• The preparation of a system proposal which lists the problem definition, objectives of the study, terms of reference of study, constraints, and expected benefits of the new system, in light of the user requirements

2.1.1 Explain the concept of open source in the context of FOSS. (2)

• Is a software whose source available and user can modify and redistribute

Give ONE example of a free operating system the company could install on a laptop. (1)

• Linux
• FreeBSD
• ReactOS
• Android
• ChromeOS
• OpenSolaris

2.1.3 State TWO disadvantages of using free open-source software.

• Lack of support
• Security risks
• Compatibility issues
• Hidden costs

Physical topology - the physical arrangement of nodes of a computer network

Examples

• bus topology
• ring topology
• mesh topology
• star topology

Logical topology- the way data flows in a network

Examples

• Ethernet
• Ring

1. SECTION A
2.  Answer all questions in this section
3. What is a computer?                                                                                                            1mks
4. State three physical components that make up a computer                                                 3mks
5. State the hardware technological differences between the second generation and third generation computers                                                                                                          2mks
6. State and explain three characteristics of a computer                                                         3mks
7. State the functions of the following special memories in a computer                                3mks
8. Buffers
9.  
10. Registers
11. Cache
12.  
13. Define the following as used in data representation in a computer                                  (5mks)
14. Bit
15.  
16.  
17. Byte
18.  
19.  
20. Nibble
21.  
22.  
23.  
24. Word
25.  
26.  
27.  
28. Word-length
29.  
30.  
31. State two reasons why a DVD is superior to a typical compact disk                               (2mks)
32. State three advantages of flat panel monitors over cathode ray tube monitors                   3mks
33. Explain the following terms as used in word processing                                                  3mks
34. Section breaks
35. Thesaurus
36. Superscript
37. State two advantages of  impact printers                                                                             2mks
38. State the function of the following keys on the computer keyboard                                  3mks
39. Enter key
40. Insert key
41. Delete key
42. State the technology used by the following secondary devices to store data                      3mks
43. Magnetic storage devices
44. Solid state storage devices
45. Optical storage devices
46. State three reasons why an operating system is important in a computer                         3mks
47. A typical computer’s main memory consists of both volatile and non-volatile memory.
48. i)  Explain what is meant by the term volatile memory                                          (1mark)
49. ii) What is normally stored in the non-volatile part of a computer’s main memory (1mark)
50. Explain why having cache memory can improve the performance of the CPU         (2mks)
51. What is a computer system?                                                                                           (1mk
52. Give two differences between a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard disk drive (HDD)   2mks
53. State three categories of software classified according User license agreement              (3mks)
54. State two disadvantages of Random Access Memory                                                       (1mk)
55.  
56.  
57. a) Explain the functions performed by the following components of a processor   (2 marks)
58. Control unit

Advantages

• can cover large areas
• requires minimal land-based transmission support
• requires minimal infrastructure to provide internet access
• minimal impact on the environment or humans.

Disadvantages

• transmission speeds are not comparable with other forms of transmission
• data costs are expensive by comparison to other forms of transmission
• expensive to deliver.

• car factories/factories
• chemical/nuclear factories
• production lines
• warehouses
• deep in the ocean/down mines
• on other planets/in space
• road junctions

• Single-mode fibre consists of a narrow core in which all light pulses travel at the same speed and arrive roughly at the same time at the destination.
• Supports higher bandwidth with less signal loss over a greater distance
• Multi-mode Multi-mode fibre consists of a larger core in which multiple light pulses can travel down the core.
• Supports a smaller bandwidth and signals attenuate at a shorter distance than single mode fibre.

Advantages

• It is intuitive
• Easy to navigate
• Uses menus, pointers and icons thus easy to learn and use
• It lets the user exchange data between different software applications
• The user does not have to learn complicated commands

Disadvantages

• Takes a lot of memory
• A lot of processor power is needed
• Takes up a larger amount of hard disk space than other interfaces
• They need significantly more memory (RAM) to run than other interface types

• RSI in wrists or fingers from prolonged typing or repeated clicking of mouse button
• headaches/eyestrain/dry eye from staring at a monitor for long periods of time/glare from monitor
• back ache/strain from sitting in the  same position for a long time/using chair with no adjustment

Open source : refers to software provided freely with its source code. The user can modify and redistribute the software.

Freeware: these are software that can be downloaded for free and distributed, buta  the source code is hidden and cannot be altered.

Shareware: is software that is available for free within a given trial period, after which it must be bought.

Proprietary: software made for commercial purposes. The source code is hidden, and it can only be used after paying for a licence.

(i) Incorrect use of language, e.g. PLINT instead of PRINT
(ii) A mistake in the structure of the solution, e.g. a jump goes to the wrong line
(iii) Inappropriate arithmetic is used, e.g. division by 0 is attempted

Any two from:

• Registers
• Clock
• CU
• ALU

• camera film speed, position (end of film), distance, light
• washing machine amount of water, speed of wash/temperature/time
• fridge temperature, display panel
• air conditioning temperature, timing, display pane

(a)State what is meant by the terms:

Parallel data transmission

• 8 bits/1 byte/multiple bits sent at a time  
• using many/multiple/8 wires/lines

Serial data transmission

• one bit sent at a time over a single wire

SECTION A (40 MARKS)

1.Describe the purpose of each of the following computer functional units:    (2mks)

    a) Control

    b) Storage

2.Explain how each of the following would affect the suitability of a room for use as a computer room: (2mks)

a) Burglar proofed door

b)Availability of taps and sinks in the room

3.State three data representation codes used in computers       (3mks)

4.State two types of documentation in program development and give the purpose of each.     (4mks)

5.Suppose a 5 element array A contains the values 9, 12, 17, 7 and 20.  Find the value in A after executing the loop below:

            Repeat for k = 1 to 4

            Set A [k +1]: = A [k]

                        [End of loop]            (3mks)

6.State any three activities that occur in a program compilation process  (3mks)

7.The formula = k20 + P$ 18 was typed in cell L21 and then copied to cell M24 of a spreadsheet. Write the formula as it appears in cell M24.(2mks)

8.State two ways in which a computer may be used in the efficient running of a hospital (2mks)

9.List three disadvantages of using the traditional file management method          (3mks)

10.Give one disadvantage of a single processor multi-user system    (1mk)

11. List three differences between a micro-computer and a super-computer.         (3mks)

12.State and explain two reasons why word processing is one of the most common applications of many computer users.   (2mks)

13. write- 1 in twos complement notation in byte form                                        (4mks)

14.Explain the following input/output terms as used in computer systems. Give an example for each        (4mks)

  a) Read

  b) Write

15.State two disadvantages of networking.

SECTION B (60 MKS)

Answer question 16 and any other three questions from this section.

16.The following flowchart can be used to list the odd numbers between 0 and 100

a)Write a program segment for the flowchart using a high level language.  (7mks)

b)What would be the output from the flowchart if the statement in the decision box is changed to:  (3 mks)

i)          Odd = 100

ii)         Odd< 100

iii)        Odd> 100

c)  Modify the flowchart so that it prints only the sum of the odd number between 0 and 100  (5mks)

17.a)  List five precautions that can be taken to protect data stored in diskettes   (5mks)

b)State and explain two precautions that can be taken to help recover data lost through accidental erasure. (4mks)

   c) Describe each of the following data processing methods:    (6mks)

   i) Batch processing

   ii) Distributed processing

   iii) Multiprogramming

18. a)  i)  What is a computer keyboard?      (1 mk)

           ii)  ist four types of keys found on a computer keyboard.  Give an example of each(4mks)

     b) Give four differences between present day’s computers and the older generation of computers   (4mks)

     c)   i) State three advantages and one disadvantage of using a laser printer.  (4mks)

           ii) Distinguish between a line printer and a page printer             (2mks)

19  a) Identity three public Universities and three National Polytechnics in Kenya where further computer training is offered. In case, state the highest level of qualification that can be acquired in computer training. (6 mks)

b) Distinguish between “Job replacement” and “Job displacement” in reference to computerization.  (2mks)

c) Give four reasons why a firm may decide to computerize its operations.   (4mks)

d) An individual has a right to demand a guarantee of privacy of personal information stored on a computer.Give three such types of information.  (3mks)

20. a)  Give three comparisons of the traditional file management method of typing a document on a typewriter against using a word processor.     (6mks)

      b)  i) Define the term spreadsheet (1 mk)

            ii) Give two examples of spreadsheet packages available in the market today        (2mks)

      c) Explain the following terms as used in a spreadsheet:

             i)  What if …analysis         (2 mks)

             ii) Cell                (1 mk)

             iii) Formula  (1mk)

             iv)  Pie chart                                                                      (2 mks)

Optical Mark Recognition; Optical Character Recognition; Magnetic Ink Character Recognition ; Optical Bar Recognition

Giving answers as readers is also acceptable, that is, Optical Character Readers, Magnetic Ink Character Readers; Optical Mark Readers

Microwaves can cover shorter distances. On the contrary, radio waves can travel a long distance. Radio wave is usually propagated through sky mode while microwave uses the line of sight propagation. 

• colour codes // colour in HTML/CSS
• error messages
• locations in memory
• memory dump // debugging 
• IP(v6) address
• ASCII // Unicode
• assembly language
• URL.

• Protection against Password-related Vulnerabilities: Traditional password-based authentication methods are vulnerable to various risks, such as weak passwords, password sharing, or password theft.
• Stronger Access Control: Biometric readers add an additional layer of access control to laptops. Even if someone gains physical possession of the laptop, they would still need the authorized user's biometric data to unlock it and access the data. This helps prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive information stored on the laptop,
• Audit Trail and Accountability: Biometric authentication systems often come with built-in logging and auditing capabilities. This means that each time someone accesses the laptop using their biometric data, it can be recorded and associated with a specific user. This creates an audit trail, allowing organizations to track and monitor access to laptops and establish accountability in case of any security incidents or breaches.

• Websites – any inappropriate websites ie pornography, drugs, guns,
• terrorism etc. e.g. is it acceptable for the organisation to allow access to this
• sort of material when you can’t control who is accessing the service?
• Time – limit amount of time, they may not want to provide indefinite access
• or may want to charge for access after the time limit has expired.
• Preventing file sharing and illegal sharing\use of copyrighted materials.
• Accountability – identification of users and actions on a network by
• preventing anonymous access.
• Prevention of illegal activities such as terrorism and fraud.
• The responsibility to keep children safe and protected.
• Responsibility to keep users (customers) data safe and secure.
• Spoofing of websites, phishing. Responsibility of organisation to put some kind of protection in place, eg filtering of known fraudulent sites.
• Recording of private messages or details if not encrypted.
• Recording of usernames and passwords that the user may also use to access other systems.
• Responsibility of organisation to secure their systems from possible attack.
• Sales and marketing – providing sales leads to market products.