CompTIA ITF+ Practice Test (FC0-U61)

Upgrading the RAM (Random Access Memory) can improve a computer's performance, especially when running multiple programs simultaneously, because it increases the amount of information that can be held in fast-access memory. More RAM allows for more processes to be run smoothly without having to swap data to and from slower storage solutions, like hard drives or SSDs. The CPU wouldn't necessarily directly increase multitasking capabilities, and the GPU mainly enhances graphic processing. A cooling system improves heat dissipation but does not impact the amount of data that can be actively processed.

A solid state drive contains no moving parts and stores data on NAND flash memory, so it avoids the mechanical latency of spinning platters and moving read heads. This makes sequential and random read/write operations several times faster than even a high-RPM hard disk. Faster throughput and lower latency greatly benefit workloads such as video editing that move large files constantly. USB thumb drives and external mechanical disks are typically slower and can be limited by their external interfaces. Although a 7,200 RPM or 10,000 RPM HDD can offer high capacity at lower cost, it still cannot match SSD performance for speed-sensitive tasks.

Rule-based access control is used to restrict system access to authorized users based on a set of rules defined by the system or network administrator. If a user's request does not match the pre-established rules, access to the system or network is denied. The other options describe different security concepts: tracking user activity is known as accounting, authenticating users is the process of verifying their identity, and assigning permissions based on job function is characteristic of role-based access control (RBAC).

A Network Attached Storage (NAS) device is specifically designed to connect to a network to provide access to files across multiple users simultaneously without the need for a direct connection to a central computing resource like a workstation or dedicated server. A flash drive is for single-user, local storage; a file server would necessitate a dedicated system; and a modem is a device that facilitates internet connections without providing file storage services.

Without the -R (recursive) option, chmod applies mode changes only to the object(s) explicitly named on the command line. Therefore, chmod 755 /home/projects changes the permission bits on the /home/projects directory itself, but it leaves the permission bits of any existing files or sub-directories unchanged. To affect those items you would need to run chmod with the -R switch or issue separate chmod commands.

A Wide Area Network (WAN) spans a large geographic area, such as across cities, states, or even countries. The Internet is the largest and most well-known WAN, as it connects millions of smaller networks all around the world. In contrast, a Local Area Network (LAN) connects devices within a smaller, localized area, such as a home Wi-Fi network or a university's campus network. A router is a network device used to connect networks; it is not a network itself.

The correct answer is Petabyte. A petabyte (PB) is one of the largest units of digital data storage in common use. The units of measure, from smallest to largest among the options provided, are Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB), Terabyte (TB), and Petabyte (PB). In the binary measurement system, each successive unit is 1,024 times larger than the previous one. Therefore, a petabyte is significantly larger than a terabyte, gigabyte, or megabyte.

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are the best choice for allowing a developer to programmatically interact with a database from within a custom application. APIs provide a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications and are designed to facilitate the creation, reading, updating, and deletion of data. Direct access often involves manually entering data through a client or command-line interface, which is not automated. Import/export utilities are generally used for bulk data operations rather than interactive, application-driven access. SQL injection is a technique used by attackers to insert malicious SQL code into a database query and is not a legitimate method of database interaction.

The clock speed of a processor is measured in GHz (gigahertz) and represents how many cycles per second the processor can perform. A higher clock speed means the processor can perform more cycles each second, leading to faster processing of tasks. For tasks that involve heavy processing like image editing and 3D rendering, a higher clock speed would generally result in better performance, therefore a 3.2 GHz processor would be preferred over the 2.5 GHz one.

In flowcharts, the oval or ellipse is used as a terminal symbol indicating the start or end of a process. While the other shapes have different meanings in the context of flowchart elements, such as the rectangle for a process step and the diamond for a decision, the oval stands out as the universal symbol signaling the beginning or conclusion of a program.

The correct answer is 'Data persistence'. Data persistence refers to the characteristic of a storage system, such as a database, to save data in non-volatile storage, ensuring it is preserved over time despite events like power outages or system restarts. Without data persistence, information would be lost when the application that created it is closed. 'Data redundancy' refers to having the same piece of data stored in two or more places; this is often part of a backup strategy but is distinct from persistence. 'Data transience' and 'Data volatility' describe the opposite of persistence, where data is temporary and is lost when power is removed, such as data held in RAM.

A 64-bit processor architecture can address a vastly larger memory space than a 32-bit architecture. While typical 32-bit designs are limited to about 4 GB of addressable RAM, 64-bit CPUs and operating systems can access terabytes of physical memory. Choosing a 64-bit processor therefore allows the workstation to recognize and use more than 4 GB of RAM, improving performance with memory-hungry design applications.

The correct answer is SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE city = 'Paris'; because it specifically requests all records (noted by the asterisk *) from the 'Customers' table where the 'city' column matches the condition of being 'Paris'. The other options are incorrect because they either reference incorrect syntax, select from the wrong table, or filter by an incorrect condition.

According to the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology, when an initial theory is not confirmed after testing (in this case, replacing the network card did not resolve the connection issue), the next step is to establish a new theory and test it, or escalate the issue. Escalating is a common practice when a resolution cannot be found with the available resources or knowledge, allowing someone with more expertise or different resources to assist. The other options are incorrect because they either involve repeating a failed test without new information, jumping to a drastic and unfounded conclusion, or taking a passive approach instead of actively troubleshooting.

The correct answer is a function. A function is a reusable, named block of code that performs a specific task and can be called multiple times from different parts of a program. A variable is a named storage location for a value that can change, but it does not contain a block of executable code. A loop repeatedly executes a block of code in a single location as long as a condition is met, but it does not create a reusable, callable unit for the entire program. A constant is an identifier whose value cannot be changed during program execution.

The correct answer is 1 Gbps, which represents a data transfer rate of 1000 Mbps. Understanding this is essential, because it helps in evaluating the speed of network connections. Gbps stands for gigabits per second, which is a measure used to express high-speed data transfer rates. A gigabit is 1,000 times larger than a megabit, so 1 Gbps is 10 times faster than 100 Mbps.

Results that need to persist after power-off are written to non-volatile, secondary storage-such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or cloud storage. Main memory (RAM) and cache are forms of volatile memory; their contents are lost when power is removed. ROM chips like the BIOS hold firmware, not user data generated by processing.

An if-else statement evaluates a Boolean expression. If the expression is true, the code in the if block runs; otherwise, the code in the else block runs. Loop constructs such as for and while repeat code rather than choose between two alternatives, and a switch-case statement selects among multiple discrete values rather than a simple true/false condition.

A concurrent license allows multiple users to access the software, but limits the number of simultaneous users. This type of license is suitable for environments where not everyone needs to use the software at the same time, such as in an accounting firm with multiple staff members. Single use licenses are for one user/machine, group use/site licenses typically don't limit the number of concurrent users, and open source licenses usually allow for unlimited use without restrictions on concurrency.

HDMI and DisplayPort are both digital interfaces that carry high-definition video, but DisplayPort's higher maximum bandwidth (up to 32.4 Gbps with DP 1.4 and 80 Gbps with DP 2.1) allows it to drive higher resolutions and refresh rates than the HDMI versions most commonly found on desktop PCs. VGA is an older analog standard, and DVI, while digital, tops out at 2560 × 1600 @ 60 Hz on dual-link. Therefore, a DisplayPort cable will give the best image quality on a modern high-resolution monitor.