Starting Out with C++ from Control Structures through Objects, 11th Edition by Gaddis
Chapters 1-25
Chapter 1 Introduction to Computers and Programming
True/False Questions
1) Software engineering is a field that encompasses designing, writing, testing, debugging,
documenting, modifying, and maintaining computer programs.
Answer: TRUE
2) Pseudocode is a form of a program statement that will always evaluate to "false."
Answer: FALSE
3) In programming, the terms "line" and "statement" always mean the same thing.
Answer: FALSE
4) In C++, keywords are written in all lowercase letters.
Answer: TRUE
5) The preprocessor executes after the compiler.
Answer: FALSE
6) Machine language is an example of a high-level language.
Answer: FALSE
7) A CPU only understands machine language instructions.
Answer: TRUE
8) Programs are often referred to as hardware.
Answer: FALSE
9) The CPU is the most important component in a computer because without it, the computer could
not run software.
Answer: TRUE
10) The term "bit" stands for binary digit.
Answer: TRUE
11) During the execute stage of the fetch/decode/execute cycle, a signal is routed to the appropriate
component of the computer, causing it to perform an operation.
Answer: TRUE
12) A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is designed to perform many calculations simultaneously,
making it well-suited for AI, machine learning, and graphics processing.
Answer: TRUE
,13) Main memory is nonvolatile, meaning its contents are preserved even when the computer is
powered off.
Answer: FALSE
14) Cloud storage is a form of secondary storage that allows data to be accessed from multiple
devices over an internet connection.
Answer: TRUE
15) An operating system is an example of application software.
Answer: FALSE
16) Pseudocode is a tool used during program design that combines elements of human language
and a programming language to outline a program's logic.
Answer: TRUE
17) A runtime error is always detected and reported by the compiler before the program is
executed.
Answer: FALSE
Multiple Choice Questions
1) What does the term hardware refer to?
A) the relative difficulty of writing computer programs
B) the physical components that make up a computer
C) the way a computer's storage space is organized
D) the logical flow of instructions
E) None of these
Answer: B
2) A(n) ________ is a set of instructions that the computer follows to solve a problem.
A) compiler
B) linker
C) program
D) operator
E) None of these
Answer: C
3) Computer programs are also known as
A) hardware
B) firmware
C) software
D) Any of these
E) None of these
Answer: C
4) At the heart of a computer is its central processing unit. The CPU's job is
A) to fetch instructions
B) to carry out the operations commanded by the instructions
C) to produce some outcome or resultant information
,D) All of these
E) None of these
Answer: D
5) A computer stores a program while it is running
A) in main memory
B) on a hard disk
C) on the computer monitor
D) in the CPU
E) None of these
Answer: A
6) The ________ decodes an instruction and generates an electronic signal.
A) Arithmetic and Logic Unit
B) Main memory
C) BIOS
D) Control Unit
E) None of these
Answer: D
7) The CPU's control unit retrieves the next instruction in a sequence of program instructions from
main memory in the ________ stage.
A) fetch
B) decode
C) execute
D) portability
Answer: A
8) During which stage does the central processing unit analyze the instruction and encode it in the
form of a number, and then generate an electronic signal?
A) fetch
B) decode
C) execute
D) portability
Answer: B
9) The two parts of the CPU are
A) the output device and the input device
B) the software and the hardware
C) the Control Unit and the Arithmetic and Logic Unit
D) the single-task device and the multi-task device
E) None of these
Answer: C
10) A volatile type of memory that is used for temporary storage is
A) an address
B) the ALU
C) RAM
D) a disk drive
, E) None of these
Answer: C
11) The purpose of a memory address is
A) to identify the location of a byte in memory
B) to prevent multitasking
C) to obtain an algorithm
D) to improve the speed of processing
E) None of these
Answer: A
12) During which stage of the fetch/decode/execute cycle is a signal sent to the appropriate
hardware component to carry out an operation?
A) fetch
B) decode
C) execute
D) portability
E) None of these
Answer: C
13) Which of the following best describes a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)?
A) a processor that executes one instruction at a time very quickly
B) a processor designed to perform many calculations simultaneously, used for graphics, AI, and
machine learning
C) a type of volatile memory used to store running programs
D) the unit inside the CPU that coordinates all CPU operations
E) None of these
Answer: B
14) Which of the following is an example of system software?
A) a word processing program
B) a video game
C) an operating system
D) a web browser
E) None of these
Answer: C
15) A utility program is best described as
A) a program that controls the internal hardware operations of a computer
B) a program such as a virus scanner or file-compression tool that performs a specialized task
C) the compiler and linker used to translate source code
D) a program used directly by users to accomplish everyday tasks such as writing documents or
browsing the web
E) None of these
Answer: B