Chapter 1

Information Technology
Short Questions
Q.1. Define the term information technology (IT).
Information technology is the technology that uses computing with high-speed
communication links to spread information from one place to another.
Q.2. Write some application of Information Technology.
The application of information technology include
 artificial intelligence
 e-commerce
 m-commerce
 computer animation
 multimedia.
Q.3. Define the term digital convergence.
Digital convergence is the electronic merging of various industries to exchange information
between them. These industries are computers, electronics, telecommunications and mass
media etc. This merging is very important in modern world.
Q.4. Differentiate between hypermedia and multimedia.
Hypermedia is a process of creating links to files that contain photographs, audio, video and
text etc. Multimedia is defined as the use of several different media to convey information
in the form of text, audio, graphics, animation and video etc.
Q.5. Define software.
A set of instructions given to computer to solve a problem is called software. Computer
software specify a sequence of operations to be performed by computer. A computer works
according to the instructions written in software.
Q.6. Define hardware.
The physical parts of a computer are called hardware. Hardware can be touched or seen by
us. Keyboard, mouse, CPU, printer, monitor, hard drive, RAM and ROM are examples of
hardware components.
Q.7. Give some examples of hardware components.
Some examples of hardware components are keyboard, mouse, CPU, printers, monitor and
drives etc.

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Q.8. How is hardware different from software?
Hardware are physical parts of computer but software is a set of instructions given to
computer to solve a problem. Hardware can be touched but software cannot be touched..
Hardware is repaired in case of problem but software is debugged in case of problem.
Q.9. Give reason why hardware is useless without software.
Hardware is useless without software because the hardware cannot perform any task
without software. Software contains the instructions to be executed by the hardware.
Q.10. Describe the relationship of software and hardware.
The hardware cannot perform any task without software. Software cannot be executed
without hardware. Computer becomes useful when hardware and software are combined.
Q.11. Define data.
A collection of raw facts and figures is called data. The word raw means that the facts have
not yet been processed to get their exact meaning. Data is collected from different sources.
It is collected for different purposes. Data may consist of numbers, characters, symbols or
pictures etc.
Q.12. Define information.
The processed data is called information. Information is an organized and processed form of
data. It is more meaningful than data and is used for making decisions.
Q.13. Differentiate between data and information.
Data is a set of raw facts and information is the processed form of data. Data is used as
input in the computer and information is the output of the computer.
Q.14. Define computer.
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to accept data, process data into useful
information and store it for later use. A computer consists of hardware and software. The
processing of input to output is directed by the software but performed by the hardware.
Q.15. Describe major components of a computer with their functions.
The major components of a computer are storage devices, input devices, processor amd
output devices. Storage devices are used to store data, instructions and information
permanently. Input devices are used to accept input from the user. Output devices send
information to the user. The processor is used to process data into useful information.

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Q.16. Define system software.
System software is set of programs to control and manage the actual operations of a
computer hardware. It controls the usage and allocation of different hardware components.
It enables application programs to execute properly. jagai la zonagens valid
Q.17. Give the names of any three system software.
Three names of system software are operating system, utility programs and device drivers.
Q.18. Define application software.
Application software is used to perform various applications on the computer. It helps a
computer user to perform specific tasks. People use application software according to their
needs. It is also known as application package.
Q.19. Explain the difference between application software and system software.
System software gives application software access to computer's resources. It enables the
application software to run on computer hardware. Application software allows the user to
run software to perform different activities.
Q.20. Explain the relationship of application software and operating system.
Application software uses operating system in order to function. The operating system is the
base software. The application software runs on top of the operating system software.
Q.21. What is operating system?
An operating system is a set of programs that manages all computer components and
operations. A computer cannot work without operating system. Users interact with the
computer through operating system.
Q.22. Give some examples of operating system.
Microsoft Windows, Linux, UNIX and Sun Solaris are examples of operating system.
Q.23. Define utility program.
A utility program is a type of system software that is used for effective management of
computer system. The user can use utility programs to perform maintenance tasks related
to different devices and programs.
Q.24. What is the use of customized software?
Customized software is a type of application software that is designed for a particular
customer or organization. It is developed to meet the exact requirements of a particular
customer or organization.

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Q.25. Define package software with examples.
Package software is a type of application software that is developed for sale to the general
public. It is also known as off-the-shelf software. It facilitates the people to perform day-to-
day activities. Examples of package software are word processors and spreasheets etc.
Q.26. Compare customized and package software.
Customized software is developed for specific needs of particular customer. However, the
packaged software is developed for sale to the general publice.
Q.27. Define input.
Anything given to the computer is known as input such as data or instructions.. Computer
inputs data and converts it into information after processing.
Q.28. Write the use of input devices.
An input device is a hardware component that is used to enter data and instruction. into a
computer. Input devices take data and instructions from user and convert it in a form that is
understandable by the computer.
Q.29. List different categories of input devices.
Different categories of input devices are keyboards, pointing devices and source data entry
devices.
Q.30. Write names of some commonly used input devices.
Some commonly used input devices are keyboard, mouse, scanner and digital camera.
Q.31. What do you know about keyboard?
Keyboard is the most commonly used input device. The buttons on the keyboard are called
keys. A standard keyboard contains over 100 keys. The keys available on the keyboards are
numeric, alphabetic, function and special-purpose keys.
Q.32. Name important types of keys on keyboard.
The important types of keys on keyboard are function keys, numeric keys, alphbetic keys,
arrow keys and special purose keys such as CTRL, ALT etc.
Q.33. Write the characteristics of keyboard.
A keyboard contains keys to type alphabets, letters, numbers, punctuation marks etc. A
keyboard also contains numeric keypad to enter numbers. Function keys are used to
executed commands for certain tasks. Arrow keys are used to move insertion points.
Q.34. What is enhanced keyboard? Which additional keys are available on it?

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Enhanced keyboard has some additional keys between the main keypad and the numeric
keys. It also contains status lights in the upper right corner. The additional keys on this
keyboard inlcude numeric keys, End, Home, PageUp, PageDown, Insert etc.
Q.35. What do you mean by QWERTY?
A standard keyboard is normally called QWERTY keyboard. This is because the first six keys
on top row of letters on this keyboard are Q, W, E, R, T and Y.
Q.36. What are function keys?
Function keys from F1 to F10 or F12 perform special functions. Their function depends on
the software being used in the computer.
Q.37. Describe pointing devices.
An input device used to control a pointer on the screen is called pointing device. A pointer is
a small symbol that appears on the screen in graphical user interface. Mouse and pointing
stick are examples of pointing devices. Mouse and track ball are examples of pointing
devices.
Q.38. List some examples of pointing devices.
Some important pointing devices are mouse, track ball, pointing stick, touch pad, touch
screen, light pen, graphic tablet, joystick and pen-based system.
Q.39. Define mouse.
Mouse is a small and light weight input device. It is used to control the cusor on the screen.
It is also called pointing device. It is mostly used in graphical applications.
Q.40. How does a mouse work?
Mouse is moved on a flat surface to control the movement of cursor on a screen. A mouse
usually has two or three buttons. These buttons are used to perform different tasks. It
contains small ball at the bottom. The movement of cursor depends on the movement of
ball.

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