Give three characteristics of an IP address.
Differentiate between uploading and downloading a file
Uploading a file refers to the process of transferring a file from a local computer to a remote webserver while downloading a file refers to the process of transferring or copying a file from a remote webserver to a local machine
Differentiate between modulation and demodulation as used in data communication
Modulation refers to the process of converting a digital signal to analog signal at the transmission end while demodulation is to converting analog signal to digital signal at the receiving end
Describe one way developers ensure that their software addresses inclusivity issues.
Incorporate language support features in their software, which allows users to select their preferred language. This can be achieved through multi-language user interfaces and providing translation capabilities. By doing so, developers address language barriers and make the software accessible to a broader audience, demonstrating a commitment to cultural inclusivity.
Gender inclusivity – use gender-neutral language in examples
Cultural/Racial inclusivity – use a variety of ethnicities in photos
Ability inclusivity – represent awareness of disability in some examples
Sexual preference inclusivity – use language that is supportive of LGBTQI+ people
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
Describe the query criteria given below
(a) Like "*kenya*"
(b) Like "*ina"
(c) Like U*
(d) Not Like U*
(e) >= "Mexico"
(f) Like "[A-D]*"
(g) "USA" Or "UK"
Explain what happens in the computer during the booting process
The booting process is the sequence of events that occur when a computer is turned on or restarted. It involves a series of steps that allow the computer's operating system to initialize and become functional. Here's a simplified explanation of what happens during the booting process:
Power-On Self-Test (POST): When the computer is powered on, the first thing it does is perform a Power-On Self-Test. During this step, the computer's hardware components, such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices, are checked for proper functioning. The POST verifies that all essential hardware components are present and operational.
Bootloader: Once the POST is completed, the computer looks for the bootloader. The bootloader is a small program stored in the computer's firmware or on the bootable device (such as the hard drive or a USB drive). It is responsible for loading the operating system.
Loading the Operating System: The bootloader locates the operating system's files and initiates the loading process. It may display a boot menu allowing the user to choose the operating system if multiple options are available. The selected operating system's core files are loaded into the computer's memory.
Kernel Initialization: The operating system's kernel, which is the central component responsible for managing system resources, is initialized. The kernel sets up essential components such as device drivers, memory management, and process management.
System Initialization: After the kernel is initialized, the operating system proceeds with system initialization. During this stage, various system services and processes are started, and hardware devices are initialized and configured. The operating system loads essential system files and prepares the environment for user interaction.
Login/Graphical Interface: Once the system initialization is complete, the user is presented with a login prompt or a graphical user interface (GUI). The user can then log in with their credentials or interact with the GUI to access the computer's functionalities.
State advantages and disadvantages of the following system implementation strategies
Phased:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Pilot:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Direct:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Parallel:
Advantages:
For your item named in (a) describe two different tasks that the microprocessor performs.
Why are CD-Rs and CD_ROMs referred to as WORM?
What is utility software?
State THREE reasons why binary is used in developing digital electronic systems (3marks)
State the differences between a hub and a switch
State and explain characteristics of an algorithm
Input : An algorithm can take 0 or more inputs well defined outputs
Finiteness: an algorithm must terminate in finite time and after finite number of steps.
Definiteness : an algorithm must be clear and unambiguous. Each and every step of an algorithm must be clear and precise and it must have only one meaning
Feasibility: should be feasible with the available resources
Output : must produce at least one well defined output
Independent : should have a step-by-step directions which is independent of any programming language
Correctness: should solve the problem it is designed to solve
Efficiency: must take the shortest time possible to run and should require the least memory space. It should use a minimum number of computation steps and memory to produce the desired output. takes little time and memory to run
Generality: should not be limited to a specific case. It should work for all the valid inputs. works for many possible inputs
Effectiveness : should statements that are relevant to the problem. Every step must be basic and essential.
Distinguish between real-time and distributed operating systems (KCSE 2018)
Describe four features of the operating system when providing a graphical user interface on a personal computer. Give a suitable example of each feature.
Windows for example a word processing application and a spreadsheet
Menus, for example, allow the user to perform operations or run applications such as right-click to create a new folder
Icons for example a picture of linked computers for networking
Pointers(mouse or touchscreen) for example to select items/trigger events
Shortcuts for example to frequently used applications for example having a shortcut to your mail client on your desktop
File navigation for example when searching the hard disc for a file/folder using a browser
copying / deleting / moving/sorting/naming/searching of files or folders for example copying of a file from the hard drive to a USB pen drive (File handling)
Desktop customisation for example changing the colours and background image
Copy and paste for example between applications e.g. copying a graph from a spreadsheet to a word processor
Error messages for example provide users with error/warning/help messages for example ‘printer out of paper’
Give two different scenarios when a fast broadband connection is essential.
– when transferring large files/attachments with emails
– when streaming music/video files/bit streaming
– when using VoIP/video conferencing
– software updates
– online transactions
– Using VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)
What is a source code as used in computer programming?
Outline one advantage and one disadvantage of interviews and questionnaires as data gathering techniques.
Interviews
Advantages
Disadvantages
Questionnaire
Advantages
Disadvantages
State the factors that affect the performance of the CPU
Number of cores
The number of cores a processor has directly affects the performance of the processor. Each core can perform its own fetch-execute cycle independently of others, so different applications can be allocated to different cores. Quad-core (four-core) and even octa-core (eight-core) processors are becoming common
Cache memory
A processor’s cache is a small portion of incredibly fast memory. It has read and write speeds far higher than hard disk drives and even SSDs. The cache is used to store frequently used information and reduces time wasted in fetching the same information from main memory time and time again
Clock speed
A processor’s clock speed relates to the frequency of the pulses generated by the system clock. The higher the frequency, the more cycles of the fetch-execute cycle can be completed in the same period of time.
Word length
A word is a group of bits that is treated as a single unit by a processor. Words can be used for representing both instructions and data. The length of a word is the number of bits that are assigned to it, with higher word lengths allowing for more bits to be transferred and manipulated as a single unit.
Address bus width
The width of a bus relates to the number wires that make up the bus. Increasing the width of the address bus increases the range of addresses that it can specify, hence increasing the computer’s amount of addressable memory. Adding a single wire doubles the number of addressable memory locations
Data bus width
Increasing the width of the data bus increases the volume of data that can be transferred over the bus at any one time. A wider data bus allows the processor to fetch more data from the main memory in one cycle of the fetch-execute cycle, reducing the number of cycles required to fetch large volumes of data.