Unit -1 Introduction to Computers
2 Marks Questions:
1. What are the different generations of computers?
2. Define the term ‘Computer’ and explain its basic structure.
3. What is the role of a bus structure in a computer?
4. List any two characteristics of Super Computers.
5. Differentiate between hardware and software.
6. Explain the function of the Control Unit in a computer.
7. What are the key differences between Personal Computers (PC) and Mainframe
computers?
6 Marks Questions:
1. Explain the evolution of computers from the first generation to the fifth generation
with key advancements in each generation.
2. Discuss the classification of computers into Super Computer, Mainframe Computer,
Mini Computer, Workstation, and Personal Computer (PC) with examples for each.
3. Describe the functional units of a computer and explain the role of each unit in the
computer’s operation.
4. What is the difference between hardware and software? Provide examples of each.
5. What are the basic operational concepts of a computer? Explain the role of an
arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) in this context.
10 Marks Questions:
1. Describe the five generations of computers in detail. Discuss the key technological
advancements that marked the shift from one generation to the next, including
examples of computers from each generation.
2. Explain the structure of a computer in detail, focusing on the major components such
as the CPU, memory, input/output devices, and their interconnections. Also, describe
how data flows between these components.
3. Discuss the classification of computers based on size and capability (Super Computer,
Mainframe, Mini Computer, Workstation, and Personal Computer). How does each
type of computer serve different industries and purposes?
4. Explain the basic operational concepts and the importance of bus structures in a
computer system. What are the types of buses and how do they communicate between
different parts of the computer?
5. With the help of a diagram, explain the functional units of a computer and the steps
involved in the execution of an instruction from input to output.
Unit 2: Digital Logics
2 Marks Questions:
1. What is Boolean algebra?
2. What is a Karnaugh map, and how is it used in Boolean expression simplification?
3. What are the basic logic gates and their symbols?
4. What is the 1's complement of a binary number?
5. State De Morgan’s Theorem with an example.
6. Define the term 'Canonical form' in Boolean algebra.
7. Explain how to perform binary addition with an example.
6 Marks Questions:
1. Simplify the Boolean expression A+ABA + ABA+AB using Boolean algebra.
2. Draw the Karnaugh map for the Boolean expression A′B′C+ABC′+AB′C′A'B'C +
ABC' + AB'C'A′B′C+ABC′+AB′C′ and simplify it.
3. Discuss the properties of the AND and OR operations in Boolean algebra.
4. Explain the procedure to convert a Boolean expression into its canonical form (Sum
of Products).
5. What is the difference between a Sum of Products (SOP) and a Product of Sums
(POS) expression? Explain with examples.
6. Perform binary subtraction using 2’s complement with an example (subtract 1011
from 11000).
10 Marks Questions:
1. Discuss the steps involved in simplifying a Boolean expression using Karnaugh maps.
Illustrate your explanation with a detailed example.
2. Explain the process of converting a given Boolean expression into the canonical form
(both Sum of Products and Product of Sums). Then, implement the simplified
Boolean expression using logic gates.
3. Perform and explain binary multiplication using an example (e.g., multiply 101 by
110). Discuss how to handle carries in the process.
4. Using Boolean algebra, simplify the expression (A+B)(A′+C)(A + B)(A' + C)(A+B)
(A′+C) and verify the result using a truth table.
5. Discuss and demonstrate the implementation of logic circuits using basic gates (AND,
OR, NOT, NOR, NAND, XOR). Explain their use in building combinational logic
circuits.
6. Explain the process of converting a binary number into its 2’s complement form.
Also, explain how 2’s complement subtraction works with an example (subtract 1010
from 1101 using 2’s complement).
Unit 3: Combinational Circuits
2 Marks Questions:
1. What is a Half Adder? Write its symbol and truth table.
2. What is the difference between a Half Subtractor and a Full Subtractor?
3. Define a Multiplexer. What does a 4:1 multiplexer do?
4. What is the function of a decoder? Write the symbol and truth table for a 2:4 decoder.
5. What is a Priority Encoder? How does it differ from a simple encoder?
6. Explain the working of a Full Adder with a truth table.
7. What is the symbol for a 3:8 decoder?
6 Marks Questions:
1. Draw the logic circuit for a Full Adder using basic gates. Also, provide its truth table
and explain how it works.
2. Write and explain the truth table for a 4:2 encoder. What is its function, and how is it
implemented?
3. Explain the working of a Full Subtractor with a truth table. How does it differ from a
Half Subtractor?
4. Describe the symbol and logic circuit of a 3:8 decoder using AND gates. Provide its
truth table.
5. Draw the logic diagram of a 4:1 Multiplexer using basic gates and explain its
operation.
6. Explain the working of a 1:4 Demultiplexer with a truth table. Draw its logic circuit
using basic gates.
10 Marks Questions:
1. Discuss the working of a Half Adder and a Full Adder. Explain their symbols, truth
tables, and how they are implemented using basic and universal gates.
2. Explain the concept of an Encoder. Discuss the working, truth table, and logic circuit
for a 16:4 encoder. How is it different from a standard binary encoder?
3. Discuss the concept and working of a BCD to Decimal decoder. Draw its logic
diagram and explain how it operates.
4. Explain the operation of a BCD to 7-segment decoder. Discuss its truth table and
draw the logic circuit using AND, OR, and NOT gates.
5. Describe the operation of a 4:1 Multiplexer. Draw its symbol and logic circuit, and
explain how it works with its truth table.
6. Explain the working of a 1:4 Demultiplexer with its truth table. Draw the logic
diagram using basic gates and describe its application in digital circuits.
7. Compare and contrast the operation of a Full Adder and a Full Subtractor with respect
to their logic circuits, truth tables, and practical applications.
Unit 4: Sequential Circuits
2 Marks Questions:
1. What is a flip-flop?
2. Define a latch and how does it differ from a flip-flop?
3. Write the truth table for a basic RS flip-flop.
4. What is the function of a clocked RS flip-flop?
5. What is the purpose of a D flip-flop in digital circuits?
6. State the difference between a T flip-flop and a JK flip-flop.
7. What is a shift register?
6 Marks Questions:
1. Explain the working of an RS flip-flop with its block diagram, logic circuit, truth
table, and applications.
2. Draw and explain the block diagram of a Master-Slave JK flip-flop. Provide its truth
table and list its applications.
3. Explain the function and working of a D flip-flop with its logic circuit, truth table, and
possible applications.
4. Describe the different types of shift registers (SISO, PISO, SIPO, PIPO). Draw block
diagrams for each type, provide their truth tables, and explain their applications.
5. Explain the concept and working of a clocked RS flip-flop. Include its logic circuit,
truth table, and application in digital systems.
6. Discuss the properties and applications of shift registers. Compare SISO, PISO, SIPO,
and PIPO registers in terms of their operation and use cases.
10 Marks Questions:
1. Discuss the different types of flip-flops: RS, clocked RS, D, T, and JK. For each flip-
flop, explain its block diagram, logic circuit, truth table, and applications in digital
circuits.
2. Explain the working of a Master-Slave JK flip-flop with detailed logic diagrams and
truth tables. Also, discuss its advantages over a basic JK flip-flop.
3. Describe the operation of each type of shift register (SISO, PISO, SIPO, PIPO). For
each type, explain the block diagram, truth table, properties, and real-world
applications in digital circuits.
4. Explain the working of a D flip-flop in detail, along with its applications in sequential
circuits. Discuss how it can be used in constructing registers and counters.
5. Compare the characteristics and applications of the RS, D, T, and JK flip-flops in
digital electronics. Discuss how these flip-flops are used in memory storage, state
machines, and data synchronization.
6. Describe the operation of shift registers and explain their use in data storage and
manipulation. Draw and explain the block diagrams for SISO, PISO, SIPO, and PIPO
shift registers and discuss their specific applications in serial and parallel data
handling.
Unit 5: Computer Structure
2 Marks Questions:
1. What is the function of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in a computer system?
2. Define an instruction cycle.
3. What is a computer register? Give an example.
4. What is the purpose of an Input/Output unit in a computer system?
5. Explain the difference between RAM and ROM.
6. What is a stack organization in a CPU?
7. What are the basic addressing modes used in a computer?
8. Define Virtual Memory.
9. What is Cache Memory, and why is it important?
10. Differentiate between CISC and RISC architecture.
6 Marks Questions:
1. Explain the role of the CPU in executing computer instructions. Discuss the major
components of the CPU.
2. Describe the basic instruction formats used in computers. Provide examples of
different instruction types.
3. What is the significance of addressing modes in a computer system? Discuss the
various types of addressing modes with examples.
4. Explain the concept of the Instruction Cycle in detail. How do the fetch, decode, and
execute phases work together?
5. Describe the different types of ROM. How do they differ from each other in terms of
functionality and applications?
6. Explain the concept of Paging in Virtual Memory. How does it improve system
performance?
7. Discuss the characteristics and working of a stack organization in a computer system.
Provide examples.
8. What is RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)? Explain its types and the
advantages it offers for secondary storage.
10 Marks Questions:
1. Describe the function and organization of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in detail.
Discuss its major components, such as ALU, Control Unit, and registers, and explain
their roles in the execution of instructions.
2. Explain the Instruction Cycle in detail, including all phases such as fetch, decode, and
execute. Discuss the control signals involved in each phase and the role of timing and
control in coordinating the cycle.
3. Discuss the concept of instruction codes in computers. How do they relate to the
instruction set architecture (ISA)? Explain the difference between simple and complex
instruction sets.
4. Compare and contrast CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) and RISC (Reduced
Instruction Set Computer) architectures. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
each with examples of processors that use them.
5. Explain the memory hierarchy in a computer system. Describe the role of each
memory type (Registers, Cache, RAM, ROM, etc.), and explain how they impact the
system’s performance.
6. Discuss the concept of Virtual Memory. Explain how it is implemented using paging
and how it allows computers to execute larger programs than can fit in physical
memory.
7. Explain the organization and function of Cache Memory. How does it improve system
performance, and what are the various types of cache memory?
8. Discuss in detail the concept of Data Transfer and Manipulation in a CPU. How does
the CPU handle data transfer between registers, memory, and I/O devices?
9. Describe the role of secondary storage in a computer system. Discuss the various
types of secondary storage devices and their characteristics. Explain how RAID is
used to improve the reliability and performance of secondary storage.
