CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology Syllabus

Information Technology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Information Technology in CSS General Science and Ability, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Computer Fundamentals

   3 topics

   • Input, Output and Processing
   • Data Storage and Memory
   • Software and Business Applications
2. 2

   Networking and the Internet

   3 topics

   • Computer Networks
   • Internet Standards and Protocols
   • Social Media and Cyber Issues
3. 3

   Emerging Technologies

   2 topics

   • Artificial Intelligence
   • Robotics and Automation
4. 4

   Telecommunications

   3 topics

   • Wireless and Mobile Communication
   • Satellite and GPS
   • Fiber Optic Communication

Information Technology flashcards for CSS General Science and Ability

24 of 60 cards from the Information Technology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In the basic computer model, what are the three fundamental operations performed on data?

   Input (entering data), Processing (manipulating data in the CPU), and Output (presenting results). Storage is often added as a fourth function.

2. What are the two main components of the CPU and what does each do?

   The Control Unit (CU), which directs and coordinates operations and fetches/decodes instructions, and the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.

3. Differentiate between an input device and an output device, with two examples of each.

   Input devices feed data into the computer (e.g., keyboard, mouse, scanner); output devices present processed results to the user (e.g., monitor, printer, speakers).

4. What is the machine cycle (instruction cycle) of a CPU?

   The four steps a CPU repeats: Fetch (get instruction), Decode (interpret it), Execute (carry it out), and Store (write the result back). Sometimes summarized as Fetch-Decode-Execute.

5. What is the difference between an impact and a non-impact printer? Give one example of each.

   Impact printers strike an inked ribbon against paper (e.g., dot-matrix printer); non-impact printers form characters without striking the paper (e.g., inkjet, laser printer).

6. Which devices can act as both input and output devices? Give two examples.

   Touchscreen, modem, network card, and hard disk drive all serve both functions (a touchscreen displays output and receives touch input).

7. What does the term 'bit' stand for and how many bits are in a byte?

   Bit stands for 'binary digit' (a 0 or 1). One byte equals 8 bits.

8. Order these storage units from smallest to largest: Terabyte, Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte, Byte.

   Byte < Kilobyte (KB) < Megabyte (MB) < Gigabyte (GB) < Terabyte (TB), with each step roughly 1,024 times larger than the previous.

9. What is the key difference between RAM and ROM?

   RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile, read/write, temporary working memory that loses data when power is off. ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile, retaining permanent data (like firmware) even without power.

10. Differentiate between primary (main) memory and secondary (auxiliary) memory.

    Primary memory (RAM, ROM, cache) is directly accessed by the CPU, fast, and mostly volatile. Secondary memory (HDD, SSD, USB) is non-volatile, slower, larger, and used for long-term storage.

11. What is cache memory and why is it used?

    Cache is a small, very fast memory between the CPU and RAM that stores frequently used instructions and data, reducing the time the CPU waits for slower main memory.

12. What is the main difference between an SSD and an HDD?

    An SSD (Solid State Drive) stores data on flash memory chips with no moving parts, making it faster and more durable; an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) uses spinning magnetic platters and read/write heads, making it cheaper per GB but slower.

13. Distinguish between volatile and non-volatile memory.

    Volatile memory loses its contents when power is removed (e.g., RAM). Non-volatile memory retains contents without power (e.g., ROM, flash, hard disks).

14. What is virtual memory?

    A memory management technique where part of the secondary storage (disk) is used as an extension of RAM, allowing the system to run programs larger than the available physical RAM by swapping data in and out (paging).

15. Name the memory hierarchy from fastest/smallest to slowest/largest.

    Registers, Cache (L1, L2, L3), Main memory (RAM), Secondary storage (SSD/HDD), Tertiary/Backup storage (tape, optical). Speed and cost decrease while capacity increases down the hierarchy.

16. What is the difference between system software and application software?

    System software manages and runs the computer hardware and provides a platform (e.g., operating systems, device drivers, utilities). Application software performs specific user tasks (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets, browsers).

17. What is an operating system and name three of its core functions?

    An OS is system software that manages hardware and software resources. Core functions include process/CPU management, memory management, file management, device management, and providing a user interface.

18. Differentiate between a compiler and an interpreter.

    A compiler translates an entire source program into machine code at once before execution (faster execution). An interpreter translates and executes the program line by line (easier debugging, slower).

19. Name four common business application software categories and a typical use of each.

    Word processing (documents), Spreadsheets (calculations/analysis), Database management (storing/querying data), and Presentation software (slideshows). ERP and CRM are also key business applications.

20. What do ERP and CRM stand for in business computing?

    ERP = Enterprise Resource Planning (integrates core processes like finance, HR, supply chain). CRM = Customer Relationship Management (manages a company's interactions with customers and sales).

21. What is open-source software? Give one example.

    Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and redistribute, usually free of cost. Examples: Linux, Mozilla Firefox, LibreOffice, Apache.

22. What is firmware?

    Permanent software programmed into a hardware device's read-only memory (ROM/flash) that provides low-level control for the device's specific functions (e.g., BIOS, device controllers).

23. Define a computer network and state its primary purpose.

    A computer network is two or more interconnected computing devices that can share resources and exchange data. Its purpose is resource sharing, communication, and centralized data access.

24. Compare LAN, MAN, and WAN by geographic coverage.

    LAN (Local Area Network) covers a small area like a building. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) covers a city. WAN (Wide Area Network) covers large regions or countries; the Internet is the largest WAN.

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