Computer Knowledge: Finite Facts, Easy Marks
Computer Knowledge in the UIIC Assistant exam is a scoring section because the facts are finite: hardware, software, memory, networking, the internet, office applications, basic security and number systems. Learn the categories rather than isolated trivia.
Hardware and memory
Know the generation order: vacuum tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, microprocessors, then artificial intelligence. The memory hierarchy runs registers, cache, RAM, then secondary storage. RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile and holds firmware. 1 KB = 1024 bytes and 1 MB = 1024 KB. A byte is 8 bits.
Software and shortcuts
Revise operating-system functions and standard shortcuts: Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+V paste, Ctrl+X cut, Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+Y redo, Ctrl+S save, Ctrl+F find, Ctrl+P print, Alt+Tab switch windows, F2 rename, F5 refresh or slideshow. In Excel, =SUM(A1:A5) adds a range and the dollar sign fixes a reference.
Internet and networking
HTTP and HTTPS serve web pages, FTP transfers files, SMTP sends mail, and POP3 or IMAP receives it; TCP/IP is the core protocol suite. LAN, WAN and MAN differ by span. A modem converts digital signals to analog and back.
Security
Distinguish a virus, a worm (self-replicating, no host file needed), a trojan (disguised as useful software), phishing and a firewall. Encryption and digital signatures protect confidentiality and authenticity.
Worked example
Convert binary 1101 to decimal: 1x8 + 1x4 + 0x2 + 1x1 = 13. Going the other way, 25 = 16 + 8 + 1, so 25 in binary is 11001.
Traps
Calling ROM volatile; confusing SMTP with POP3 and IMAP; assuming 'Save As' and 'Save' do the same thing; and forgetting that storage units step by 1024, not 1000.