IBPS PO Computer Knowledge Syllabus

Computer Knowledge syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Computer Knowledge in IBPS PO, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Basics of Computers

   2 topics

   • Hardware
   • Software
2. 2

   Internet

   2 topics

   • Internet Basics
   • Web Browsers
3. 3

   MS Office

   3 topics

   • MS Word
   • MS Excel
   • MS PowerPoint

Computer Knowledge flashcards for IBPS PO

23 of 50 cards from the Computer Knowledge deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is computer hardware?

   The physical, tangible components of a computer system (e.g., CPU, monitor, keyboard, hard disk) that can be touched, as opposed to software.

2. What does CPU stand for and what is its role?

   Central Processing Unit — the 'brain' of the computer that executes instructions; it consists of the ALU, Control Unit (CU), and registers.

3. What are the two main components inside the CPU?

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

4. Differentiate 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 permanent memory that retains data without power.

5. What is the difference between an input device and an output device? Give examples.

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

6. What is a motherboard?

   The main printed circuit board (PCB) that connects and allows communication between all components — CPU, memory, storage, and peripherals.

7. Order the memory hierarchy by speed, fastest to slowest.

   Registers > Cache memory > Main memory (RAM) > Secondary storage (HDD/SSD).

8. What is cache memory?

   A small, very fast memory located between the CPU and RAM that stores frequently accessed data to speed up processing.

9. Convert: how many bytes are in 1 KB, 1 MB, 1 GB, and 1 TB (binary)?

   1 KB = 1024 bytes; 1 MB = 1024 KB; 1 GB = 1024 MB; 1 TB = 1024 GB.

10. How many bits are in one byte, and what is a nibble?

    1 byte = 8 bits; a nibble = 4 bits (half a byte).

11. What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?

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

12. What is software? Name its two main types.

    Software is a set of instructions/programs that tell hardware what to do. Two main types: System software and Application software.

13. What is system software? Give examples.

    Software that manages and controls hardware and provides a platform for applications — e.g., operating systems, device drivers, utilities, compilers.

14. What is application software? Give examples.

    Software designed for specific user tasks — e.g., MS Word, Excel, web browsers, media players, games.

15. What is an operating system (OS)? Name three examples.

    System software that manages hardware, software resources, and provides services to programs. Examples: Windows, Linux, macOS (also Android, iOS).

16. What is firmware?

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

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

    System software runs and manages the computer/hardware (OS, drivers); application software helps users perform specific tasks (Word, browsers).

18. What is an utility program? Give an example.

    System software that performs maintenance tasks like antivirus, disk cleanup, file compression, backup, and defragmentation.

19. What does GUI stand for and what does it mean?

    Graphical User Interface — lets users interact with a computer using graphical elements like icons, windows, and a mouse instead of text commands.

20. What is open-source software? Give an example.

    Software whose source code is freely available to view, modify, and distribute — e.g., Linux, Mozilla Firefox, LibreOffice.

21. What is the Internet?

    A global network of interconnected computer networks that communicate using standard protocols (TCP/IP) to share information and resources.

22. What does WWW stand for and how does it differ from the Internet?

    World Wide Web — a system of interlinked hypertext documents (web pages) accessed via the Internet; the Internet is the underlying network infrastructure, the WWW is a service running on it.

23. What does HTTP stand for, and what is HTTPS?

    HTTP = HyperText Transfer Protocol, used to transfer web pages; HTTPS is its secure version using SSL/TLS encryption.

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