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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

Describe two effects on society of an increase in the use of the Internet for e-commerce.

  • loss of jobs as some traditional shops/banks close
  • lower profits for companies that do not get involved with e-commerce
  • decline of leisure shopping as goods are bought on-line
  • city centres becoming deserted as shops/banks close down
  • gap between rich and poor widening as richer get savings from
  • shopping on-line
  • more people choosing to interact with computers rather than people
  • increase in small businesses
  • less pollution/travelling
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Describe each of the following storage devices

DVD - optical media which use one spiral track; red lasers are used to read and write data on the media surface; makes use of dual-layering technology to increase the storage capacity

ROM - non-volatile memory chip; contents of the chip cannot be altered; it is often used to store the start-up routines in a computer (e.g. the BIOS)

SSD/ Solid State Drive/memory (SSD)

non-volatile memory device that uses NAND flash memories (which consist of millions of transistors wired in series on single circuit boards)

Blue Ray -  optical media that uses blue laser technology to read and write data on the media surface; it uses a single 1.1 mm polycarbonate disc

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State any four applications of electronic spreadsheets

  • Financial accounting
  • Prediction and forecasting
  • Inventory keeping
  • Budgeting
  • Keeping records
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6 Programmers write software that controls hardware and interacts with users. Some of this software ensures that networks function properly.

(a) Compilers and interpreters translate source code written in programming languages.
  State four other features of a compiler.

 A single executable file is produced 

The executable program is portable between machines

The program source code is not available

Code can be optimised/made more efficient 

Entire source code file is converted at once

No special environment is needed to execute the code 

It creates object/machine code

Error report is provided at the end of the compilation

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Describe what is meant by shareware.

 the trial version of software for a limited time/number of uses with limited features  free of charge

If a full version is required need to pay a fee/sign up

When the trial is over user is asked to pay/sign up

Protected by copyright

Type of software licence
 

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State and explain four network communication devices

  • Repeaters : amplify data signal thereby extending the physical coverage of a network. It can connect two LANs locally.
  • Bridges: connect similar types of networks e.g a token ring to another token ring
  • Routers: link networks of different types
  • Gateway: allows computers in a network to connect regardless of their topology
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For your item named in (a) describe two different tasks that the microprocessor performs.

  • 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
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Distinguish between firmware and device drivers as used in computers.                  (2mrks)

  • Firmware is a software program permanently etched into a hardware device such as a keyboards, hard drive, BIOS, or video cards.
  • Device drivers are operating system-specific and hardware-dependent. A device driver acts as a translator between the hardware device and the programs or operating systems that use it. 
  • Firmware is a software that controls a system, and firmware's functionality ranges from performing basic tasks like minimal I/O controls to full-fledged software system running with simple or no OS, with scheduler, memory management, etc. 
  • driver, on the other hand, is usually part of the operating system that performs the specific task of controlling a hardware component like a display or USB controller, etc., and gives an interface to use the hardware by Operating system and applications.
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Describe one effect of not having primary keys in tables in a relational database

Without a primary key, a table in a database may have duplicate rows, making data not uniquely identifiable. This can lead to issues with data integrity and challenges in maintaining relationships between tables. Retrieving and updating specific records becomes problematic, and setting referential integrity constraints is impossible, potentially leading to loss of data.

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Website data is broken down into packets to be transmitted to a user. Describe the structure of a data packet.

It has a header

  • that contains the destination address
  • that contains the packet number
  • that contains the originator’s address

It has a payload

It has a trailer.

 

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KCSE 2021 Prediction Computer Studies Paper 1

b) Study the following pseudocode and answer the questions that follow.

1. Start

2. Get Value1 and Value2

3. If Value1> Value2 Then

4. Maximum = Value1

5. Else If Value1< Value2 Then

6. Maximum = Value2

7. Else Go to 9

8. Display Maximum

9. Stop

i) State the purpose of the pseudocode                                                                                  [1]

To compare two values and output the greater of the two

ii) Draw a flowchart equivalent to the pseudocode.                                                                     [8]

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State the function of a router in a network

  • connects different networks
  • transfer data packets from source to destination
  • allow hosts on different networks to communicate
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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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State ways in which a network manager can use to ensure that the network is secure

  • Encrypt network traffic
  • Use of Firewall(s)
  •  Anti-virus software
  • Password protect the database
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Explain why the organization's management and the analyst need to work together to define the problem accurately during system development

  • College authorities are the experts in the problem
  • A system Analyst is an expert with computers
  • The two need to pool resources to come up with a clear definition
  • Agree on the outcomes so that when the system is , there are a set of criteria to judge it by
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State the uses of 3D printers

  • Making prosthetic limbs for patients
  • Making items which allow precise reconstructive surgery
  • Making light-weight plane wings
  • Making sculptures
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Give three characteristics of an IP address.

  • consists of values between 0–255 / 0–FFF
  • values are separated by full stops/colons
  • it is a unique address
  • can be static or dynamic
  • can be public or private
  • can be IPv4 / have four groups of digits
  • can be IPv6 / have eight groups of digits
  • in IPv6: can replace groups of zeros.
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Explain, with examples where appropriate, the following five computer terms.

(a) Buffer

(b)batch processing

(c) e-commerce

(d) simulation

(a) Buffer

  • temporary storage or memory which compensates for the difference speed of peripherals and the CPU

(b)batch processing

  • processing doesn’t start until all data is collected
  • JCL (any reference to Job Control Language)
  • no need for user interaction
  • processed all in one go
  • done at “quiet” times
  • e.g. billing, payroll, cheque processing

(c) e-commerce

  • electronic commerce
  • buying and selling products/services using the internet/computer networks

(d) simulation

  • studying the behaviour of a system by using a model/mathematical representation
  • results can be predicted
  • e.g. flight (or other) simulator, modelling hazardous chemical process

(e) Email

  • sending messages from one device to another using computer networks/Internet
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Achieng plays an online game on her laptop. List two ways she can reduce the risk of developing repetitive strain injury(RSI)

  • By use of an ergonomic keyboard
  • She should take regular breaks from her computer and stretch her joints
  • She should use standard furniture with an upright backrest to reduce strain on the back
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Give one difference between a compiled program and interpreted program

  • A compiled program will only execute on a processor of specific type/family/with same instruction set
  • A program run using an interpreter can execute on a computer with any type of processor;
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