object may be a person., an organization, or any other thing etc. Data is collected for a specific purpose. Data may be in the form of text, numbers, images, sounds, and videos.

Q 2. Define information.
Ans. The processed data is called information. The processed data gives us a clear and proper meaning. So it can be used for decision making.

Q 3. Differentiate between data and information.
Ans. Data is raw facts and figures, while information is processed data. Data cannot be used for making decision, while information can be used for decision making. Data is used as input to the computer, while information is the output of the computer.

Q 4. Define data processing?
Ans. The process of converting data into information is called data processing. Data processing is also known as computing. I data processing, data is used as input and information is the output.

Q 5. What is information technology?
Ans. The technology used for processing, storing and communicating information is called information technology or IT. It is the combination of hardware and software, It combines computing with high speed computer networks. Website is a type of information technology.

Q 6. What is global village?
Ans. Global village means people living in the world know each other as if they are living in a village. People can exchange information or messages in such a manner as if they are sitting in a same room.

Q 7. What is digital convergence?
Ans. The electronic merging of different organizations, industries and institutions to exchange information between them is called digital convergence.

Q 8. State some application of information technology.
Ans. Applications of information technology are stated below:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Web-Based Applications
• E-commerce
• M-commerce
• Computer animation
• Multimedia
• Hypermedia
• Distributed computing etc

Q 9. What is artificial intelligence?
Ans. Artificial intelligence is intelligence exhibited by machines. These machines can think, make decision and communicate with human beings.

Q 10. What is web-based applications?
Ans. A web-based application is any program that is accessed over a network connection using HTTP, rather than existing within a device's memory. Web-based applications often run inside a web browser.

Q 11. What is E-commerce?
Ans. E-commerce is  doing business transactions through computer networks. i.e. Internet.

Q 12. What is M-commerce?
Ans. E-commerce is  doing business transactions through mobile on the Internet.

Q 13. What is computer animation?
Ans. The animation means cartoon or moving picture. Animation is a process of creating moving pictures and other special effects for television shows, commercials, movies and cartoons.

Q 14. What is multimedia?
Ans. Multimedia is content that uses a combination of different content forms such as text, audio, images, animations, video and interactive content. Main use of multimedia applications are in video games and computer based training.

Q 15. What is hypermedia?
Ans. Hypermedia is an extension of the term hypertext, is a nonlinear medium of information that includes graphics, audio, video, plain text and hyperlinks. Hypermedia is the process of creating links in multimedia files.

Q 16. What is a computer?
Ans. A computer is an electronic machine. It can be programmed to accept data, process data into useful information, and store it for later use. A computer system consists of hardware and software.

Q 17. What is hardware?
Ans. The physical components of a computer are called hardware. You can touch, see and feel hardware. The input/output devices, CPU, memory unit etc are examples of hardware.

Q 18. What is software?
Ans. A set of instructions given to the computer to perform a specific task is called software. Software is also called computer program.

Q 19. What is system software?
Ans. A program or set of programs that is especially designed to control different operations of computer system is called system software. It controls the working of different components of the computer. The system software also enables the other application programs to execute properly.

Q 20. What is application software?
Ans. A program or set of programs that are especially designed to solve the specific problems of users are called application software. For exp, Microsoft Word, etc.

Q 21. What is the difference between application and system software?
Ans. Application software solves the problem of user, while system software controls different operations of the computer. The application software depends on system software to run on the computer.

Q 22. What is the use of customized software?
Ans. The software that is developed for a particular customer or organization is called customized built software. It is also known as customized software.

Q 23. What is packaged software?
Ans. The software that is developed for sale to the general public is called packaged software. Packaged software is used to solve some common problem of many people or users. Examples of package software are spreadsheet and word processor programs.

Q 24. What is utility software?
Ans. A software that helps the user to solve the specific problems related to hardware or software is called utility program. It is system software. A large number of utility programs are available for the service of hardware and software.

Q 25. What is operating software?
Ans. An operating system is a collection of system programs that controls and co-ordinates the overall operations of a computer system. It provides and interface for the user to interact with the computer. A computer needs an operating system to do work. Examples of operating system are Microsoft Windows, DOS, Linux, UNIX, Solaris, Android, IOS and Mac OS.

Q 26. What is the difference between hardware and software?
Ans.  Hardware are physical parts of the computer, while software is a set of instructions given to the computer to solve a problem. We can touch hardware but we cannot touch software.

Q 27. What is input?
Ans. Anything given to the computer is called input. The data and instructions are given to the computer as input. There are two methods of entering data and instructions into the computer. These are direct and indirect input.

Q 28. What is the difference between direct input and indirect input?
Ans. Using direct input, data is entered directly into the computer from the source. Using indirect method, data is entered into the computer after intermediate handling.

Q 29. What are input devices?
Ans. The devices that are used to enter data and instructions into the computer are called input devices. The input device is a hardware component. It takes input from user and converts it into a form that a computer can use.

Q 30. State different categories of input devices.
Ans. There are three general types of input devices. These are:

• Keyboards
• Pointing devices
• Source data-entry devices

Q 31. What is the function of keyboard?
Ans. Keyboard is the most commonly used input device. It is mostly used to enter text and numeric type data into the computer. The buttons on the keyboard are called keys. A standard keyboard contains more than 105 keys.

Q 32. What is meant by QWERTY?
Ans. The standard keyboard is also called QWERTY keyboard. This is because the first six leftmost keys on the top row of alphabets are Q, W, E, R, T, Y.

Q 33. What are function keys?
Ans. There are 12 function keys on the top of the keyboard that are labeled as F1, F2, ., F12. These are used to perform special functions. The function of each function key depends upon the software being used on the computer.

Q 34. What are pointing devices?
Ans. A pointing device is an input device. It is used to control movement of the pointer or cursor on the screen. It can also be used for sending command signals to the computer, selecting items on the screen , selecting commands from commands menu and drawing graphs etc. Examples of pointing devices includes  Mouse, Trackball, Pointing stick, Joystick, Touch pad, Light pen, etc.

Q 35. What is the function of mouse?
Ans. Mouse is the most commonly used pointing input device. It is used to control the cursor or pointer on the screen and to give commands to the computer. It is very easy to use. The mouse is attached with the computer by a cable or wireless connection.

Q 36. How does mouse work?
Ans. Mouse id moved over a flat surface to control the movement of the pointer on the screen. The top of the mouse contains one wheel and 2 or 3 buttons. These buttons can be clicked or double clicked to perform different tasks. A mechanical mouse has a small ball at the bottom. The ball rotates over a flat surface. As the mouse is rolled over the flat surface, the pointer moves in the same direction on the screen.

Q 37. What is trackball?
Ans. A trackball is a pointing input device. It performs functions like a mouse but it is a stationary device. It has a moveable ball on its top. The ball is rotated or rolled with fingers to move the pointer on the screen. The trackball is usually available with laptop computer. It is fixed on its keyboard. It is also available as separate device.

Q 38 What is touchpad or track pad?
Ans. Touch pad is a pressure-sensitive pointing input device. Touch pad is also known as track pad. It is also stationary device like trackball but it has no moving parts. It is small, flat surface over which a user slides fingertip to move the pointer on screen. Touch pad is normally used with laptop.

Q 39. What is pointing stick?
Ans. A pointing stick is a pressure-sensitive pointing device. It looks like a pencil eraser. It exists between keys of keyboard. It is used to control the movement of a pointer on the screen. The pointer on the screen moves in the direction in which the pointing stick is pushed. Pointing stick input device is normally used with laptop computers.

Q 40. What is touch screen?
Ans. A touch screen is a special video display screen. Input is given to the computer directly by touching the screen with user fingertip. Most touch screen computers use sensors in the computer’s screen to detect the touch of a finger. Touch screen is often used in ATM. Touch screen systems are also used in restaurants, supermarkets, departmental stores etc.

Q 41. What is joystick?
Ans. Joystick is a pointing device. It consists of a vertical handle or handheld stick. The stick is mounted on a base. The handheld stick is used to control the movement of pointer on the screen. Joystick is basically used to play video games. It is also used in some computer aided design (CAD) Systems.

Q 42. What are pen based systems?
Ans. Pen based system use a pen like input device. This input device is called stylus. This system allows the user to enter handwriting and marks into computer. The user writes information on the display screen using stylus. The pen based system used special software. This software translates handwritten information or marks into a form that can be stored and processed by the computer.

Q 43. What is graphic tablet?
Ans. Digitizer is used for drawing new images or tracing old images. Usually, it is used for making maps and engineering drawings. A digitizer is also known as graphics tablet. It consists of a flat, rectangular board and an input device stylus or puck. Each location on the rectangular board points to corresponding position on the computer screen. The stylus or puck is connected to the board by a wire.

Q 44. What are source data entry devices?
Ans. The devices that are used for direct data entry to the computer system are called source data entry devices. These devices are also known as direct input devices. These devices provide quick and efficient way to input data into the computer. The commonly used source data entry devices are image scanner, barcode reader, MICR, OMR, OCR, etc.

Q 45. What is impact printer?
Ans. A type of printer produces output on a paper by striking the print hammer or wheel against and inked ribbon is called impact printer.

Q 46. What is non-impact printer?
Ans. A printer that produces output on paper without striking the paper is called non-impact printer.

Q 47. What is barcode?
Ans. Barcode is a unique identification code. It consists of light and dark vertical lines with spaces between them of different widths. Barcode is printed on most of the manufactured products. It represents the information about the product. The most popular and commonly used barcode is UPC.

Q 48. What is UPC?
Ans. UPC stands for Universal Product Code. It is most popular and commonly used barcode system or scheme. It is printed on most of the manufactured products. It represents the information about the product.

Q 49. What is barcode reader?
Ans. Barcode reader is a special scanning device. It is used for reading barcode printed on the product or book. It used laser beam to scan or red the barcode. It reads the barcode and translates it into digital signals. These signals are input to the computer for further processing.

Q 50. What are mark and character recognition devices?
Ans. Mark and character recognition devices are input devices. They are used to scan information printed on the paper. These devices read the information and convert it into digital signals. These signals are input to the computer for further processing. Examples of these devices are MICR, OMR, OCR etc.

Q 51. What is MICR?
Ans. MICR stands for Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition. It is a special scanner. It reads the characters printed with magnetic ink and converts them into digital signals. These signals are then input to the computer for further processing. MICR devices are normally used in banks for processing cheques.

Q 52. What is OMR?
Ans. OMR stands for Optical Marks Recognition. OMR device is used to read handwritten marks or symbols printed on the paper. It uses a light beam to scan the marks and converts them into digital signals. These signals are then input to the computer for further processing. OMR device is usually used in education field to check objective type answers.

Q 53. What is OCR?
Ans. OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. OCR device reads preprinted characters in a particular font and converts them into digital code. The characters printed on paper may be typewritten or handwritten. The OCR devices are commonly used to process utility bills and price code printed on the products in departments stores.

Q 54. What is magnetic strip card?
Ans.  A magnetic strip card has a strip of magnetically encoded information on its back. Usually, the magnetic strip is used in personal identity card. This card is used for personal identification during driving, in the departmental stores, and at public places etc.

Q 55. What is smart card?
Ans. Smart card looks like a credit card or ATM card. This card contains a thin microprocessor and memory chip that is embedded in it. The card is inserted into a card reader. The card reader reads information stored on the card. It can also store and update some basic information. A mobile SIM and an ATM card are exampled to smart card.

Q 56. What is facsimile?
Ans. A fax machine is also known as facsimile transmission machine. It is used to send and receive information printed on paper through telephone line.

Q 57. What is image scanner?
Ans. Image scanner is also called graphic scanner. It reads text, drawing and photographs printed on the paper. It converts them into digital form and stores inside the computer for further processing.

Q 58. What is raster graphics?
Ans. The technique of representing a graphic image as a matrix of dots is called raster graphics.

Q 59. What is audio input?
Ans. Audio input is the process of entering any sounds into the computer. It may include speech, and music etc. The sound is in the form of analog signals.

Q 60. What is audio input devices?
Ans. The device that is used to enter sound into the computer is called audio input device. Microphone is most commonly used as an audio input device.

Q 61. What is video input?
Ans. The process of entering video input into the computer is called video input. Video input consists of full motion images that create actions and movements. The video input is also in the form of analog signals.

Q 62. What are video input devices?
Ans. The devices that are used to enter video input into the computer are called video input devices. Most of these devices are used for recording movie films and video images. VCR and video camera are examples of video input devices.

Q 63. What is digital camera?
Ans. A digital camera is an input device. It takes pictures and stores them in digital form. It does not use traditional camera film. It uses a light sensitive processor chip to capture photographic images in digital form. These images are stored on a small diskette inserted in the camera or on flash memory chip.

Q 64. What is output?
Ans. The data processed into a useful form is called output. The user receives output from the computer on a screen or print on the paper through printer. In case of audio output, then it can be received through speaker.

Q 65. What is softcopy output?
Ans. The output received on the display screen is called softcopy output. The output in the form of audio or video or file stored on disk is also softcopy output. This kind of output is not tangible. It means that softcopy output cannot be touched.

Q 66. What is hardcopy output?
Ans. The output printed on the paper is called hardcopy. Hardcopy can be touched, while softcopy cannot be touched. Hardcopy is received through printer or plotter, while softcopy is received on display screen or storage device or speaker.

Q 67. What are output devices?
Ans. A hardware that is used to receive the output from the computer is called an output device. It takes information from the computer and converts it in a form that a user can understand. The commonly used output devices are monitors, printers, plotters and speakers.

Q 68. What is display screen?
Ans. Display screen is also called monitor or simply a screen. It is commonly used output device. It is used as softcopy output device. The output may be in the form of text, graphics or video.

Q 69. What is pixel?
Ans. Pixel stands for picture element. The display screen is divided into small dots. These dots are called pixels. The pixels are arranged horizontally and vertically. The number of pixels on a screen is called its resolution. The monitor’s screen that has large number of pixels has high resolution.

Q 70. Why resolution is important for display screen?
Ans. Resolution is very important factor for display screen. The resolution is the main factor that affects the quality of the monitor. The monitor’s screen that has large number of pixels has high resolution. The resolution refers to the sharpness and clearness of an image.

Q 71. What is video display adapter?
Ans. A display screen must have a video display adapter attached with the computer. It is used to display output in the form of graphics. Video display adapter is also known as video graphics card. It is a circuit board that determines the resolution, number of colors and speed with which images appear on the display screen.

Q 72. What is laser printer?
Ans. LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser printer is the fastest and high quality non-impact printer. It works like a photocopier. The laser printer transfers the image of output on paper using LASER technology and toner. Toner is an ink powder.

Q 73. What is inkjet printer?
Ans. Inkjet printer is a type of non-impact printer. It creates output on paper by spraying tiny droplets of liquid ink. Inkjet printer has a print-head that can spray very fine drops of ink. It consists of print cartridge filled liquid ink and has small nozzles in the form of matrix. The combination of nozzles is activated to from the shape of character or image on the paper by spraying the liquid ink.

Q 74. What is thermal printer?
Ans. Thermal printer is another type of non-impact printer. It can only print output on a special heat sensitive waxy paper. The image of the output is created on the waxy paper by burning dots on it. For coloured output, coloured waxy sheets are used.

Q 75. What is plotter?
Ans. A plotter is a special output device. It is used for printing architectural drawing, maps, and charts. A plotter is typically used to print large graphs or maps such as construction maps or engineering drawings.

Q 76. What is flatbed plotter?
Ans. A flatbed plotter is also known as table plotter. It plots on paper that is lying flat on a table like surface. The flatbed plotter uses two robotic drawing arms, each of which holds a set of pens. Most of the flatbed plotters have one to four pens of different colors. These pens move across the paper to draw charts and graphs on the paper. The movement of these pens is controlled by the computer system.

Q 77. What is drum plotter?
Ans. A drum plotter is also known as roller plotter. It consists of a drum or roller on which paper is placed. Drum plotter also consists of mechanical device known as robotic drawing arm that holds a set of pens or pencils. The drum rotates back and forth to draw the graph on the paper. Drum plotter is used to produce continuous output such as to record earthquake readings.

Q 78. What are audio output devices?
Ans. An output in the form of voice, music or any other sound is called audio output. These output devices that are used to get audio output from computer. The commonly used audio output devices are the speaker and headset .

Q 79. What are basic units of data storage?
Ans. The basic units that are used for data storage are as follow:

• Bit: The binary digit 1 or 0 is called but. It is the basic unit for storing data in the computer memory.
• Byte: A group of 8 bits is called byte. One character takes one byte of memory.
• Kilobyte: A kilobyte consists of 1024 Bytes. It is denoted as KB.
• Megabyte: A Megabyte consists of 1024 Kilobytes. It is denoted as MB.
• Gigabyte: A Gigabyte consists of 1024 Megabytes. It is denoted as GB.
• Terabyte: A Terabyte consists of 1024 Gigabytes. It is denoted as TB.

Q 80. What is a system?
Ans. A system is a combination of different related components that interact with each other to perform some specific tasks. A system may consist of the following components: hardware, software, people/users, data and communication setup.

Q 81. What is SDLC?
Ans. A set of activities or steps that are required to develop a system is called system development life cycle. It is an organized way to develop a successful system.

Q 82. Write the phases of SDLC?
Ans. Different phases of SDLC are Preliminary Investigation, System Analysis, Design, Coding, Testing, Implementation and Maintenance.

Q 83. What is the objective of preliminary investigation phase of SDLC?
Ans. The main objective of this phase is to conduct an initial analysis. In this phase following tasks are performed: System Identification, System Scope, Alternate Solutions, Feasibility Study and Initial planning to develop the system.

Q 84. What is feasibility study?
Ans. Feasibility study is conducted to find out whether the proposed system is possible to develop and acceptable for the organization.

Q 85. What is the purpose of system analysis phase of SDLC?
Ans. In this phase, the current system is studied in detail. The data is collected about the system to be developed. The collected data is analyzed and the analysis report is created.

Q 86. What is the purpose of design phase of SDLC?
Ans. In Design phase, the model of the system is prepared. The logical representation of the system is called system model. Typically, the requirements collected in analysis phase are translated into logical representation of system.

Q 87. What is the purpose of coding phase of SDLC?
Ans. In this phase, the code of software is written. The code of software is any programming language. Coding phase is very important phase of the system development process. It needs  a lot of time, effort and budget to produce the system.

Q 88. What is unit testing?
Ans. Unit testing is also called module testing. In this stage, individual units or modules of the system are tested using sample data.

Q 89. What is system testing?
Ans. In this phase, all units/modules are linked together to make a complete system. So the complete system is tested as a whole. The sample data as well as actual data can be used to do the system testing.

Q 90. What is the purpose of implementation phase of SDLC?
Ans. In this phase, the system is implemented. It means that the developed system is installed for use to solve the problem. Users of the organization are also trained to operate system.

Q 91. State different types of Implementation?
Ans.  Different types of implementation are Direct implementation, Parallel implementation, Phased implementation and Pilot implementation.

Q 92. What is direct implementation?
Ans. In this type of implementation, the old system is directly replaced with the new system. The users start working on the new system.

Q 93. What is phased implementation?
Ans. In this type of implementation, different parts of the new system are implemented one by one in different phases.

Q 94. What is pilot implementation?
Ans. This type of implementation allows to implement the complete system but to a selected group of users or departments of an organization. IF the system is suitable and fulfills the requirements of the organization, it is implemented for all the users.

Q 95. What is the purpose of maintenance phase of SDLC?
Ans. Maintenance is a process of upgrading the system to accommodate the new requirements of the users and to adjust the problems in the running system, Regular maintenance is essential for the betterment of the software or system.

Q 96. What is a programmer?
Ans. A person who can write, test and debug a computer program is called programmer. A programmer is also called computer programmer or coder.

Q 97. What is light pen?
Ans. The light pen is a handheld input device. It looks like a pen. It is light sensitive input device. It is connected with the computer by a wire. The tip of pen contains a light sensitive element. This device also contains a button. Input is given to the computer directly by touching the screen with pen. Light pen is usually used by engineers and graphic designers.

Written By: Asad Hussain