Unit D: Digital Electronics and File Management
TRUE/FALSE
1. Data representation is the form in which information is conceived, manipulated, and recorded.
2. A computer is an example of an electronic digital device, meaning that it works with signals such as 1
and 0.
3. Numbers that you can use in arithmetic calculations are called numeric data.
4. Character data is composed of letters, symbols, and numerals that will be used in arithmetic
operations.
5. The binary code has two digits: 0 and 1.
6. An example of the Extended ASCII code is shown in the above figure.
7. Integrated circuits are not connected to the motherboard.
8. A processor is typically the most expensive single part of the computer.
9. Integrated circuits are made from semiconducting materials.
10. Upgrading your computer’s processor is an inexpensive and easy way to enhance your computer’s
performance.
11. An instruction set is the list of instructions a processor can perform.
12. Clock speed is measured by the number of cycles per second, and is specified in megabytes or
gigabytes.
13. Pipelining is a technology in which the processor must complete all of the steps in the instruction cycle
before it can begin to execute the next instruction.
14. Lab tests called benchmarks are performed to gauge cache size.
15. ROM is the temporary holding place for data, application instructions, and the operating system.
16. RAM speed is often expressed in nanoseconds.
17. Data stored in RAM is erased when the computer’s power is turned off.
18. RAM capacity is a small portion of determining a computer system’s performance.
19. In RAM speed, higher numbers mean faster transmission, processing, and data storage.
20. RAM is one of the most inexpensive computer components.
21. SDRAM was developed for use in Nintendo game systems.
22. CMOS contains the instructions that tell the computer how to load the operating system.
23. In order to change the data stored in RAM, you must replace the RAM chip.
24. Virtual memory use helps to increase your computer’s performance.
25. When you change a computer’s configuration, you must also update the CMOS data.
26. CMOS is more permanent than ROM.
27. A configuration file is the main executable file for a computer program.
28. A filename extension can tell you valuable information, such as the file format.
29. Windows filenames are case sensitive.
30. An operating system contains a list of files, called a root.
31. A file’s location on the disk is defined by a file specification.
32. When a file is sent to the Windows Recycle Bin it is permanently deleted from the hard disk.
33. In Mac OS, subdirectories of a disk are represented as folders.
34. Most application software allows you to perform some file management tasks, such as designating a
storage location for a saved file.
35. Internet Explorer is the Windows file management utility.
36. Mac OS uses a file management tool called Explorer.
37. In Windows Explorer, the minus-sign next to a folder means that it does not contain any files.
38. In Windows Explorer, the folders and files contained in the currently selected device or driver are
shown in the right pane.
39. In Windows Explorer, clicking a plus sign next to an icon displays the item’s contents in the right
pane.
40. Once a device or object has been expanded in the left pane of Windows Explorer, it is preceded by a
minus-sign.
41. To rename a file you change the file extension.
42. When you move a file or folder using a file management tool, it is placed in the new location and a
copy remains in the old location.
43. When you receive a storage medium, typically you must format it before using.
44. Formatting a storage medium divides it into tracks and sectors.
45. On floppy disks, one or more storage tracks spiral out from the center of the formatted disk.
46. File systems keep track of which clusters are empty and which ones hold data.
47. The Mac OS operating system uses the FAT32 file system.
48. Each storage medium contains its own index file.
49. When you save a file, your file system rearranges clusters in order to store the file in sequential
clusters.
50. When you retrieve a file, the operating system uses the index file to find the file’s location on the disk.
51. When you delete a file from the directory, it is removed from the clusters on the disk.
52. Because of the index file, storing files in nonadjacent clusters does not affect performance.
53. Tracks and sectors on a disk are each assigned a letter.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The ____ system uses 1s and 0s to represent data.
a.
Morse code
c.
ASCII
b.
binary
d.
data representation
2. Letters, symbols, and numerals are examples of ____ data.
a.
numeric
c.
character
b.
binary
d.
digital
3. ____ is a type of code used to represent character data.
a.
ASCII
c.
EBCDIC
b.
Unicode
d.
All of the above are examples
4. The part of the file that is stored with the file, read by the computer, and that indicates what code was
used to represent the file data is called the file ____.
a.
extension
c.
representation
b.
format
d.
header
5. A ____ is one binary digit.
a.
character
c.
byte
b.
bit
d.
None of the above
6. The figure above shows a sample of ____ code.
a.
Extended ASCII
c.
character
b.
Unicode
d.
numeric
7. Which of the following is NOT another term for integrated circuit?
a.
computer chip
c.
chip
b.
microchip
d.
compuchip
8. The main system board of a computer is called the ____.
a.
integrated circuit
c.
processor
b.
motherboard
d.
microchip
9. DIMMs, PGAs, and DIPs are all examples of ____.
a.
chip packages
c.
system units
b.
processors
d.
motherboards
10. ____ introduced the first processor in 1971.
a.
Apple
c.
AMD
b.
IBM
d.
Intel
11. Using ____ technology, a processor can begin to execute a second set of steps before it completes the
first instruction.
a.
pipelining
c.
CISC
b.
serial processing
d.
cache
12. All processors have two main parts: the control unit and the ____.
a.
cache
c.
ALU
b.
instruction set
d.
CISC
13. Which of the following is true about dual core processors?
a.
A computer’s operating system and software should be optimized to use them.
b.
They use RISC technology.
c.
They are much slower.
d.
They perform tasks one at a time.
14. The ALU uses ____ to hold data that is being processed
a.
cache
c.
registers
b.
RAM
d.
accumulators
15. The pace for executing instructions is set by the ____.
a.
system timer
c.
control unit
b.
instruction set
d.
processor clock
16. Which of the following is NOT true about cache?
a.
L1 and L2 cache are located on the processor chip.
b.
Cache capacity is typically measured in kilobytes.
c.
A processor can access data from its cache faster than from elsewhere on the system
board.
d.
The amount and location of cache memory both affect performance.
17. Most PC processors use ____ technology.
a.
ALU
c.
CISC
b.
RISC
d.
DIMM
18. As shown in the above figure, which step happens first in the ALU?
a.
Results are sent to RAM
b.
Data is placed in the accumulator
c.
Data is held in the registers
d.
The control unit signals the operation to be performed
19. As shown in the above figure, where are the results sent before they are output or stored?
a.
registers
c.
RAM
b.
accumulator
d.
control unit
20. In RAM, electronic parts called ____ hold the bits that represent data.
a.
capacitors
c.
buffers
b.
waiting rooms
d.
chalkboards
21. ____ memory makes the biggest difference in a computer system’s operations.
a.
CMOS
c.
RAM
b.
ROM
d.
virtual memory
22. If an ad specifies that a computer has these specifications: “3 GB 533 MHz SDRAM (max. 5 GB),”
you know that the speed is ____.
a.
3 GB
c.
SDRAM
b.
533 MHz
d.
5 GB
23. Which of the following is NOT true about filename conventions for the Windows operating system?
a.
Spaces and numbers are allowed
b.
Any filename is allowed
c.
Filenames cannot be longer than 255 characters
d.
Filenames are not case sensitive
24. The ____ is the coding scheme and arrangement of data in a file.
a.
data representation
c.
configuration
b.
filename
d.
file format
25. Filename extensions indicate the ____ file format.
a.
original
c.
native
b.
digital
d.
conventional
26. A program’s help file or dictionary is an example of a(n) ____ file.
a.
support
c.
application
b.
configuration
d.
executable
27. The main file directory of a disk is called the ____ directory.
a.
root
c.
folder
b.
sub
d.
network
28. In graphical file managers, folders are used to represent ____.
a.
file specifications
c.
files
b.
subdirectories
d.
file locations
29. Files you delete from your hard disk are sent to the Windows ____.
a.
Trashcan
b.
Transfer Station
c.
Recycle Bin
d.
None of the above; they are permanently deleted from the hard drive
30. File size is usually measured in ____.
a.
bytes
c.
megabytes
b.
kilobytes
d.
Any of the above
31. Finder and Spotlight are examples of ____.
a.
file management utilities
c.
data files
b.
dialog boxes
d.
application software
32. Utilities that help you find information in your files and folders are called ____ search tools.
a.
Windows
c.
desktop
b.
File management
d.
Spotlight
33. In Windows Explorer, files or devices with a(n) ____ contain subfolders that can be displayed in the
left pane.
a.
plus-sign
c.
backslash (\)
b.
folder icon
d.
equals-sign
34. You can do all of the following to folders, EXCEPT: ____.
a.
rename
c.
delete
b.
copy
d.
defragment
35. ____ files are stored in noncontiguous clusters.
a.
Defragmented
c.
Displaced
b.
Fragmented
d.
Clustered
36. Most versions of the Mac OS use the ____ file system.
a.
FAT
c.
HFS
b.
MFT
d.
Ext2fs
37. Each storage medium contains its own ____ file, which lists the location of each file.
a.
allocation
c.
sector
b.
MFT
d.
index
38. A(n) ____ utility rearranges files so that they are stored in adjacent clusters.
a.
defragmentation
c.
accessibility
b.
file management
d.
formatting
COMPLETION
1. A series of 8 bits is called a(n) ____________________.
2. Social security numbers, addresses, and names are all examples of ____________________ data.
3. ______________________________ is the company whose processors are the chief competition to
Intel’s processors.
4. Lab tests called ____________________ are performed to gauge overall processor speed.
5. ______________________________ is the memory type that holds portions of the operating system
and application programs that are waiting to be stored, processed, or printed.
6. RAM is considered to be ____________________, meaning that it requires electrical power in order to
hold data.
7. Data and program instructions can be stored in ____________________ memory when RAM space is
exceeded.
8. A computer will not function without the ROM chip and the
___________________________________ instructions.
9. CMOS memory is stored on a chip and powered by a small ____________________.
10. The main directory of a disk is referred to as the ____________________ directory.
11. In a graphical file manager, a folder represents a ____________________.
12. A computer’s file location is defined by a file ____________________.
13. The file ____________________ is useful if you have saved the same file with slightly different file
names and you want to tell which is the most recent.
14. Spotlight and ____________________ are examples of Mac OS file management tools.
15. The ____________________ command saves a file with its current name and location.
16. A ____________________ search tool is a utility that helps you find information in files and folders.
17. In Windows Explorer, the computer’s hierarchy of storage devices and folders is shown in the
____________________ pane.
18. In Windows Explorer, the files and folders stored in the currently selected device or folder are shown
in the ____________________ pane.
19. Once a device or object has been expanded in the left pane of Windows Explorer, it is preceded by a
____________________ sign.
20. A ____________________ is a copy of your files made for safekeeping.
21. When a disk is formatted, it is divided into tracks, and each track is divided into wedge-shaped
____________________.
22. A group of sectors on a disk is called a ____________________.
MATCHING
Match the integrated circuit type with the corresponding number in the above figure.
a.
1
c.
3
b.
2
d.
4
1. PGA
2. DIMM
3. SEC
4. DIP
Match the computer memory type with its description.
a.
RAM
d.
ROM BIOS
b.
ROM
e.
virtual memory
c.
CMOS
5. Temporary and volatile
6. Stored on a chip that is powered by a small battery
7. Set of instructions that tell the computer how to access the hard disk
8. Permanent instructions; the chip must be replaced to change them
9. Stores parts of a program or data file until the computer has enough memory to process them
Match the type of computer file with its description.
a.
configuration
d.
program
b.
program data
e.
support
c.
temporary
f.
data file
10. Program instructions that are executed in conjunction with the main .exe file
11. Information about a program used by the computer to allocate necessary resources in order to run it
12. Examples include a dictionary or help file
13. Examples include documents, video, or databases
14. The main executable file for an application
15. Contains data that is discarded when a file is closed
ESSAY
1. Describe the different memory types: RAM, ROM, CMOS, and virtual memory.
2. Describe some of the measures you can take to manage files on your computer effectively.
3. What are some factors that determine a processor’s performance?