Computer Science/IT MCQs
Topic Notes: Computer Science/IT
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
3311
Storage that retains its data after power is switched off is called:
Answer:
Non-volatile storage
Non-volatile storage, such as hard drives or SSDs, keeps data even when power is lost.
3312
When a program is compiled, which specific type of errors is the compiler primarily designed to identify and flag?
Answer:
Syntax errors, which are violations of the programming language's grammatical rules.
Compilers are fundamentally designed to enforce the grammatical rules of the programming language. Therefore, their primary role in error detection is identifying 'syntax errors' – mistakes in the structure or format of the code that violate the language's predefined rules (e.g., missing semicolons, misspelled keywords). While compilers can catch *some* basic semantic errors (like using an undeclared variable or type mismatches), they cannot detect all semantic errors, especially those that require understanding the program's intent or complex data flows. Logical errors, which cause incorrect program output despite syntactically and often semantically valid code, are beyond the compiler's scope and typically require debugging by the programmer. Runtime errors occur during execution, not compilation, and are often caused by conditions like division by zero or out-of-bounds array access.
3313
One thousand bytes represent a:
Answer:
Kilobyte
A kilobyte is approximately 1,000 bytes.
3314
Which of the following is the largest unit of storage?
Answer:
TB
A terabyte (TB) is larger than a kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), or gigabyte (GB).
3315
In magnetic storage, what absence represents a binary 0?
Answer:
Magnetic field
Binary 0 is usually represented by the absence of a magnetic field.
3316
To place your image in a live video conference, you typically use a:
Answer:
Webcam
A webcam captures live video for conferencing.
3317
What factors determine the storage capacity of a magnetic disk?
Answer:
All of the above
The storage capacity of a magnetic disk is influenced by several factors. These include track density (tracks per inch), bit density (bits per inch on a track), and the total surface area available for recording, which is affected by the number of platters (disks) in a disk pack.
3318
Which computer generation employs multiple microprocessors?
Answer:
Fifth generation
Fifth generation computers explore parallel processing with multiple processors.
3319
Memory used to store programs and data currently processed by the CPU is:
Answer:
Internal memory
Internal memory (RAM) holds active data and instructions during processing.
3320
Which peripheral device is specifically designed to convert physical documents, images, or even three-dimensional objects into a digital format that can be stored and manipulated by a computer?
Answer:
Scanner
A scanner is an input peripheral device that works by optically 'reading' an image or document and converting it into digital data. This process involves shining a light on the object and capturing the reflected light using an array of sensors, which then translate the light intensity into a digital signal. Let's consider why the other options are incorrect: * **CD-ROM drive** (Option A) is a storage device that reads data from Compact Discs, but it does not convert physical documents into digital images. * **Plotter** (Option B) is an output device used for printing vector graphics, often for architectural blueprints or engineering designs, but it does not digitize physical content. * **Barcode reader** (Option C) is a device that optically decodes barcodes into numerical or textual information, primarily for inventory or point-of-sale systems, not for digitizing general images or documents.