CS 107

Spring Semester 2005

Section 52

Midterm Exam

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Syllabus

Assignments

Lectures

 Directions:
  1. Open MS Word
  2. Select the questions and the extra credit questions below and cut and paste into the Word document
  3. Add a header with your name, "Midterm Exam", and the date
  4. Save the document
  5. Answer each question within the Word document immediately following each question
  6. Spell check the exam
  7. Printout a copy of the exam and turn it in.

Each question is worth 5 points. Partial credit will be given for partially correct answers.

 


Question 1:Describe three of the four kinds of tasks that as computer system can perform.
Question 2:What is the difference between operating system software and applications software?  Give two examples of each.
Question 3:What is the relationship between a computer program and an algorithm?
Question 4:How did the development of the GUI effect the popularity of home computing?
Question 5:Compare and contrast the CISC chip and the RISC chip.
Question 6:Why are point and draw devices necessary for today's computer systems?  What software changes required the addition of these devices?
Question 7:What is a software suite and what the advantage to using one?
Question 8:Describe the three parts of an operating system.
Question 9:How does cache memory speed up processing time?
Question 10:Compare and contrast primary storage and secondary storage.
Question 11:Besides magnetic storage disks and optical disks, describe one other type of secondary storage device.
Question 12:What is Moore's Law and how does it effect today's computer technology?
Question 13:How has Information Technology effected the current economy of the USA?
Question 14:Why can't software written for a Macintosh computer run on a Windows OS machine?
Question 15:Compare and contrast a magnetic storage disk and an optical storage disk; give an example of each.
Question 16:Explain what influence word size has on processing time.
Question 17:What is deskilling and what is upskilling?  Give an example of each.
Question 18:What are the two main catagories of computer monitors and how does each display output?
Question 19:What new technology allowed for the miniaturization of computers in the 1970's ?  What generation of computers is this called?
Question 20:Describe three different types of input devices; how does each device receive the input?

Extra Credit Questions

5 points each

  1. What is the name of the author of Computer Confluence?
  2. What well-known TV personality does the author resemble?

Last Updated: 3/16/05