BPSC 4.0 Computer fundamentals Class -1 2025

1. What is a computer?

Answer: A computer is an electronic device that processes data and performs various tasks based on instructions provided by users, software, or hardware.

2. What are the types of computers?

Answer: The four basic types of computers are:

Personal Computers (PCs)
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded Systems

3. What is the difference between hardware and software?

Answer: Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer (e.g., CPU, memory, storage devices), while software refers to the programs and operating systems that run on the hardware.

4. What are the components of a computer system?

Answer: The main components are:

Input Devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse)
Output Devices (e.g., monitor, printer)
Processing Unit (CPU)
Memory (RAM, ROM)
Storage Devices (e.g., hard drive, SSD)

5. What is the CPU?

Answer: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer that performs most of the processing inside a computer. It carries out instructions from programs.

6. What is RAM?

Answer: Random Access Memory (RAM) is temporary storage that stores data and instructions that are currently being processed by the CPU.

7. What is ROM?

Answer: Read-Only Memory (ROM) is non-volatile memory that contains firmware or essential system instructions that the computer needs to boot.

8. What is an Operating System?

Answer: An Operating System (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.

9. Name some popular operating systems.

Answer: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

10. What is a file system?

Answer: A file system is a method used by the operating system to store and organize files on a storage device.

11. What is a database?

Answer: A database is an organized collection of structured data that can be easily accessed, managed, and updated.

12. What is an algorithm?

Answer: An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem.

13. What is programming?

Answer: Programming is the process of creating a set of instructions for a computer to follow in order to perform specific tasks.

14. What are the types of programming languages?

Answer: Programming languages can be classified as:

High-Level Languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++)
Low-Level Languages (e.g., Assembly, Machine Code)

15. What is binary?

Answer: Binary is a number system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1. It is the basic language of computers.

16. What is a bit and a byte?

Answer: A bit is the smallest unit of data, represented as 0 or 1. A byte consists of 8 bits.

17. What is a compiler?

Answer: A compiler is a program that translates source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code or bytecode.

18. What is an interpreter?

Answer: An interpreter is a program that directly executes instructions written in a high-level programming language, translating it line by line.

19. What is an IP address?

Answer: An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique identifier assigned to a device connected to a network, used for communication between devices.

20. What is DNS?

Answer: The Domain Name System (DNS) is a system that translates domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses.

21. What is the internet?

Answer: The internet is a global network of interconnected computers that communicate and share resources using standardized protocols.

22. What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?

Answer: The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the internet.

23. What is HTML?

Answer: HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language used to create and design webpages.

24. What is CSS?

Answer: CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to define the layout and appearance of webpages written in HTML.

25. What is JavaScript?

Answer: JavaScript is a programming language used to create interactive effects within webpages.

26. What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

Answer: HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is an unsecured protocol for transmitting web pages, while HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secured version of HTTP, encrypted with SSL/TLS.

27. What is a web browser?

Answer: A web browser is a software application used to access and view websites (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

28. What is cloud computing?

Answer: Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services (e.g., storage, processing power) over the internet, on a pay-as-you-go basis.

29. What is a network?

Answer: A network is a group of interconnected devices that communicate with each other, sharing resources and data.

30. What is the difference between LAN and WAN?

Answer:

LAN (Local Area Network) is a network limited to a small geographic area, like a home or office.
WAN (Wide Area Network) spans a large geographical area, often connecting multiple LANs.

31. What is a router?

Answer: A router is a device that forwards data packets between computer networks, directing traffic on the internet.

32. What is a firewall?

Answer: A firewall is a security system designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules.

33. What is a virus?

Answer: A computer virus is a malicious program that can replicate itself and infect a computer, often causing damage or unauthorized actions.

34. What is malware?

Answer: Malware (malicious software) is software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.

35. What is encryption?

Answer: Encryption is the process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.

36. What is the difference between data and information?

Answer: Data are raw facts and figures, while information is processed or organized data that is meaningful.

37. What is Big Data?

Answer: Big Data refers to large and complex data sets that are difficult to process using traditional data management tools.

38. What is AI (Artificial Intelligence)?

Answer: AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines designed to think, learn, and make decisions.

39. What is Machine Learning?

Answer: Machine Learning is a subset of AI that allows machines to learn from data and improve their performance over time without being explicitly programmed.

40. What is blockchain?

Answer: Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger used to record transactions across many computers securely.

41. What is a database management system (DBMS)?

Answer: A DBMS is software that provides an interface for interacting with databases, allowing for the creation, manipulation, and management of data.

42. What is SQL?

Answer: SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language used to manage and manipulate relational databases.

43. What is a GUI?

Answer: A GUI (Graphical User Interface) allows users to interact with a computer using graphical elements such as icons, buttons, and windows.

44. What is a command-line interface (CLI)?

Answer: A CLI is a text-based interface where users type commands to perform specific tasks, as opposed to interacting with graphical elements.

45. What is a software development lifecycle (SDLC)?

Answer: SDLC is a process used by software developers to design, develop, and maintain software. It includes stages like planning, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.

46. What is object-oriented programming (OOP)?

Answer: OOP is a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects, which contain data and methods that operate on that data.

47. What is a network protocol?

Answer: A network protocol is a set of rules that govern data transmission and communication between devices over a network.

48. What is the difference between a switch and a hub?

Answer: A hub broadcasts data to all connected devices, whereas a switch sends data only to the specific device it is intended for, reducing network congestion.

49. What is a virtual machine?

Answer: A virtual machine (VM) is an emulation of a computer system that allows running multiple operating systems on a single physical machine.

50. What is the difference between HTTP and FTP?

Answer:

HTTP is used for transmitting web pages and data over the internet.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used for transferring files between computers on a network.