Python Review

An algorithm describes a process that may or may not halt after arriving at a solution to a problem.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

An algorithm describes a process that will always eventually halt after arriving at a solution to a problem.

What processor was contained in the first mass-produced personal computer?

• Intel 8080

• AMD486

• NEC V20

• Motorola 88000

Answer explanation

The first mass-produced personal computer, the Altair, contained Intel’s 8080 processor, the first microprocessor chip. It did not contain an NEC V20 chip.

The most important example of system software is a computer's operating system.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The most important example of system software is a computer's operating system, and not something else like applications software.

A flash memory stick is an example of what type of storage media?

• magnetic storage media

• optical storage media

• electrical storage media 

• semiconductor storage media

Answer explanation

A flash memory stick is an example of semiconductor storage media, whereas CDs and DVDs are examples of optical storage media.

In computer memory, information is stored as patterns of bytes (1s and 0s).

• True
• False

Answer explanation

In computer memory, information is stored as patterns of binary digits (1s and 0s), not bytes.

What language was designed based on a theory of recursive functions and is considered to be an ideal language for solving difficult or complex problems?

• COBOL

• FORTRAN

• LISP

• Assembler

Answer explanation

LISP was designed based on a theory of recursive functions and is considered to be an ideal language for solving difficult or complex problems. COBOL was developed for data processing in the U.S. government, and banks, insurance companies, and other institutions were quick to adopt its use in data-processing applications.

What was the first PC-based operating system called?

• Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS)

• UNIX

• Linux

• Control Program for Microcomputers (CP/M)

Answer explanation

The first PC-based operating system was called Control Program for Microcomputers (CP/M).

The part of a computer that is responsible for processing data is the central processing unit (CPU).

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The part of a computer that is responsible for processing data is the central processing unit (CPU), not the memory, input devices, or output devices.

Moore's Law states that the processing speed and storage capacity of hardware will increase, and its cost will decrease, by approximately a factor of 3 every 18 months.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Moore's Law states that the processing speed and storage capacity of hardware will increase, and its cost will decrease, by approximately a factor of 2, not 3, every 18 months.

What would be the output if you were to print the variable named value as declared by this statement: value = "2" + "2"?

• the number 4

• the floating-point value 4.0

• the string "22" (without the quotation marks)

• a type error, as integers cannot be concatenated

Answer explanation

The output would be 22. Because the 2s are in quotation marks, they are treated as strings, not numbers. The + operator glues/concatenates the two strings together rather than adding the numbers they represent.