ZIMSEC O Level Computer Science Computer Terminology questions

Question 1

In computer terminology, the physical components of a computer system -- such as the mouse, keyboard, printer and scanner -- are collectively known as the computer's ___.

Accepted Answer

hardware

Question 2

A group of 8 bits that represents a single character, such as 0101 0110, is known as a...

Accepted Answer

byte

Question 3

Data processing in which transactions are collected together and processed periodically in groups, with processing running from start to end with little or no human interaction (e.g. water billing, payroll), is called ___.

Accepted Answer

batch processing

Question 4

Give the term for the loss of work-related skills that occurs when computer systems are introduced into a workplace, for example through office automation or robotics.

Accepted Answer

deskilling

Question 5

Give the term for a program that self-replicates and spreads into other computers, corrupting files and damaging hardware, such as a boot sector or file type.

Accepted Answer

virus

Question 6

Which of the following best describes e-commerce?

Accepted Answer

The buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the internet, for example online shopping or EFT point of sale.

Question 7

The gaining of illegal or unauthorised access into a computer system, often by cracking passwords, is called ______.

Accepted Answer

hacking

Question 8

The scrambling of computer data into an unreadable form, to prevent it from being read by unauthorised users such as hackers, is called ______.

Accepted Answer

encryption

Question 9

A value or character appended to the end of a numeric code, used to check the validity of the code after it is copied or entered, is called a

Accepted Answer

check digit

Question 10

What is the name of the mode of transmission where data can be sent in both directions, but not at the same time (for example a walkie-talkie or a police radio)?

Accepted Answer

half duplex

Question 11

What is the name for the exchange of signals between devices, such as a printer and a computer, used to establish that they are both ready to send and receive data?

Accepted Answer

handshaking

Computer Terminology Questions and Answers

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