Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials (D386)

Correct Answer

c. Tablet

Explanation

Tablets are specifically designed with touchscreen interfaces and typically support detachable keyboards for versatility and portability. The detachable keyboard allows tablets to switch easily between a portable handheld device and a productivity-oriented workstation. This design makes tablets uniquely flexible compared to other computing devices.

Why other options are wrong

a. Desktop

Desktop computers are stationary devices with separate keyboards, monitors, and system units, typically without detachable keyboards or touchscreen interfaces. They are not designed for portability or touchscreen interaction. Therefore, desktops do not match the characteristics described.

b. Laptop

Laptops typically feature permanently attached keyboards with hinges and screens. Although some modern laptops may have touchscreen capabilities, they rarely have detachable keyboards, making them distinct from tablets. Hence, laptops do not align closely with the described characteristics.

d. Smartphone

Smartphones primarily have touchscreen interfaces but rarely feature detachable keyboards due to their compact, integrated designs. They focus more on handheld mobility rather than the productivity enhancement provided by detachable keyboards. Thus, smartphones do not match the stated characteristics.

Correct Answer

a. It allows integration of new technologies without significant changes.

Explanation

Flexibility in software development allows easy integration and adoption of new technologies or tools without requiring major restructuring. It provides adaptability to evolving project requirements, emerging trends, or changing business needs. As a result, the company can innovate and respond efficiently without significant disruptions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

b. It ensures projects always meet initial deadlines.

Flexibility doesn't guarantee meeting deadlines—it merely supports adaptability, not absolute adherence to timelines. Project deadlines depend on management and process discipline, not just flexibility.

c. It guarantees familiarity among team members.

Flexibility doesn't inherently guarantee familiarity across all team members; new technologies might still require learning. Flexibility accommodates rather than ensures familiarity among all staff.

d. It reduces the need for documentation and training.

Even flexible development environments still require appropriate documentation and training. Flexibility doesn't inherently remove the need for team education and proper documentation.

Correct Answer

C. Lower rotational speeds reduce energy usage but may decrease performance.

Explanation

Lower rotational speeds consume less power, saving energy but may result in decreased performance due to slower data read/write speeds. Performance in traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) depends heavily on rotational speed; lower speeds result in longer access times and reduced performance. Therefore, a lower rotational speed means greater energy efficiency but slower performance.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

A. Lower rotational speeds increase performance and decrease energy usage.

Lower rotational speeds typically reduce performance because they lead to slower data transfer rates and higher latency. Thus, claiming increased performance at lower speeds is incorrect.

B. Higher rotational speeds decrease performance and increase energy usage.

Higher rotational speeds actually enhance performance by enabling faster data access and throughput. Although energy usage increases, the assertion that performance decreases is incorrect.

D. Higher rotational speeds reduce energy usage and improve performance.

Higher rotational speeds generally increase performance but also increase energy usage, not reduce it. Hence, stating that higher speeds reduce energy consumption is incorrect.

Correct Answer

d. Virtual memory

Explanation

The paging file is commonly known as virtual memory, a space on the hard drive allocated to temporarily store data that exceeds the available physical RAM. This helps systems run more programs simultaneously by expanding the memory capacity virtually. The paging file thus serves as virtual memory, supplementing physical memory.

Why other options are wrong

a. Upper memory

Upper memory refers to the memory space between 640KB and 1MB in older computer systems and is unrelated to modern paging files. It specifically refers to historical memory management concepts and not to the paging file. Hence, upper memory is incorrect.

b. Random access memory

Random access memory (RAM) is physical memory directly used by the CPU for quick data access. Unlike virtual memory, RAM is not stored on the disk but is actual hardware memory. Therefore, it doesn't correctly describe a paging file.

c. Extended memory

Extended memory refers historically to memory above 1MB in DOS-based systems, distinct from virtual memory. It is physical RAM, not virtual storage on disk, and thus doesn't describe the paging file accurately.

Correct Answer

D. Small touch screens

Explanation

Operating systems for mobile devices are specifically designed to facilitate user interaction through small touch screens. Interfaces and controls are optimized to accommodate limited screen size and touch-based input methods. Thus, small touch screens correctly represent the primary interaction method for mobile operating systems.

Why other options are wrong

A. The ability to change between cell towers

Switching between cell towers is handled by hardware components and cellular protocols rather than the mobile OS itself. While the OS manages connectivity, direct user interaction isn't designed around cell tower management. Thus, this is not the primary focus for mobile OS interactions.

B. Side mounted volume controls

Side-mounted volume controls are hardware buttons that provide basic input and aren't specifically indicative of mobile OS interaction design. They represent physical control mechanisms separate from the OS’s touch-centric interface. Therefore, they do not accurately define OS interactions.

C. Virtual keyboards

Virtual keyboards are a part of the OS's interface but represent only one feature within the broader design for small touch screens. They're important but not the defining feature that influences overall OS interaction design. Hence, they aren't the best choice compared to small touch screens.

Correct Answer

b. systems

Explanation

Operating Systems are classified as system software, managing and controlling hardware resources and enabling user interaction with computer hardware. System software serves as the foundational software layer necessary to support application software. Thus, operating systems fall under system software, as they coordinate hardware functions and provide a platform for applications to operate.

Why other options are wrong

a. applications

Application software directly provides functionality or specific tasks to end-users (e.g., word processors, games). Operating systems, in contrast, manage hardware resources rather than providing direct user-oriented functionality. Thus, operating systems are not classified as application software.

c. utility

Utility software is designed for specific maintenance or enhancement tasks like antivirus scanning or disk management. While operating systems may contain utilities, they themselves encompass much broader responsibilities beyond isolated maintenance tasks. Hence, utility software is too narrow to categorize operating systems accurately.

d. cloud

Cloud software refers to applications or services provided remotely over the internet. Operating systems typically reside locally on devices and manage internal hardware resources rather than cloud services exclusively. Therefore, operating systems are not classified as cloud software.

Correct Answer

b. Multitasking

Explanation

A multitasking operating system enables multiple applications or programs to execute concurrently without interfering with each other. It efficiently manages resources and processor time to ensure smooth and stable simultaneous operation. This feature is essential for productivity, enabling users to interact with several applications seamlessly at once.

Why other options are wrong

a. Multi-user

A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to access a system simultaneously, managing user permissions and resources. While multiple users may use applications at once, the term multi-user specifically highlights user access rather than concurrent application execution. Thus, it doesn't precisely describe the concurrent execution capability.

c. Multiprocessing

Multiprocessing refers specifically to an OS's capability to support multiple processors or CPU cores, allowing tasks to execute simultaneously across multiple hardware components. This focuses on hardware-based parallel processing rather than software-based concurrent application execution. Therefore, multiprocessing does not directly describe multitasking.

d. Real-time

A real-time operating system is designed to handle tasks that require immediate or very rapid processing within a strict time constraint. While real-time OSes ensure quick response, they are not explicitly characterized by enabling the concurrent execution of general-purpose applications. Hence, real-time OSes don't exactly represent multitasking.

Correct Answer

b. It supports encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

Explanation

C++ is considered an object-oriented programming (OOP) language because it incorporates the core OOP concepts: encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Encapsulation allows data and functions to be grouped into objects, inheritance enables the creation of new classes based on existing ones, and polymorphism provides the ability to process objects differently based on their data types. These features allow developers to build reusable, maintainable, and efficient code.

Why other options are wrong

a. It uses a procedural approach and lacks encapsulation.

This statement incorrectly suggests C++ lacks encapsulation, a core OOP feature. While C++ does support procedural programming, it notably supports encapsulation, making this statement incorrect. Thus, it mischaracterizes C++’s capabilities.

c. It is primarily used for database management.

C++ is a general-purpose programming language not specifically or primarily for database management. Languages like SQL are specialized for databases, not C++. Thus, this option doesn't accurately describe C++'s classification as an OOP language.

d. It is a markup language for web development.

C++ is a programming language, not a markup language like HTML. Markup languages focus on data presentation rather than logic and operations, so this clearly misidentifies C++. Hence, it is incorrect.

Correct Answer

c. Wide Area Network (WAN) because it connects devices across large geographical distances

Explanation

A Wide Area Network (WAN) allows organizations to connect computers, offices, and resources located in geographically distant locations. WAN technologies, such as leased lines or VPNs, are specifically designed to facilitate communication and data sharing between cities or even countries. Thus, WAN is the ideal solution for organizations expanding across multiple distant cities.

Why other options are wrong

a. Local Area Network (LAN) because it is designed for small, localized areas

LANs are limited in scope to small geographic areas such as a single building or campus. They lack the capability of connecting locations over large distances, making them unsuitable for connecting geographically dispersed offices. Thus, a LAN would be inadequate for this scenario.

b. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) because it connects multiple buildings within a city

MANs connect multiple facilities within a single city or metropolitan area but do not typically extend beyond city boundaries. This limits their use for intercity connections. Hence, a MAN would not satisfy the requirement of intercity connectivity.

d. Personal Area Network (PAN) because it connects personal devices

PANs are intended for short-range communication between personal devices such as smartphones and wearables, typically via Bluetooth. They cannot effectively connect multiple offices across different cities. Thus, PANs do not fulfill this requirement.