Describe the purpose of two registers that are used by Von Neumann architecture.
MAR( memory address register)
MDR or memory data register
Program counter
Accumulator
Identify three ways in which this new technology has affected employees. In each case, explain why it has had an impact.
Explain each of the following function of an operating system
Job scheduling/Process scheduling (2mks)
Memory management (2mks)
Using an example, explain a difference between a primary key and a foreign key in a relational database.
A primary key is a table field that uniquely identifies each record and ensures that duplicate entries are not allowed
A foreign key is primary key of a parent table placed in a child table to ensure that any record added to a child table is related to the one in parent table.
A foreign key is a field (or a set of fields) in one table that refers to the primary key of another table. It is used to establish and enforce a link between the data in the two tables, ensuring referential integrity.
Explain why it is beneficial to get more RAM instead of relying on virtual memory.
State one ethical responsibility of software users
COMPUTER STUDIES
PAPER 1
(THEORY)
OCT./NOV. 2005
2 ½ HOURS
SECTION A (40 MKS)
Answer all the questions in this section.
1. a) What is disk formatting? (1mk)
b) Indicate whether the following devices are used for input or output (2mks)
i) Plotter
ii)Light pen
iii)Mouse
iv)Visual display unit
2.a)Explain why the following and give one reason why they are not allowed in a computer laboratory. (2mks)
b) For each of the following give one reason why they are not allowed in a computer laboratory. (2mks)
i) Smoking
ii)Eating foods
3.Distinguish between Real, integer and Character data types as used in programming (3 mks)
4.The cells k3 to K10 of a worksheet contain remarks on student’s performance such as very good, good, fair and fail depending on the average mark. Write a formula that can be used to count all students who have the remark “very good” (3mks)
5.a) State the purpose of registers in a computer system (1mk)
b)Name two multiprogramming operating systems (2 mks)
6.a) A series file comprises of records placed in positions 1 to 10. State the position of the end of file marker. (1mk)
b)State the purpose of each of the following: (2mks)
i)File server software
ii)Communication software
7.a) Name the control structure depicted by the flowchart below. (1 mk)
b)Explain the following terms as used in program implementation. (2mks)
i)Parallel running
ii)Direct change over
8. Consider the linear arrays:
i) AAA (5:50)
ii)BBB (-5:10)
iii)CC (18)
Find the number of elements in each array (3mks)
9.Define the term artificial intelligence (2 mks)
10.Name two types of relationships that can be applied in database design (2mks)
11.Explain binary Coded Decimal code of data representation (1 mk)
a)Indenting
b)Alignment
c)Word wrap
12.Outline two ways in which a computer can be used in hotels (2 Marks)
13.a)Explain Binary Coded Decimal code of data representation (1marks)
b)Write the number 4110 in BCD notation (1 mk)
14.Arrange the following data units in ascending order of size.
BYTE, FILE, BIT, NIBBlE (2mks)
15.State two health issues that may result from prolonged use of computers (2 mks)
SECTION B (60 MARKS)
16. a) State the stage of program development in which (4 mk)
i) A flowchart would be drawn
ii)The programmer would check whether the program does as required
iii)The user guide would be written
iv)The requirements specifications would be written.
b)State the output of the following flow chart segment (1mk)
c) i)Draw a flowchart to compute the combined resistance ® of two resistors R1 and R2 in parallel using the formula;
(5mks)
ii)Write a program using Pascal or C languages for the flowchart in C (i) above. (5 ½ mks)
17. a)List three paragraph formatting activities in word processing (3mks)
b)Differentiate between bolding and highlighting text (2mks)
c) The following information shows the income and expenditure for “bebayote “ matatu for five days. The income from Monday to Friday was Kshs. 4,000, 9,000, 10, 000, 15,000 and 12,000 respectively while the expenditure for the same period was Kshs. 2,000, 3,000, 7,000, 5,000 and 6,000 respectively
i)Draw a spreadsheet that would contain the information. Indicate the rows as 1, 2, 3 …. And the columns as a, B, C (4mks)
ii)State the expression that would be used to obtain:
I Monday’s profit (2mks)
II Total income (2mks)
III)Highest expenditure (2mks)
18.a) Subtract 0112 from 10012 (1mk)
b)Using two’s compliment, subtract 7 from 4 and give the answer in decimal notation (4mks)
c) Convert
i) 91B16 to octal (3mks)
ii) 3768 to hexadecimal (3mks)
iii) 9.62510 to binary (4 mks)
19.a) Explain what the following DOS commands will do when executed.
i) A: \copy *.* B: (2 mks)
ii) C: \> ERASE*. DOC (2mks)
iii) b: \> Md EXAMS (2mks)
b) i) With the aid of a diagram, explain hierarchical (tree) network topology (3mks)
ii)List two advantages and two disadvantage of hierarchical network topology. (4 mks)
Advantages:-
Disadvantages:
20. a)Name and explain the function of the keyboard keys represented by the following symbols.
b) Simulation is one of the application areas of computers
i) What is meant by the term simulation (1mk)
ii)Name two application areas of simulation (2 mks)
iii) State three advantages of computer based simulation (3 mks)
c) Explain three ways in which computers have impacted education (3mks)
The Acme company stores data for a private scientific research group. It has recently upgraded its storage capacity and needs to dispose of its existing hard drives securely. Outline two methods for the secure disposal of the data on the hard drives.
Acme company needs to ensure that if they are reselling the drives they wipe the drive (this should be done regardless of the destruction of the drive) to the DoD standard.
This would ensure that any software cannot be used to locate files.
List two primary functions of a domain name server.
Describe two desirable features to look for in a laptop rather than a desktop computer.
– lightweight
– long battery life
– cool running processor
– touch pad
– internal webcam
Mention at least two trends in the technological revolution of computers.
Explain how the operating system performs job/process scheduling/management
State two functions of utility software
Briefly describe the following
Multitasking - the capability of an operating system to enable users to run two or more programs at once on a single computer
Real time processing - data processing system in which the time interval required to process and respond to inputs is so small that the response itself is useful for controlling the physical activity of a process
Time-sharing processing - a processing mode in which the central processor serves two or more users with different processing requirements (tasks)
On-line processing - is that type of processing where the result of data processing transaction is available immediately
Confidential information about the students is to be stored on the computer system. Explain the measures that can be taken to ensure that such information remains confidential.
- Passwords
- Hierarchy
- Only allow some staff to access student files
- Only some machines able to access
- Physical location of these machines
- Physical lock on machines
- Encrypted data in files
- Firewall if connected to the Internet
Differentiate between distributed data processing and time-sharing.
Why must operating system be installed in a computer before any other program
Describe what is meant by a MAC address.
State the functions of the following registers
Program counter // PC
• Stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched
Memory address register // MAR
• Stores the address where data/instruction is to be read from or saved to
Memory data register // MDR
• Stores data that is about to be written to memory // Stores data that has just been read from memory
Current instruction register // CIR
• Stores the instruction that is currently being decoded/executed
SECTION A (40 MKS)
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.
1.Describe the computer booting process. (2 mks)
2. State the functions of the following keys on the computer keyboard (2 mks)
a) Backspace
b)Insert (ins)
3. Jane has noticed the following problems with her computer keyboard (2mks)
State three possible causes of these problems and how they can be solved (3mks)
4 a)Define authenticity as used in software selection (1mk)
b) List four ways of acquiring software in an organization (2mks)
5 some of the storage disk available are: zip disks, 3 ½ inch floppy disks, DVDs and 5 ¼ inch floppy disks. Arrange these devices in ascending order of storage capacity. (2mks)
6.You have been asked to change your computer password. State a precaution you need to take in order to avoid each of the following:
a) Forgetting the password (1mk)
b) Hacking (1mk)
7.State four benefits of using a computer in a school library (2 mks)
8. Using six bits, find the two’s complement of -2310. (4 mks)
9. Explain data series, axis and legends as used in spreadsheet charts. (3mks)
10. a) Describe the term data integrity. (2 mks)
b) State four situations in which data may lose integrity. (2mks)
11.State the function of each of the following:
a)Network interface card (1 mk)
b)Network protocol (1 mk)
c)Hub (1mk)
12. List four types of publications that can be designed by using desktop publishing software. (2mks)
13. Differentiate between the following pair of terms as used in database design:
a) Input mask and design. (2 mks)
b) Table and query ( 2mks)
14. List four factors to be considered when purchasing an operating system. (2mks)
15 Write an algorithm to compute the area of a triangle. (2mks)
SECTION B (60 MARKS)
Answer question 16 and any other three questions from this section in the spaces provided
16. Study the flowchart below and answer the questions that follow
i) Name the control structures used in the flowchart (2mks)
ii) Determine the values of M, N, P and Q. ( 4 mks)
M………………………….. N………………………..
P ………………………….. Q ………………………
iii) Write the pseudo code for the flowchart (7mks)
b) List four functions of an assembler (2 mks)
17. Define the following web related terms:
i) Web browser (1mk)
ii) Hyperlink (1mk)
iii) Hypertext document (1mk)
b) List six activities performed on the web (3mks)
c) An institution has ten stand alone computers
i) Suggest with reasons the most appropriate topology required to inter-connect the computers. (3mks)
ii) State the necessary steps required to connect the computers to the internet. (4mks)
d) Below is an email address:
Name the parts labeled:
i)
ii)
iii)
18.A computer C directory has folders for form 1, form 2, Form 3 and form 4. Each class has student’s folders labeled according to their number. The students create their own folder for the subject the are studying based on the table shown below
|
Form 1 |
Form 2 |
Form 3 |
Form 4 |
|
OS |
SP |
Pr. |
ADB |
|
WP |
DTP DB |
Internet |
|
a)Assuming there is one student per class, draw the corresponding directory tree structure. (6 mks)
b) i) a form four student wants to create a folder to store her project. State the path for that project folder.(2 mks)
ii)Suggest how the student can ensure that:
1. Work is not lost in case the hard disk fails. (1mk)
2. The project is not copied by other students. (1mk)
c) i). Other than I/O devices, list other three devices under the control of the operating system. (3mks)
ii)Explain any one of the devices named in C (i) above (1mk)
d)Define the term trouble shooting (1mk)
19. A manager wishes to replace the current manual system with a computerized one
a)Describe three main areas that must be evaluated to justify the replacement (6mks)
b) List the three areas that would be considered in the requirements specifications. (3mks)
c)State and explain three ways that can be followed to replace the current system (6mks)
20. a) A head teacher keeps the following student details in a database: Name, Address, Town, Date of Birth, Marks scored, Fees paid.
i)Name the most appropriate primary key. Give a reason (2mks)
ii)For each item in the student’s details above, indicate its most appropriate data type as used in the database. (3mks)
iii)Explain why input screens are better data entry designs than entering data directly to a table. (2mks)
b)List two career opportunities associated with databases. (2mks)
c)Distinguish between:
i) A table in a word-processing application and a table in a database application (2mks)
ii)Mouse pointer and insertion point. (2mks)
d)Outline the steps to be followed in order to merge cells in a word processing table. (2mks)