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.
Differentiate between a compiled and an interpreted program
Computer programs require translation to execute. (a) Compilers and interpreters translate high-level programming languages into machine code. Describe the main differences between a compiler and an interpreter.
State three documents that are used during mail merging in word processing
One characteristic of a robot is its mechanical structure.
State two other characteristics of a robot
IT technicians are setting up a new file server for a school. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using a command line interface (CLI) rather than a graphical user interface (GUI) to set up a new file server. (4marks)
Benefits
Drawbacks
Describe a typical situation that requires the use of:
(i) a high-level language
(ii) a low-level language.
High level languages are used in situations when:
Low level languages are used in situations when:
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, with examples where appropriate, the following five computer terms.
(a) Buffer
(b)batch processing
(c) e-commerce
(d) simulation
(a) Buffer
(b)batch processing
(c) e-commerce
(d) simulation
(e) Email
Give two other uses of hexadecimal in computer science.
Define the following terms as used in the internet
HTTPS/HTTP: this is a protocol that is used to send data to web pages across the Internet
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): a text-based version of a web address
Internet Service provider /ISP - his is the company that provides a user with a connection to the Internet
browser - Software/application that allows users to view web pages / render HTML -
cookie - a text file (stored by a web browser) that contains data about a user’s browsing habits/details/preferences
Distinguish between a formula and a function as used in spreadsheets
Compare the use of a compiler with the use of an interpreter to translate code
Both translate source code written in high level programming languages into machine code.
Compiler: Produces a single executable file that is portable between machines
Interpreter: Source code needs a special environment to run
Compiler: Needs to be compiled for a particular architecture
Interpreter: Can run on any architecture that has the translator/interpreter
Complier: Entire source code file is translated at once
Interpreter: Code is translated line by line
Compiler: Provides error report at the end of the compilation
Interpreter: Errors more obvious in the sequence
Compiler: The program source code is not available (so helps protect IP)
Interpreter: Source code is available
Compiler: Only has to be translated once (affecting the speed of execution)
Interpreter: Has to be translated each time, therefore (affecting the speed of execution)
Compiler: Requires two files to be maintained (one for execution and for editing purposes)
Interpreter: Requires only one file to be maintained
Give two benefits for the supermarket manager of using point of sale (POS) terminals.
Distinguish between microwave and a radiowave transmission and a microwave transmission (KCSE 2017 PP1)
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.
Why is 2's complement preferred over 1's complement?
State three ways of transforming a picture embedded in a DTP program in order to fit on a designated space on a document (kcse 2019 paper 1)
Describe overtype and insert modes as used in word processors