Software MCQs – Set-1 | 50 questions on software types, operating-system components, development tools, licensing, maintenance, and application delivery.
Mixed difficulty · Select one answer and open each explanation to review the concept.
Which software category manages core computer resources?
A Application software
B Game software
C System software
D Design software
Answer: C. System software. System software provides core functions such as operating-system services and hardware management.
What does application software help users do?
A Complete specific tasks
B Supply electrical power
C Connect memory modules
D Cool a processor
Answer: A. Complete specific tasks. Application software helps users carry out tasks such as writing, editing, or managing data.
How does a device driver help a computer?
A It stores user documents
B Lets OS communicate with hardware
C It replaces system memory
D It displays web pages
Answer: B. Lets OS communicate with hardware. A driver is software that enables communication between an operating system and a device.
What is firmware generally designed to control?
A User-created spreadsheets
B Printed output
C Network accounts
D A device’s low-level operation
Answer: D. A device’s low-level operation. Firmware provides low-level software control for a hardware device.
Which tool helps programmers create and maintain code?
A Programming software
B A power supply
C A display panel
D A storage cable
Answer: A. Programming software. Programming software includes tools such as editors, compilers, and debuggers.
What is one common purpose of utility software?
A Render 3D graphics
B Maintain or manage a system
C Provide electrical power
D Connect a monitor
Answer: B. Maintain or manage a system. Utilities perform supporting tasks such as disk management, backup, or system maintenance.
What do developers usually write as source code?
A Binary voltages
B Printed characters
C Human-readable instructions
D Machine heat patterns
Answer: C. Human-readable instructions. Source code is written in a programming language that people can read and edit.
Which form can a processor execute directly?
A A user manual
B A source comment
C A flowchart
D Machine instructions
Answer: D. Machine instructions. A processor executes machine instructions represented in a form its architecture supports.
What does a compiler commonly produce from source code?
A A translated program form
B A network cable
C A screen image
D A file backup
Answer: A. A translated program form. A compiler translates source code into another program representation, such as object or machine code.
Which software tool commonly runs source instructions through a runtime?
A Linker
B Interpreter
C Disk utility
D Device driver
Answer: B. Interpreter. An interpreter executes a program through a runtime rather than requiring a separate ahead-of-time native executable in every case.
What does an integrated development environment combine?
A Power and cooling
B Storage and networking
C Code editing and developer tools
D Printing and scanning
Answer: C. Code editing and developer tools. An IDE combines code editing with tools such as build, run, and debugging features.
Why use a debugger while developing software?
A To compress images
B To add memory modules
C To route network traffic
D To inspect and diagnose code
Answer: D. To inspect and diagnose code. A debugger helps developers examine program execution and locate errors.
What does version control record over time?
A Changes to files
B CPU temperature
C Screen brightness
D Electrical current
Answer: A. Changes to files. Version control records file changes so earlier versions can be reviewed or recovered.
What is a software repository used to keep?
A Display settings only
B Project files and history
C Processor instructions only
D Power supply details
Answer: B. Project files and history. A repository holds project files and version history managed by a version-control system.
What does a version-control commit represent?
A A device connection
B A program crash
C A recorded change set
D A software license
Answer: C. A recorded change set. A commit records a set of changes in a repository’s history.
Why create a branch in version control?
A Erase earlier history
B Install an operating system
C Measure application speed
D Develop changes separately
Answer: D. Develop changes separately. A branch allows work to proceed along a separate line before changes are integrated.
What does merging software branches do?
A Integrates changes from branches
B Deletes all project files
C Translates code to speech
D Formats a storage drive
Answer: A. Integrates changes from branches. Merging integrates changes made on separate branches.
What does an operating-system kernel manage at its core?
A Document formatting
B Essential system resources
C Web page colors
D Printer ink levels
Answer: B. Essential system resources. The kernel is the central OS component that manages critical system resources and hardware interactions.
Which program provides a command interface to system services?
A Photo editor
B Compiler
C Shell
D Spreadsheet
Answer: C. Shell. A shell provides an interface for users or scripts to request operating-system services.
What is a process in a running computer system?
A A saved file format
B A type of memory chip
C A hardware connector
D A running program instance
Answer: D. A running program instance. A process is an instance of a program that is executing.
What is a thread in a process?
A A sequence of execution
B A network cable
C A display pixel
D A storage partition
Answer: A. A sequence of execution. A thread is an execution path within a process; a process may contain multiple threads.
How does an operating system support multitasking?
A By duplicating every file
B By scheduling work among tasks
C By increasing monitor size
D By replacing application code
Answer: B. By scheduling work among tasks. An operating system schedules processor time and other resources among active tasks.
What is a software patch commonly intended to do?
A Add a new computer port
B Change a monitor panel
C Fix a defect or vulnerability
D Increase battery size
Answer: C. Fix a defect or vulnerability. A patch applies a targeted change, often to fix a defect or security issue.
How can a software update differ from a small patch?
A It changes the hardware case
B It removes the operating system
C It disables file storage
D It may add broader changes
Answer: D. It may add broader changes. An update can include a broader set of fixes, improvements, or features than a narrowly targeted patch.
What is a software bug?
A A defect causing incorrect behavior
B A type of memory module
C A user license
D A network adapter
Answer: A. A defect causing incorrect behavior. A bug is a defect that can cause software to behave incorrectly or unexpectedly.
What does regression testing check after a code change?
A Whether the screen is larger
B Whether existing features still work
C Whether a cable fits
D Whether a CPU is installed
Answer: B. Whether existing features still work. Regression tests check that changes have not broken previously working behavior.
Which document sets conditions for using software?
A Project schedule
B User interface
C Software license
D Hardware receipt
Answer: C. Software license. A software license states terms and permissions for using or distributing software.
In GNU’s definition, what does free software emphasize?
A No purchase price
B Unlimited storage
C Use, study, change, share
D Automatic installation
Answer: C. Use, study, change, share. The GNU definition centers on users’ freedoms; price alone does not determine whether software is free.
What is an important feature of open-source software?
A Publisher controls source access
B It requires paid access
C It cannot be modified
D Source available under license terms
Answer: D. Source available under license terms. Open-source software makes source code available under a license that sets conditions for use and modification.
Which description best fits proprietary software?
A Owner sets usage restrictions
B Every user can alter it
C Must be free
D Its source must be public
Answer: A. Owner sets usage restrictions. Proprietary software is controlled by its owner and may restrict access, modification, or redistribution.
Can software that respects free-software freedoms be sold?
A Never, under any license
B Yes, commercial use is allowed
C Only after source deletion
D Only by governments
Answer: B. Yes, commercial use is allowed. The GNU definition allows selling and commercial distribution while preserving user freedoms.
What is embedded software built to do?
A Edit long documents
B Coordinate unrelated websites
C Control a dedicated device
D Replace all hardware
Answer: C. Control a dedicated device. Embedded software controls or supports devices designed for particular functions.
What does Software as a Service (SaaS) usually mean?
A A device sold with cables
B Stored only on disk
C A one-time firmware update
D Software hosted for online access
Answer: D. Software hosted for online access. SaaS is software hosted by a provider and accessed by users over a network.
What does an API define for software components?
A Software interaction rules
B A display’s pixel count
C A processor’s voltage
D A folder naming rule
Answer: A. Software interaction rules. An API specifies how software components can request or exchange functions and data.
Why include a software library in a project?
A To cool the motherboard
B To reuse existing code
C To display electrical current
D To replace the operating system
Answer: B. To reuse existing code. A library provides reusable code that an application can call.
What does a package manager help users do?
A Measure network signal
B Edit processor firmware
C Install and manage software packages
D Print code listings
Answer: C. Install and manage software packages. Package managers install, update, remove, and track software packages and dependencies.
What is a software dependency?
A A screen setting
B A user password
C A hardware warranty
D Another component the program needs
Answer: D. Another component the program needs. A dependency is software or a component that a program relies on to operate.
Why create a backup of software data?
A Restore information after loss
B Increase monitor refresh
C Add processor cores
D Change file extensions
Answer: A. Restore information after loss. Backups preserve copies that can help restore data after deletion, failure, or loss.
What does a file format specify?
A A program’s purchase price
B Data structure and encoding
C A network’s physical range
D A processor’s clock rate
Answer: B. Data structure and encoding. A file format defines how information is structured and encoded within a file.
What can a plug-in add to an application?
A Extra power rails
B A separate operating system
C An optional feature
D A new CPU socket
Answer: C. An optional feature. A plug-in extends an application’s capabilities with an optional component.
What does software compatibility describe?
A How bright its interface appears
B Source code size
C How quickly it was written
D Works with target systems
Answer: D. Works with target systems. Compatibility describes whether software can work with a particular operating system, device, or related software.
What does cross-platform software aim to support?
A More than one operating system
B Only one keyboard layout
C A single storage format
D One screen resolution
Answer: A. More than one operating system. Cross-platform software is designed to run on multiple operating systems or platforms.
What does software localization adapt?
A Processor instructions
B Language and regional conventions
C Storage capacity
D Network hardware
Answer: B. Language and regional conventions. Localization adapts software for a language and regional conventions such as dates or number formats.
How do accessibility features help software users?
A They increase file size
B They prevent all errors
C They support different user needs
D They replace security updates
Answer: C. They support different user needs. Accessibility features make software more usable for people with different abilities and needs.
What happens during software installation?
A The computer is physically assembled
B The display is calibrated
C Files are permanently deleted
D Program files are set up
Answer: D. Program files are set up. Installation places and configures program files so software can run on a system.
What is software uninstallation meant to do?
A Remove an installed program
B Create a new user account
C Increase processing speed
D Back up the whole drive
Answer: A. Remove an installed program. Uninstallation removes a program and, depending on the process, its associated components.
Which program is mainly used to view websites?
A Compiler
B Web browser
C Sound driver
D File system
Answer: B. Web browser. A web browser retrieves and displays web pages and web applications.
Where does a typical web application run for its user?
A Inside the power supply
B Only in a printer
C In a web browser
D On a graphics card
Answer: C. In a web browser. A web application is accessed through a browser, although its services may also run on remote servers.
What is one purpose of continuous integration?
A Print code after each edit
B Increase monitor resolution
C Replace version control
D Automatically build and check changes
Answer: D. Automatically build and check changes. Continuous integration automates integrating and checking code changes, often with builds and tests.
Which software quality practice checks behavior against requirements?
A Software testing
B Disk defragmentation
C Voltage regulation
D Screen calibration
Answer: A. Software testing. Software testing checks whether a program behaves as expected under specified conditions.