CS 151 - MODULE 1 | GUARANTEED SUCCESS STARTS HERE!
LEARN, PRACTICE & EXCEL!
What is programming? Answer: Developing software (programs) — writing instructions that tell
a computer what to do. In this course, we use Java to solve problems.
Define software. Answer: A collection of instructions (programs) that tell a computer what to
do.
Name the major hardware components of a computer. Answer: CPU, Memory (RAM), Storage
devices, Input devices, Output devices, Communication devices.
What are the two main components of the CPU? Answer: The Control Unit and the
Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU).
What does CPU clock speed measure and in what units? Answer: Number of electronic pulses
per second; measured in Hertz (Hz). Modern speeds are commonly in gigahertz (GHz).
Define bit and byte. Answer: Bit: a binary digit (0 or 1). Byte: a group of 8 bits.
What is an encoding scheme? Give an example. Answer: Rules for translating
characters/numbers into bits (0s and 1s). Example: ASCII, where 'C' is 01000011.
What is RAM (main memory)? Answer: Random Access Memory: volatile storage directly
connected to the CPU. Programs/data must be loaded here to run; contents lost when power
off.
What is a memory address? Answer: A unique identifier for each byte in main memory used to
locate stored data or instructions.
Why is main memory considered volatile? Answer: Because its contents are lost when the
computer's power is turned off.
Name common storage devices. Answer: Hard disk drives, CD/DVD drives, USB flash drives
(persistent storage).
Give examples of input devices. Answer: Keyboard, mouse.
Give examples of output devices. Answer: Monitor (screen), printer.
Give examples of communication devices. Answer: Dial-up modem, DSL, cable modem, NIC
(network card), wireless adapters.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
LEARN, PRACTICE & EXCEL!
What is programming? Answer: Developing software (programs) — writing instructions that tell
a computer what to do. In this course, we use Java to solve problems.
Define software. Answer: A collection of instructions (programs) that tell a computer what to
do.
Name the major hardware components of a computer. Answer: CPU, Memory (RAM), Storage
devices, Input devices, Output devices, Communication devices.
What are the two main components of the CPU? Answer: The Control Unit and the
Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU).
What does CPU clock speed measure and in what units? Answer: Number of electronic pulses
per second; measured in Hertz (Hz). Modern speeds are commonly in gigahertz (GHz).
Define bit and byte. Answer: Bit: a binary digit (0 or 1). Byte: a group of 8 bits.
What is an encoding scheme? Give an example. Answer: Rules for translating
characters/numbers into bits (0s and 1s). Example: ASCII, where 'C' is 01000011.
What is RAM (main memory)? Answer: Random Access Memory: volatile storage directly
connected to the CPU. Programs/data must be loaded here to run; contents lost when power
off.
What is a memory address? Answer: A unique identifier for each byte in main memory used to
locate stored data or instructions.
Why is main memory considered volatile? Answer: Because its contents are lost when the
computer's power is turned off.
Name common storage devices. Answer: Hard disk drives, CD/DVD drives, USB flash drives
(persistent storage).
Give examples of input devices. Answer: Keyboard, mouse.
Give examples of output devices. Answer: Monitor (screen), printer.
Give examples of communication devices. Answer: Dial-up modem, DSL, cable modem, NIC
(network card), wireless adapters.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
