Computer Science Exam-38504

What is the main advantage of using a CPU in 64-bit mode? *

64-bit software is more reliable and a bit faster than 32-bit software. It also supports more system memory.

What is a Command Line Interface (CLI)? *

A Command Line Interface allows the user to interact with the OS using typed commands or scripts rather than a GUI.

What type of programming concept allows for a variable size container? *

A vector

What systems use a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and memory? *

All types of computers

What is a typical speed for a mid-range CPU to run at? *

Around 2 GHz; budget models might run as low as 1 GHz, while faster ones run at 3 or 4 GHz.

What three scripting options are commonly used in Windows 10 to perform administrative tasks? *

Batch files, Windows PowerShell scripts, and VBScripts

What key combination can you use to force the browser to ignore any locally cached files when refreshing a page? *

Ctrl+F5

An INSERT statement is an example of what data language type? *

Data Manipulation Language

What are the structural elements of a database? *

Each table stores information about records in fields.

Which notation system supports presenting the largest numbers using the fewest digits? *

Hexadecimal

Which of the following best represents the way data moves through a computer system? *

Input, processing, output, and storage.

What part of the process of data analytics is most closely supported by meaningful reporting? *

Insights

Why would Windows prompt you to enter a password if you try to install a software application? *

Installing an application requires administrator privileges and is an action protected by User Account Control

Which data type provides for whole numbers only? *

Integer

What function of an operating system is performed by the "shell"?

Interface between the user and the computer.

Give two examples of semi-structured data stores. *

Key/value pair databases and markup language document stores.

What type(s) of IoT appliance are less likely to be controlled via a home automation hub? *

Modern cars and medical devices are unlikely to interface via a hub.

What is the difference between freeware and open-source software? *

Open source means that the programming code used to design the software is publicly available.

You have to open a file located on a network server. What should be your first step?

Open the Network object from Explorer and locate the server hosting the file.

What are constants and variables examples of? *

Programming identifiers

What shows the structure of code without using the specific syntax of any one language? *

Pseudocode

What term is used to describe selecting and viewing information in a database? *

Query

Which of the following is NOT an example of unstructured data? *

Relational databases

What type of software would you use to configure a server by connecting to it over the network? *

Remote desktop

What is the advantage of a local network hosted application, in terms of data storage? *

.If data is stored on the server and not on the local workstation, it is easier to apply access controls and to back it up.

What is the decimal number 75 in binary and hexadecimal? *

0100 1011 in binary and 4B in hex

Convert 01101000 to a decimal number.

104

Convert 231 to a binary number. *

11100111

You want to check whether a condition has been met, and if it has, perform one action. Otherwise, you want your program to perform a second action. What sort of programming operation would help achieve this? *

A conditional branch

What type of file in an OS are the main means of providing coordination of hardware components? *

A device driver

What type of component provides a passive cooling solution? *

A heatsink

In a program, what does a loop do? *

A loop performs one or more instructions until a condition is met.

How does a markup language differ from a compiled language? *

A markup language is not a programming language, rather it is a way of using nested tags within a document to describe its structure and contents.

What is the difference between a procedure and a function? *

A procedure does something, while a function does something and then returns a value to the main program.

If you do not have a support contract, what is likely to be the best option for obtaining advice about a problem with an application? *

A product support or community forum

What type of computer is best suited for use in a job where you have to make notes and be able to move around easily? *

A tablet or smartphone or possibly a hybrid laptop/tablet.

What provides sound functionality on a personal computer? *

Sound functions are often provided by the motherboard chipset.

What language is usually used to request data from an RDBMS such as Oracle? *

Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to query RDBMS-based database platforms.

Which data representation format can encode the widest range of characters? *

Unicode

What is the technical term for a web address?

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

What protection feature in Windows is designed to prevent a script or software from making unauthorized changes to the OS configuration? *

User Account Control (UAC)

In order to obtain support on a currently installed application, the software vendor wants to know the application's product ID. How would you locate this information? *

Usually via the Help > About menu.

Which best describes an Information Technology (IT) system? *

When a system processes, stores, and transfers information.

You have to sign in to Windows - does it matter if the CAPS LOCK light on the keyboard is activated? *

Windows passwords are case sensitive, so the CAPS LOCK may prevent successful login.

What type of computing device(s) is macOS designed for installation on? *

Workstations and laptops

You have just bought a new computer but want to use the older version of Windows that came with your previous computer. Windows was provided as an OEM license. Can you use this license key to install the software on your new PC? *

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) licenses can only be used on the brand and model it was initially installed on.

You want to purchase a computer with a fast graphics interface. What type of expansion slot should you look for? *

PCIe x16—this is a type of PCI Express slot that uses 16 'lanes'. Each lane can transfer 250 MBps (or 500 MBps for PCIe 2 and 1 GBps for v3).

Your colleague has to run many applications at the same time and finds it difficult to know which icon to choose when switching between them. What alternative method could you suggest? *

Press Alt+Tab - this shows previews of the window and allows the user to quickly switch between windows.

You need a development environment with a library of database functions. What type of interface are you using? *

Programmatic access

What type of software manages tasks, dependencies, and timelines? *

Project management software

What three things define an object? *

Properties, attributes, and methods

Why might one of your first tasks on receiving a new computer be to remove software applications? *

The computer may be bundled with pre-installed software that you do not want.

What two things are configured on a disk to make storage space on the disk available to the Windows OS? *

The disk must contain at least one partition, typically allocated a drive letter, and the partition must be formatted with a suitable file system.

What computer component is most restrictive in terms of determining upgrade potential for a desktop computer? *

The motherboard

Which is a true statement regarding whether or not laptops make good servers? *

There is no room for expansion, and you are paying for components and a design that isn't practical.

What term is used to describe terminating a process that is not responding to user input? *

This is often called "killing" the process.

Why is a smartphone NOT a good tool for writing a report?

Touchscreen or mini keyboards are not optimized for writing lots of text.

Following the installation of an application, another program on your computer has stopped working. What could you do to try to fix it? *

Try using the Repair option in Programs and Features (if available) or re-installing the program.

You are looking for content on a topic, but your search is returning millions of matches that are not particularly helpful. Which option includes two methods that you could use to get better search results? *

Use more search keywords (ideally with 'uncommon' words), or search for an exact phrase by enclosing it in quotes.

Which method does a technician use to configure and improve a system's memory usage? *

Use of virtual memory or a pagefile, where disk space is used to supplement system RAM.

Windows comes with web server software, but it is not installed by default. How would you install this software? *

Use the Turn Windows features on or off dialog from Programs and Features.

Following the installation of a program written for an older version of Windows, you receive an alert that it might not have installed correctly. What feature could you use to make the program run correctly? *

Use the program's Compatibility tab to use settings for the older Windows version.

What factors should you consider when positioning input and output devices? *

Ensure that they can be used without exerting strain, especially on the arms / wrists and back / neck.

What should you do before attempting to set up a new computer system? *

Verify that the environment is suitable and that the installation will be safe.

What is the best way to install a web application on your computer? *

You do not install a web application on your computer. You access it through your browser.

When setting up a desktop computer, what factor should you consider when deciding on the location of the system case? *

You need to consider the position of power outlet(s) and peripheral devices as well as air flow around the system unit.

Why might you use the Services snap-in to manage background processes rather than Task Manager? *

Task Manager allows you to start and stop services but the Services snap-in also allows you to configure service properties.

What compatibility information should you confirm before installing a software application? *

That it works with the version of the operating system that you have, and that your computer meets the system (hardware) requirements.

What type of component provides persistent storage? *

The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD)

What three elements are required for a computer to perform useful tasks?

The hardware, software, and the computer's user.

What crucial piece of information would you need when trying to locate support information about a computer system on the manufacturer's website? *

The model number or a service code.

You have asked a senior manager to authorize your plan of action for resolving a fault in a software application. What name is given to the process you are following? *

Escalating the problem

What type of computer is most likely to need peripheral devices?

Desktop

You are advising a colleague about best practices when troubleshooting. You have identified the following techniques to use to identify a problem: gather information, duplicate the problem, question users, identify symptoms, and approach multiple problems individually. If you are following CompTIA's troubleshooting model, what other pieces of advice should you give? *

Determine if anything has changed

What data protection technology could you implement in order to restrict the type of activity that a user could employ on digital products that they have purchased or rented? *

Digital Rights Management

How is a relationship identified between two tables in an RDBMS? *

Each table contains a primary key whose value is unique for each record in the table. A foreign table can use the value of a primary key as a relation, storing the value in a foreign key field.

Which best defines ergonomics? *

Ergonomics is the study of factors affecting the performance of people at work.

How does Microsoft SQL Server differ from Microsoft Excel when used to store a dataset? *

Excel is an example of a flat file system, whereas SQL Server is relational database software that is better suited for larger volumes of information and more users.

How would you access the system setup program on a PC? *

Historically, by pressing the appropriate key during startup (ESC, DEL, F1, F2, or F10). Modern PCs often use fast boot modes that require some other means of booting to the firmware setup program.

What is an interpreted programming language? *

Interpreted languages do not need to be compiled because the code gets converted to machine code at runtime.

You are setting up a new computer, but it doesn't seem to be working. Should you check anything or contact the manufacturer? *

It would be best to double-check you have connected the cables correctly.

Which of these statements is FALSE regarding the Windows 10 versions available? *

Windows 10 Enterprise is similar to the Pro edition but designed for licensing by small businesses.

Your computer locks up (freezes) periodically and feels hot to the touch. Could these things be related? *

Yes, many lockup problems are caused by overheating.

You want to find something on a particular website, but the site does not have a search tool. Could you use a general search engine (and if so, how)? *

Yes—you use an advanced search form and provide a URL such as comptia.org.

How can a client-server application architecture be described if it could be re-developed to split the application and presentation layers? *

This could be described as a two-tier application capable of becoming a tier-three application.

The Task Scheduler allows you to run a process automatically in Windows. What is a widely-used Linux equivalent? *

Cron

In general, what is the difference between the char and string data types? *

Char stores a single textual character in a fixed length field (typically 1 byte). A string is a variable length field for storing a sequence of characters.

What is an example of open-source operating systems? *

Linux, Chromium, or Android

You have to open a word processing application, but you cannot see an icon on the desktop. What should you do? *

Look for the shortcut in Start Menu or Start Screen.

What is TRUE about legal protection for a novel software algorithm? *

Patent provides the best protection as it can enforce ownership even if someone tries to write the algorithm in a slightly different way.

Which of these statements is true regarding a standard user and their password? *

Standard users can change their own password but cannot change anyone else's password.

Your colleague is using a laptop and you notice that he laboriously clicks the external mouse repeatedly to scroll through the document you are co-editing. Which feature could he use to be more productive? *

The mouse scroll-wheel on the external mouse to maneuver the scroll bar

What is the registry and how does it distinguish Windows and Linux?

The registry is a database of configuration settings supporting the Windows OS. Linux uses individual text files to store settings.