State two effects of a computer virus
Give one advantage of a star network when compared to a ring network.
– if one station/cable fails, others are not affected
– easier to identify faults when using star topologies
– it is easier to expand this type of network
– performance doesn’t deteriorate under load
Explain why the organization's management and the analyst need to work together to define the problem accurately during system development
Students are using their wireless notebooks to complete their work in a classroom. They will need to connect wirelessly to a printer to print their answers at the end of the lesson.
Describe how CSMA/CA (Carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance) operates in the above scenario.
Explain the difference between main memory and secondary storage.
Define disk formatting and state three reasons for formatting a disk
Definition
Reasons:
What is a web browser?
List any two components of an expert system (2marks)
KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1, 2001
SECTION A (40 MARKS)
ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
1.Compare the two types of diskettes used in microcomputers in terms of physical size and densities. (2mks)
2.Why is it necessary to have a UPS in a computer laboratory? (2mks)
3 a) Explain what is meant by batch processing (1mk)
b) Give one advantage and one disadvantage of batch processing ( 2mks)
4. List any four high level programming languages (2mks)
5.A 3 by 4 matrix M is to be added to another 3 by 4 matrix array N so as to give a third 3 by 4 matrix array P. Using a high level programming language, write a program segment that assigns the sum of M and N to P.(4mks)
6. The first column in the table below contains the formulae as stored into the cell F10 of a spreadsheet. Enter the formulae, as they would appear when copied to the cell M20 of the same spreadsheet. (3mks)
|
Formula in F10 |
Formula in m20 |
|
=D10* E10 |
|
|
=A$ 25 |
|
|
=$ D$13 |
|
7. Give three advantages of separating data from the applications that use the data in database design. (3mks)
8. Explain the impact of information on organizations in each of the following areas: (2mks)
a) Competition
b) Pace of growth
9. a) List any four tasks that an electronic spreadsheet should be able to perform other than calculations (2mks)
b) Explain what is meant by automatic recalculation as used in a spreadsheet.(1 mk)
10. Describe the functions of the following computer hardware components:
a)Mouse (2 ½ mks)
b)Scanner. (1 ½ mks)
11. a)State two differences between Disk Operating System (DOS) and WINDOWS operating system.
b. i) Define the term application software (1mk)
ii) Give one example of application software (1mk)
12. a) Give one difference between internal and external commands in Disk Operating System. (2mks)
b) Name two DOS commands that may be used for checking disk errors. (2mks)
13. Explain how a paragraph can be moved from one place to another in word-processing. 2mks)
14. Define the term structured programming. (2mks)
SECTION B (60MKS)
Answer question 15 and any other three questions from this section.
15.a) What is meant by each of the following terms:
i) pseudocode (1 ½ mks)
ii) Flowchart (1 ½ mks)
b) a program is required to list the first 1000 numbers in the series: 2, 4, 6, 8,
10. Draw a flowchart and write a program that can be carried out this task. (12 mks)
16. The following car details are to be entered in a database; make, date-of-manufacture, colour and cost.
a) Prepare a suitable database structure showing field names and their field types (5mks)
b) Explain how you index the data such that cars of the same make and colours are together (2mks)
c) Write a statement that can be used to select cars of the colour green (2 mks)
d) Give an instruction that would;
i)select cars whose cost lie between 500,000/= and 1,000,000/= (3 mks)
ii)Determine the average cost of all cars (3mks)
17. a)The diagram below represents the essential features o a computer system. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:
i)Name the components (4mks)
A
B
C
D
ii) On the diagram above, indicate the direction of data flow using arrows. (3mks)
b) Name the three types of buses in a computer system (3mks)
c) Explain how CPU registers may be used to carry out a basic calculation such as:2 + 7 = 9
d) Name two computers output devices. (1 Mark)
18. a)State three ways in which computer technology may affect employment patterns in organizations (3mks)
b) State three ways in which computer technology may affect employment patterns in organizations (3mks)
c)Suggest three strategies that can be employed to manage resistance to change (3mks)
d) Give three advantages of computerization in an organization. (3mks)
19. a)In a computer based information system, state the purpose of the following files and give one example where such a file may be required in a school. (8mks)
i) report file
ii)Back-up file
iii)Reference file
iv) Sort file
b) State three precautions that should be taken to ensure that diskettes are well stored. (3 mks)
c) Distinguish between “serial” and Indexed sequential” file organization methods. (2mks)
d) Distinguish between binary and octal number systems and give an example of each (2mks)
When a new student is enrolled, a new record is added to the file immediately. The examination grades of all students are updated twice a year. Discuss the processing implications of these two requirements.
Enrolment:
- Data input on line
- Individual records validated
- Speed mismatch implications
- Indexes updated immediately
Exam grades:
- Data input twice
- Off line
- Run as a batch
- At otherwise downtime
Explain how virtual memory can compensate for the limited RAM capacity in a computer.
Distinguish between an optical scanner and a magnetic ink scanner
What characterises a phased implementation approach?
- Phased means that only one part of the system is implemented at a time
Give any three advantages of computer networks
Website data is broken down into packets to be transmitted to a user. Describe the structure of a data packet.
It has a header
It has a payload
It has a trailer.
Name two other input/output devices used at the POS terminal apart from keyboard and barcode reader and give a use for each device.
device: beeper/loud speaker
use: to indicate barcode correctly read/error in reading barcode
device: (LCD) screen/monitor
use: to show prices and other information about goods
device: touch screen
use: to show prices and other information about goods/to select items that need to be
weighed/identified
device: weighing machine
use: to find weight of loose items (e.g. fruit) to enable pricing
device: (magnetic) card reader/CHIP and PIN reader
use: to read customer’s debit/credit card/enable customer to pay for goods using a
credit or debit card
device: printer
use: to print receipts
State examples of wireless transmission media
Describe two differences between a switch and a repeater
Identify and describe four roles of the operating system when managing the resources of a personal computer.
Manages memory (RAM)
Ensures programs/data do not corrupt each other
Manages processes
Allows the user to run programs
Other roles
Describe what is meant by a MAC address.