Science · X-Factor Notes
Revision Summary: Computer and Information Technology revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Father of Computers | Charles Babbage is known as the Father of Computers. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013 |
| First Indigenously Developed Supercomputer | Named Param, designed and assembled by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune in 1991. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
| BARC Supercomputer Project | The supercomputer project developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is Anupam. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
| Y2K Problem | Related to the difficulty in finding a suitable replacement when the last two digits of the year become zero (Millennium Bug). |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Function | The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the most important part of a computer, where information is analyzed. | UPPCS(Pre) 2012 |
| Control Unit Function | The Control Unit (CU) in the CPU is responsible for decoding program instructions. | |
| Hardware Components |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Smallest Unit of Data | A Bit (Binary Digit) is the smallest unit (0 or 1). | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010 |
| Unit of Memory Size | Byte (a group of 8 bits). | |
| 1 Kilobyte (KB) | Equal to |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Assembler Function | Converts assembly language into machine language. | UPPCS (Pre) 2005 |
| Language Computers Understand | Machine language (based on 0 and 1) is the elemental language a computer is capable of understanding. | |
| Machine Language Basis |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Supercomputer Performance Unit | Performance of a supercomputer is measured in FLOPs (floating-point operations per second). | UPPCS (Pre) 1998 |
| Digital India Aims (IT Act 2015) | Includes connecting villages to the internet and bringing Wi-Fi to schools, public places, and tourist centres. | |
| Cybersecurity Incident Reporting |
| UPPCS (Pre) 2000 |
| World Wide Web (WWW) | Stands for World Wide Web. | UPPCS (Pre) 2015, UPPCS (Mains) 2010, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2010 |
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| Inventor of WWW | Tim Berners-Lee is considered the inventor of the World Wide Web (www). | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011 |
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| Web Crawler | Also known as a Web Spider. | UPPCS (Mains) 2009 |
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| Bug | An error, flaw, failure or fault in a computer program or system is known as a Bug. | U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010 |
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| W3C | Stands for World Wide Web Consortium. |
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| CPU Terminology | CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, not Control Processing Unit. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021 |
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| Information Technology (IT) | The term IT can be defined as Connectivity + Hardware. |
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| Third Generation Computer Component | The main electronic component was the Integrated Circuit (IC). | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016 |
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| IC Chip Material | IC chips for computers are usually made of Silicon. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004, U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014, UPPCS (Mains) 2006, UPPCS (Pre) 2004, UPPCS (Pre) 2002 |
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| IC Classification | ICs are classified on the basis of the number of transistors (SSI, MSI, LSI, VLSI). | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2015 |
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| IC Chip Material | The semiconductor chip used in the integrated circuit is made up of Silicon. |
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| Permanent/Non-volatile Memory | ROM (Read-Only Memory) is considered the permanent memory of a computer, retaining data when power is off. The BIOS program is stored here. | UPPCS (Mains) 2012, UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
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| RAM Characteristics | RAM is volatile and provides temporary storage (lost when power is off). It is not like a hard disk storage. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013 |
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| Cache Memory | An extremely fast, small memory located between the CPU and main memory, used to speed up computer processing. It has the shortest access time. |
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| Flash Memory | The statement that flash memory is cheaper than normal mechanical disk drives is incorrect in terms of per unit storage. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
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| UPPCS (R.I.) 2014, U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2015 |
| 1 Megabyte (MB) | Equal to 1024 Kilobytes. | UPPCS (Pre) 2016* |
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| 1 Megabyte (in bytes) | Approximately a million bytes, specifically 10,48,576 bytes. |
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| Binary Addition | results in 0 with carry 1. |
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| Supercomputer Word Length | Word length for supercomputers ranges up to 64 bits (compared to 32 bits for personal computers). |
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| Unicode Encoding | Represents a character as a group of 16 bits. |
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| Word Processing Software | MS Word is used for processing text data. Word processors and spreadsheets are examples of Application Software. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002 |
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| Modem Function (Modulation/Demodulation) | A Modem converts analog signals into digital signals and vice versa, allowing data transfer over telephone lines. | UPPCS (Pre) 2002, UPPCS (Mains) 2007 |
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| Modem Interface | A modem interfaces telephone lines and computer equipment. |
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| UNIX Core | The central part or core of the UNIX Operating System is the Kernel. |
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| Computer Virus | An intentionally disruptive software that spreads from computer to computer. Virus stands for Vital Information Resource Under Siege. | UPPCS (Pre) 1993 |
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| Prolog | Prolog is an example of a 5th generation AI programming language focusing on logic programming. |
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| Daisy Wheel Printer | An early type of Impact Printer. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013 |
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| Individual Cyber Insurance | Generally covers restoration costs due to malware but typically does not cover the cost of a new computer if wilfully damaged. |
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| AI Applications | AI can effectively bring down electricity consumption in industrial units, aid in disease diagnosis, and perform Text-to-Speech Conversion. |
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| Turing Test | The Imitation Game was the original name of the Turing Test, used to determine if a machine can exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to a human. |
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