Computer Science Quiz

The ______ tells the computer what to do, such as instructing the computer which device to read or send output to.

• main memory

• motherboard

• operating system

• control unit

A(n) ______ is an input device.

• plasma display

• laser printer

• data tablet

• inkjet printer

The object-oriented programming language principle of encapsulation is the ability to process objects differently depending on their data type or class.

• True

• False

The supervisor program in an operating system (OS) is also known as the ______.

• metadata

• kernel

• applet

• cache

A server is a set of programs for controlling and managing computer hardware and software.

• True

• False

The principle of ______ in object-oriented programming is used to handle complexity by hiding unnecessary details from the user.

• inheritance

• encapsulation

• abstraction

• polymorphism

ENIAC is an example of a first-generation computer.

• True

• False

Obtaining the data of a video file from a flash drive is an example of a(n) ________ operation.

• retrieval
• exponentiation

• storage

• comparison

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of gallium arsenide chips.

Answer explanation

Because silicon cannot emit light and has speed limitations, computer designers have concentrated on technology using gallium arsenide, in which electrons move almost five times faster than silicon. Devices made with this synthetic compound can emit light, withstand higher temperatures, and survive much higher doses of radiation than silicon devices. The major problems with gallium arsenide are difficulties in mass production. This material is softer and more fragile than silicon, so it breaks more easily during slicing and polishing. Because of the high costs and difficulty of production, the military is currently the major user of this technology. However, research continues to eliminate some shortcomings of this technology.

A(n) ______ is the enclosure containing the computer’s main components.

• computer chassis
• disk drive

• parallel port

• expansion slot