Computing Fundamentals Flashcards
6 cards from real IC3 practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Computing Fundamentals flashcards as text
What is the primary function of the BIOS in a computer system?
Answer: Initialize hardware and load the operating system
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) initializes and tests hardware during the boot process and loads the operating system from storage.
Which type of software translates high-level programming languages into machine code?
Answer: A compiler
A compiler translates source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code that the computer's processor can execute directly.
What does the term 'volatile memory' refer to?
Answer: Memory that loses data when power is removed
Volatile memory, such as RAM, requires continuous electrical power to retain data. When the computer is turned off, all data in volatile memory is lost.
What is the main purpose of an operating system's file management system?
Answer: To organize, store, retrieve, and manage data on storage devices
The file management system handles how data is organized into files and folders, controls read/write access, and manages storage space on drives.
Which computer component is responsible for rendering images and video on a display?
Answer: GPU
The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is specifically designed to handle rendering images, video, and animations, offloading this work from the CPU.
What is the purpose of a device driver?
Answer: To allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices
Device drivers are software that act as translators between the operating system and hardware devices, enabling the OS to send and receive data from peripherals.