Computer Fundamentals
🔒 Log in to trackGenerations of computers, types, basic organisation (CPU, ALU, CU), pioneers and the abbreviations bank. Two to three guaranteed marks in the Tier-2 Computer Knowledge Test and the base for every other computer topic.
One page per subtopic: detailed notes, every question type, formulas, tricks and practice sets.
Every formula on one printable page, grouped by subtopic.
4 exam-level questions worked step by step.
81 questions — untimed practice or a timed test with analysis.
Track record in the exam
Test difficulty mix (81 questions)
Question patterns exams keep repeating
Taken from previous-year papers. If a pattern is marked "very common", expect to see it in your exam.
Which generation uses which technology
very common"Third-generation computers used ___" or "Transistors belong to which generation?"
Learn the order: vacuum tube, transistor, IC, microprocessor, AI.
Match the technology first, the years second.
Which technology marks the third generation of computers?
1st generation = vacuum tubes
2nd generation = transistors
3rd generation = Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Answer: Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Full form of a computer term
very common"What is the full form of BIOS / ALU / MICR / UPS?"
Expand it letter by letter.
Watch the one changed word, e.g. UPS = Uninterruptible (not Uninterrupted).
The full form of POST is:
P = Power-On
S = Self
T = Test (the start-up check before the OS loads)
Answer: Power-On Self-Test
First computer of its kind
common"First commercial computer" or "first stored-program computer".
Read the exact word: electronic, general-purpose, stored-program, commercial or microprocessor.
Match: ABC, ENIAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC-I, Intel 4004.
Which machine is regarded as the first commercially available computer?
ENIAC was the first general-purpose electronic computer
But it was not sold to businesses
UNIVAC-I was the first one sold commercially
Answer: UNIVAC-I
CPU parts and machine cycle
common"Which unit does arithmetic?" or "the correct order of the machine cycle".
The cycle is Fetch → Decode → Execute → Store.
ALU does maths and logic. The Control Unit only directs.
In the machine cycle, which step interprets what the instruction means?
Fetch = bring the instruction from memory
Decode = understand it (Control Unit)
Execute = carry it out
Answer: Decode
Which one is not a translator / language type
common"Which of these is not a programming language / translator?"
Sort each option into its family first.
The odd one is usually a famous name from another family.
Which is NOT a translator: Assembler, Compiler, HTML, Interpreter?
Translators change code into machine language
Assembler, compiler and interpreter all do this
HTML only marks up web pages
Answer: HTML
Types of computers
commonA job is described (weather forecast, bank records, petrol pump) and the computer type is asked.
Size order: Super → Mainframe → Mini → Micro.
Analog measures, digital counts 0/1, hybrid does both.
A petrol pump measures fuel flow continuously and shows the price in digits. It is a:
Measuring flow continuously = analog part
Showing the price in digits = digital part
Both together = hybrid
Answer: Hybrid computer
Inventors and language levels
common"Who invented the mouse / WWW?" or "SQL is which generation language?"
Match each person to one invention.
Language levels: 1GL machine, 2GL assembly, 3GL high-level, 4GL SQL.
Which language needs no translator to run on the CPU?
Machine language is only 0s and 1s
The CPU understands it directly
Assembly language needs an assembler
Answer: Machine language