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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

State five functions of network operating system

  • allowing the network to share resources like files and software for printers and computers
  • support the network's implementation of security features
  • controls user accounts
  • supplies network administrators with network monitoring tools.
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State two advantages and one disadvantage of having a network of computers, rather than a series of stand-alone machines, in a school classroom.

Advantages

  • Sharing of software and data files
  • Sharing of hardware, e.g. printers
  • Communication

Disadvantages

  • Security of files is more of a problem
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Explain the functions of the following parts of the CPU

Control Unit; Decodes instruction; Controls the fetching and writing of data;

Arithmetic Logic Unit/ ALU; Executes mathematical instructions;  Executes logical instructions; Compares values held in registers;

 Clock; Controls the number of instructions carried out each second;   allows the CPU to synchronize operations;

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One facility of a Software Development Environment is to convert source code to machine code.  Name and briefly describe four other facilities commonly found in a Software Development Environment.

  • Editor: this allows a programmer to enter and edit source code
  • Automatic formatting:  Correctly indents code
  • Automatic colour coding:  Changes key words, literals and annotation to different colours
  • Linker: this is a program which allows previously compiled code, from software libraries, to be linked together
  • Loader: this is a program which loads previously compiled code into memory.
  • Debugger: this is a program which helps locate, identify and rectify errors in a program
  • Syntax error detection:  Highlighting syntax errors before code is translated
  • Trace: this is a facility which displays the order in which the lines of a program are executed, and possibly the values of variables as the program is being run
  • Break point: this is a facility which interrupts a program on a specific line of code, allowing the programmer to compare the values of variables against expected values.  The program code can then usually be executed one line at a time.  This is called single-stepping
  • Variable watch: this is a facility which displays the current value of any variable.  The value can be 'watched' as the program code is single-stepped to see the effects of the code on the variable.  Alternatively a variable watch may be set, which will interrupt the program flow if the watched variable reaches a specified value
  • Memory inspector: this is a facility which will display the contents of a section of memory
  • Error diagnostics: these are used when a program fails to compile or to run.  Error messages are displayed to help the programmer diagnose what has gone wrong
  • Emulator: will provide and emulator to run the code/app so no physical device required
  • Context sensitive menu:  SDE suggests available options
  • Statement completion:  SDE will complete a statement such as adding an ‘end if’ to an ‘if’ statement GUI creation:  Allows programmer to create a GUI by dragging and dropping controls (buttons, etc...) onto a form.
  • Publisher: facility to package up and deploy program as an easy to install package
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What is a computer keyboard?

A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter text, characters, and various commands into a computer or other digital devices.

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State the functions of the following protocols

POP -Stands for post office protocol

  • used to download emails from email servers

SMTP- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

  • used to send emails to email servers and transfer emails between servers

FTP - Stands for the file transfer protocol

  • handles file uploads and downloads
  • transfers data and programs and not viewable content

 

State the functions of the following protocols

POP -Stands for post office protocol

  • used to download emails from email servers

SMTP- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

  • used to send emails to email servers and transfer emails between servers

FTP - Stands for the file transfer protoc

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How many hard disks are required to implement RAID 10?

  • 4 (four)
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Distinguish between a client-server and a peer-to-peer network

  • In a client-server network, every device is either a client or a server whereas in a peer-to-peer network each computer has equal responsibility and each has the ability to work as both a server and a client
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Below is a labelled diagram of a star topology network.

(a) Other than the items labelled above state the hardware required by every computer to connect to a network

b) Describe how a packet is transmitted from computer A to computer D, including the role of the switch

 

(a)

  • Hardware required by each computer to connect to a network is a Network Interface Card / NIC / network adapter

(b)

  • Computer A adds computer D’s address to packet
  • Computer A sends packet to switch
  • Switch looks at address on packet  Switch compares to stored list of addresses on network
  • Switch forwards packet to computer D’s address
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Outline any 2 Examples of wireless transmission media       (2marks)

  • Radio waves
  • Microwaves
  • Infrared waves
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State two computer-based careers  that have arisen as a result of  computer-based data processing in a factory    (2 marks)

System analyst

Web designers

Network administrators

Database administrators

Programmers

Computer technicians

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State a stage in system development where each of the following activities are carried out    (KCSE 2018)

(a) Identifying technologies that may be used in a proposed system

  • System Analysis/Information gathering/Problem recognition

(b) Identifying the shortcomings of the old system

  • Problem definition

(c) Prepares the software migration plan

  • Implementation stage
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Distinguish between transcription and transposition types of errors and give an example of each  (4mks)

Transcription Errors: Transcription errors involve the incorrect entry of data due to mistakes made during the copying or typing process. These errors can occur when transferring information from one source to another.

Transposition Errors: Transposition errors specifically refer to errors where the order of characters or digits is accidentally reversed or swapped. This can happen during manual data entry or when processing information.

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State four operations that may be performed on a file by an operating system

  • file deletion
  • file copying
  • file renaming
  • file retrieval
  • file closing
  • file reading
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Describe an environmental issue related to the disposal of computer components

Many components that go into computer systems are toxic and dangerous to the environment if released or disposed of inappropriately.
Heavy metals are used in batteries and circuits and these can pollute groundwater or kill animals if left exposed on landfill. Large quantities of plastics are used in systems, which take a long time to break down, some of the plastic will eventually break down into toxins as it degrades.

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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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

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Describe the main characteristics that distinguish high-level programming languages from low-level languages.

  1. Low level languages do not resemble natural languages they are made up entirely of bit patterns
  2. Low level languages produce code that is executed faster as it is already in a format the CPU can execute / does not need to be translated.
  3. High level languages are easier to understand / learn as commands are more like English / identifiers can be meaningful .
  4. High level languages are easier to use leading to fewer errors.

Describe the purpose of a data dictionary, using an address book database as an example.

  • when designing a database a data dictionary provides the description and purpose of the fields/attributes of the database table(s). For example the field name (i.e. “phone number”), the data type (text); the size of the field (10) etc.
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Define the term multimedia

  • Is an integration of sound, text, graphics, and video to convey information
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Describe the problem recognition and definition stage of system development

  • problem recognition involves the system analyst identifying and accepting the existence of a problem in the current system
  • problem definition involves the analyst studying the system to understand its operations and shortcomings
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