Basic computer science interview questions and answers

 

Computer System overview  

                                                                                                                      

Q1.State the basic units of the computer. Name the subunits that make up the CPU, and give the function of each of the units.

Ans. The basic/fundamental  units of a computer:

1. Input unit 

2. Central Processing Unit (CPU) 

3. Output Unit 

4. Memory. 

Function And Subunit of CPU:

The CPU has two subunits: the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic logic unit (ALU). 

The control unit controls the entire operation being carried out. The ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations.

Q2. What is the function of memory? What are its measuring units?

Ans. The memory temporarily holds the data and information during processing.

The smallest unit of memory is a byte (8 bits). A byte can store one character in binary form. 

Other measuring units are kilobyte (KB) equal to 1024 (210) bytes, 

Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB,

Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB, 

and Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB.

Q3. Give examples for each system software and application software. Explain the function of each type.

Ans. System Software 

System software is a bunch of computer programs, which is intended to oversee system assets. It is an assortment of such records and utility projects that are liable for running and smooth working of your computer system with other hardware.

Feature of System Software

1. These are normally written in a low-level language.
2. It is difficult to oversee and control.
3. It is extremely quick to work speed of system software
4. These are more modest in size.
5. Nearer to System and hardware parts.

Application Software

Application Software is a sort of software that is principally evolved to play out a particular assignment according to the client's solicitation. It goes about as a point of interaction between the end-client and system software.

Application software isn't utilized to perform fundamental tasks of a computer system like system software. All things being equal, they are introduced into the computer system to work as a functioning device for the end client.

Application software gives an intelligent (UI) for clients to interface with it and works on it.

This software is normally evolved with the assistance of High-level dialects, like C

•  C++
• Java and so on. 

A few instances of Application software are MS Office, Paint, Spreadsheet, Web-program, and so on. In spite of the fact that application software is intended to play out a particular undertaking, a few standard functions of application software are given beneath:

Information Manipulation

Composing Reports

Making Spreadsheets

Overseeing records.

Features of Application Software

1. Application software is typically written insignificant level dialects.
2. They are bigger, henceforth need more extra room.
3. They are relatively simple to work with than system software and look more intuitive.
4. Every application software is utilized to play out a particular undertaking.

Q4. Why is primary memory termed as 'destructive write' memory but 'non-destructive read' memory?

Ans. When a memory location is read from in the primary memory, the contents of the memory word remain the same, they are not altered. Therefore, primary memory is termed as ‘non-destructive read’ memory since the read operation does not destruct the contents of a memory word. 

Q5. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

Ans. RAM, which represents random access memory, and ROM, which represents read-only memory, are both present in your computer.

RAM is volatile memory that temporarily stores the documents you are chipping away at. ROM is non-volatile memory that for all time stores directions for your computer.

Q6. What is the role of the CPU of a mobile system?

Ans. A mobile system has to cater to a variety of operations and applications and its CPU has to manage all these. Thus the CPU of a mobile system has many sub-processors that help it control and manage diverse applications. The CPU of a mobile manages all these types of applications and operations.

Q7. What is the difference between an interpreter and a compiler?

Ans. 

Interpreter	Compiler
Translates the program one statement at a time.	Scans the entire program and translates it as a whole into machine code.
Interpreters usually take less amount of time to analyze the source code. However, the overall execution time is comparatively slower than compilers.	Compilers usually take a large amount of time to analyze the source code. However, the overall execution time is comparatively faster than interpreters.
No Object Code is generated, hence is memory efficient.	Generates Object Code which further requires linking, hence requires more memory.
Programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and Ruby use interpreters.	Programming languages like C, C++, and Java use compilers.

Q8.What is application software? Why is it required?

Ans. Application software is software that pertains to one application. Application software is required because system software cannot carry out the routine jobs

performed by the user which application software can easily do. To perform various kinds of activities, the application software comes in various categories:

(i) Package  (ii) Utilities

(iii) Business Software

(iv) Developer Tools.

10. Five statements about interpreters and compilers are given below. Study each statement and determine which of them holds true for a compiler or for an interpreter.

(i) takes one statement at a time and executes it. (ii) generates an error report at the end of the translation of the whole program.

(iii) stops the translation process as soon as the first error is encountered. (iv) slows the speed of execution of program loops.

(v) translates the entire program in one go.

Solution. Interpreter: (i), (iii), (iv); Compiler: (ii), (v)