Computer & Technology Basics

Generations of computers

Generation	Period	Key Technology
1st	1940–1956	Vacuum tubes
2nd	1956–1963	Transistors
3rd	1964–1971	Integrated Circuits (IC)
4th	1971–present	Microprocessors / VLSI
5th	Present–future	Artificial Intelligence, parallel processing

Memory hierarchy

Memory	Type / Notes
Register	Inside CPU; fastest
Cache (L1/L2/L3)	SRAM; very fast
Main memory (RAM)	Volatile; DRAM
ROM / Firmware	Non-volatile; stores BIOS
Secondary (HDD/SSD)	Non-volatile; persistent storage
Tertiary (tape, optical)	Backup; slowest

Common abbreviations

Abbreviation	Full Form
CPU	Central Processing Unit
RAM	Random Access Memory
ROM	Read-Only Memory
HDD	Hard Disk Drive
SSD	Solid State Drive
GPU	Graphics Processing Unit
OS	Operating System
GUI	Graphical User Interface
URL	Uniform Resource Locator
HTTP	Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
HTTPS	HTTP Secure
FTP	File Transfer Protocol
TCP/IP	Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
DNS	Domain Name System
VPN	Virtual Private Network
LAN/WAN/MAN	Local / Wide / Metropolitan Area Network
ISP	Internet Service Provider
SQL	Structured Query Language
API	Application Programming Interface
AI / ML	Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
IoT	Internet of Things
UPI	Unified Payments Interface

MS Office shortcut keys

Ctrl + N — New document
Ctrl + S — Save
Ctrl + P — Print
Ctrl + C / X / V — Copy / Cut / Paste
Ctrl + Z / Y — Undo / Redo
Ctrl + B / I / U — Bold / Italic / Underline
Ctrl + F — Find
Ctrl + H — Replace (Word/Excel)
F1 — Help; F7 — Spell check; F12 — Save As
Alt + F4 — Close active window

Quick Revision Facts

First-generation computers used vacuum tubes; ENIAC (1945) was a key example.
RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile.
1 byte = 8 bits; 1 KB = 1024 bytes; 1 MB = 1024 KB.
The 'father of computers' is Charles Babbage (Analytical Engine).
Ada Lovelace is regarded as the first computer programmer.
Linux is an open-source operating system; the kernel was created by Linus Torvalds (1991).
HTTP uses port 80; HTTPS uses port 443.
UPI was launched by NPCI in 2016 and is regulated by RBI.

Quick Quiz — Computer Awareness

5 random questions from our bank. Refresh or retake for a new set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is known as the father of computers?

Charles Babbage — for designing the Analytical Engine.

What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

RAM is volatile (loses data when power is off) and is used for active programs. ROM is non-volatile and stores firmware like the BIOS.

Which generation of computers used Integrated Circuits (ICs)?

The third generation (1964–1971).

What does UPI stand for?

Unified Payments Interface — an instant real-time payment system developed by NPCI.

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Attempt our daily quiz and full-length mock exams to convert revision into ranks.

Daily Quiz Mock Exams

Generations of computers

Generation	Period	Key Technology
1st	1940–1956	Vacuum tubes
2nd	1956–1963	Transistors
3rd	1964–1971	Integrated Circuits (IC)
4th	1971–present	Microprocessors / VLSI
5th	Present–future	Artificial Intelligence, parallel processing

Memory hierarchy

Memory	Type / Notes
Register	Inside CPU; fastest
Cache (L1/L2/L3)	SRAM; very fast
Main memory (RAM)	Volatile; DRAM
ROM / Firmware	Non-volatile; stores BIOS
Secondary (HDD/SSD)	Non-volatile; persistent storage
Tertiary (tape, optical)	Backup; slowest

Common abbreviations

Abbreviation	Full Form
CPU	Central Processing Unit
RAM	Random Access Memory
ROM	Read-Only Memory
HDD	Hard Disk Drive
SSD	Solid State Drive
GPU	Graphics Processing Unit
OS	Operating System
GUI	Graphical User Interface
URL	Uniform Resource Locator
HTTP	Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
HTTPS	HTTP Secure
FTP	File Transfer Protocol
TCP/IP	Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
DNS	Domain Name System
VPN	Virtual Private Network
LAN/WAN/MAN	Local / Wide / Metropolitan Area Network
ISP	Internet Service Provider
SQL	Structured Query Language
API	Application Programming Interface
AI / ML	Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
IoT	Internet of Things
UPI	Unified Payments Interface

MS Office shortcut keys

Ctrl + N — New document
Ctrl + S — Save
Ctrl + P — Print
Ctrl + C / X / V — Copy / Cut / Paste
Ctrl + Z / Y — Undo / Redo
Ctrl + B / I / U — Bold / Italic / Underline
Ctrl + F — Find
Ctrl + H — Replace (Word/Excel)
F1 — Help; F7 — Spell check; F12 — Save As
Alt + F4 — Close active window

Quick Revision Facts

First-generation computers used vacuum tubes; ENIAC (1945) was a key example.
RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile.
1 byte = 8 bits; 1 KB = 1024 bytes; 1 MB = 1024 KB.
The 'father of computers' is Charles Babbage (Analytical Engine).
Ada Lovelace is regarded as the first computer programmer.
Linux is an open-source operating system; the kernel was created by Linus Torvalds (1991).
HTTP uses port 80; HTTPS uses port 443.
UPI was launched by NPCI in 2016 and is regulated by RBI.

Quick Quiz — Computer Awareness

5 random questions from our bank. Refresh or retake for a new set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is known as the father of computers?

Charles Babbage — for designing the Analytical Engine.

What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

RAM is volatile (loses data when power is off) and is used for active programs. ROM is non-volatile and stores firmware like the BIOS.

Which generation of computers used Integrated Circuits (ICs)?

The third generation (1964–1971).

What does UPI stand for?

Unified Payments Interface — an instant real-time payment system developed by NPCI.

Want more practice?

Attempt our daily quiz and full-length mock exams to convert revision into ranks.

Daily Quiz Mock Exams

Generations of computers

Memory hierarchy

Common abbreviations

MS Office shortcut keys

Quick Revision Facts

Quick Quiz — Computer Awareness

Frequently Asked Questions

Want more practice?

More Static GK Topics

Computer & Technology Basics

Generations of computers

Memory hierarchy

Common abbreviations

MS Office shortcut keys

Quick Revision Facts

Quick Quiz — Computer Awareness

Frequently Asked Questions

Want more practice?

More Static GK Topics