Question 1

Storage devices that hold currently executing programs are called ____

Accepted Answer

Primary storage, also known as main memory or RAM, is where currently executing programs and their data are stored. Registers are a type of small, fast memory used by the CPU for specific tasks. Qubits are used in quantum computing, which is a separate category of computing. Secondary storage, such as hard drives and flash drives, hold data and programs that are not currently in use.

Question 2

Storage devices that hold data not needed by currently running programs are called ____

Accepted Answer

Secondary storage devices such as hard disks, solid-state drives or flash drives hold data that is not immediately needed by the currently running programs. Primary storage refers to the computer's memory, while registers are small storage locations within the processor used to hold data temporarily. Qubits are quantum bits used in quantum computing, and are not currently used in mainstream storage devices.

Question 3

The evolution of Microsoft OSs is a good example of how software development depends on hardware technology.

Accepted Answer

The evolution of Microsoft OSs, from MS-DOS to Windows 10, shows how software development has been influenced by hardware technology advancements. For example, the first versions of Windows required more powerful hardware to run, and with the development of faster processors, better graphics cards, and more storage capacity, Windows has evolved to include new features and capabilities that were not possible before. Likewise, the development of hardware technology has helped Microsoft to optimize its software for different devices and form factors, such as tablets and smartphones. Therefore, the evolution of Microsoft OSs is a good example of how software development depends on hardware technology advancements.

Question 4

In classical physics, a group of 3 bits can store only one of ____ possible values at a time.

Accepted Answer

In classical physics, each bit can hold two possible values (0 or 1). Therefore, a group of 3 bits can hold 2 x 2 x 2 = 8 possible values at a time.

Question 5

A(n) ____ is a program in which different sets of instructions are applied to different data input values.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a set of instructions that takes input data and processes it to produce output. It can include different sets of instructions based on different input values, making it a program that can handle multiple scenarios. Systems, problems, and solutions may involve algorithms, but they are not inherently programs designed to handle varying input data.

Question 6

Any matter that stores data in multiple simultaneous quantum states is called a ____.

Accepted Answer

A qubit is a basic unit of quantum information, similar to a bit in classical computing. However, unlike a classical bit, which can only exist in one of two states (0 or 1), a qubit can exist in multiple simultaneous quantum states, allowing for more complex information storage and processing.

Question 7

Optical computation harnesses the energy of moving ____ to perform computational work.

Accepted Answer

Optical computation harnesses the energy of moving photons to perform computational work.

Question 8

The CPU contains a few internal storage locations called ____, each capable of holding a single instruction or data item.

Accepted Answer

The internal storage locations in the CPU that are capable of holding a single instruction or data item are called registers. The ALU is a component of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical operations, while shifters are components that shift bits in binary data. The compiler is a software program that translates human-readable code into machine-readable code, and is not a physical component of the CPU. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 9

Early mechanical computation devices were built to perform ____.

Accepted Answer

Early mechanical computation devices, such as the abacus and slide rule, were designed to perform repetitive mathematical calculations. They were used for tasks such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and were valuable tools for engineers, mathematicians, and accountants.

Question 10

In a modern digital computer, data is represented by groups of ____.

Accepted Answer

In a modern digital computer, data is represented by groups of bits. Each bit has a value of either 0 or 1, and these bits are combined to represent larger values such as characters, numbers, and instructions. Qubits, photons, and waves are terms typically associated with quantum computing, which is different from traditional digital computing.

Question 11

____ signals can carry more data than electrical signals.

Accepted Answer

Optical signals use light waves to transmit information, allowing for higher data transfer rates than electrical signals, which rely on the movement of electrons. This is why optical fibers are used for high-speed internet connections and long-distance communication.

Question 12

A particle of light is called a ____.

Accepted Answer

A particle of light is called a photon.

Question 13

​A simple definition of a computer is a device that can accept numeric inputs, perform computational functions, and ____.

Accepted Answer

While computers can perform computational functions and store data, their ability to communicate results is a defining feature that sets them apart from other machines or devices. Therefore, the best choice is A, communicate results. The other options (B, solve formulas, C, store data on disk or flash RAM, and D, detect quantum storage states) are all functions that computers can perform, but they do not encompass the full range of capabilities that computers have.

Question 14

In current computer hardware, main memory is implemented with silicon-based semiconductor devices commonly called ____.

Accepted Answer

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the most commonly used silicon-based semiconductor device for implementing main memory in current computer hardware. Flash, PROM, and ROM are also semiconductor devices, but they are typically used for different purposes, such as non-volatile storage or firmware.

Question 15

____ physics describes the behavior of matter at a subatomic level.

Accepted Answer

Quantum physics is the branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at a subatomic level, where classical physics concepts such as Newtonian mechanics and Einstein's theory of relativity do not apply.

Question 16

Optical light pulses can be stored indirectly, such as ____.

Accepted Answer

Optical light pulses can be stored indirectly on the surface of a DVD using a reflective layer that reflects light in patterns that encode data. Magnetic disks and flash memory use different methods of data storage, and records use physical grooves to store audio information.

Question 17

The 80386 provided hardware support for running multiple programs simultaneously, simplified partitioning primary storage among programs, and provided mechanisms for preventing programs from interfering with one another.

Accepted Answer

The 80386 introduced hardware support for multitasking, virtual memory, and protection mechanisms, which allowed multiple programs to run simultaneously without interfering with each other. This helped simplify the partitioning of primary storage and prevented programs from accessing or modifying each other's memory. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 18

Quantum physics describes subatomic behavior with ____.

Accepted Answer

Quantum physics primarily uses mathematical rules to describe the behavior of subatomic particles, as it relies heavily on mathematical formulations and models.

Question 19

An end-user accesses a Web-based application via a URL.

Accepted Answer

A Web-based application can be accessed by end-users via a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which identifies the specific page or resource being accessed on the web server.

Question 20

The first commercially available quantum computer was built by ____.

Accepted Answer

The first commercially available quantum computer was built by D-Wave Systems in 2011, called D-Wave One.

Quiz 2: Introduction to Systems Architecture