Identify four different types of computer network.
State three features of a typical operating system
- (provides) user interface
– input/output control
– security
– handling interrupts
– spooling
– memory management
– processor management
– utilities (e.g. copy, save, delete, re-name, etc.)
– maintain user accounts
– load/run software
– error reporting/handling
– multiprogramming
– batch processing (JCL)/real time processing
– multitasking/multiuser/multi-access
– file management
Name three of the stages in the system life cycle
– fact finding
– feasibility study
– analysis
– design
– testing
– documentation
– implementation/changeover/installation
– evaluation
– maintenance
The following are software classified according to the end user licence agreement. Briefly describe each of them:
open source software, freeware, shareware, and proprietary software
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.
Ahmed uses the Internet for some time and is puzzled by the terminology.
(a) Draw a line to match each description to the appropriate technical term.
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
(b) Identifying the shortcomings of the old system
(c) Prepares the software migration plan
State advantages and disadvantages of the following system implementation strategies
Phased:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Pilot:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Direct:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Parallel:
Advantages:
State what is meant by each of the following modes of data processing
(i) Batch processing.
(ii) Real-time processing.
(iii) Online processing.
(iv) Off-line processing.
(i) Jobs collected together for processing at a later time
(ii) Output produced quickly enough to affect the next input
(iii) User has direct contact with the processor
(iv) User cannot communicate directly with the processor
State advantages and disadvantages of Solid State Drives and Hard Disk Drives
Advantages of of Hard Disk Drive
Disadvantages of Hard Disk Drives
Advantages of Solid State Drives
Disadvantages of SDD
Describe how the database can be recovered from a system failure
(iv) Identify the part of the CPU that sends signals to the other components.
Control unit
Describe two benefits of using USB connections between a computer and a device.
Distinguish between Incremental and Full backup
Incremental:
Full:
What situations are likely to call for the use of Direct Changed Over?
Explain how the techniques of
(i) verification,
(ii) validation
are used to ensure that the stored data is as accurate as possible.
Dual input of data
Rules are given to the processor
Drop-down list/radio buttons
KCSE 2016 COMPUTER STUDIES PAPER 1
State the function of each of the following keys on the computer keyboard : (2mks)
Backspace;
Insert
An organization intends to replace an existing system by carrying out the process in stages .
Name the implementation strategy ; (1mk)
Give two reasons why the organization is opting to use the implementation strategy in (a) above (2mks)
List four input devices used to capture data by way of scanning
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
Computer Studies KCSE 2006 Paper 1
SECTION A (40 MARKS)
1.What is meant by
a)Analogue data
b)Digital data (4 mks)
2. Distinguish between transcription and transposition types of errors and give an example of each (4mks)
3. a)What are peripheral devices? (1mk)
b)Give two examples of peripheral devices (1mk)
4a)What meant by the term user-friendly as used in software development? (1mk)
b)Distinguish between the terms single-tasking and multi-user as used in operating systems (2mks)
5.What actions should be taken in case of a fire outbreak in the computer laboratory? (4mks)
6a) What is an Internet Service Provider? (1mk)
b) An employee in a business company is charged with the responsibility of putting the company advertisements on the Internet.
i) State the professional title of the employee. (1mk)
ii) Give an example of software used by this employee to carry out the above task. (1mk)
7.Differentiate between COM ports and LPT ports (2mks)
8.Explain two ways in which ICT can enhance commerce. (2mks)
9. Explain the following software terms:
a) Portability (1 mk)
b) Modularity (1 mk)
10. a) State two application areas of desktop publishing software. (2mks)
b) Explain the following graphic terms:
i) Rotate (1 mk)
ii) Crop (1mk)
12. a)List two arithmetic operations that can be performed on a row of numeric data in a word processing table. (1 mk)
b) In each case of (a) above, write the expression used. (2mks)
13. List two methods of gathering information during the system development process (2mks)
14.Name three types of optical disks.(3mks)
15.The diagram below shows a formatted plate surface of a storage disk.
Shade and label:
a) one sector ( 1mk)
b) One block (1mk)
SECTION B (60 MKS)
Answer question 16 and any other three questions from this section in the space provided
16 a) List two examples of:
i) Third generation languages (2mks)
ii) Object oriented languages (2 mks)
b) Draw a flowchart to compare three non-equal numeric values A, B, C and prints the largest of the three. (11 mks)
17 a) One of the functions of an operating system is job scheduling. Explain what is meant by job scheduling. (1mk)
b)List and explain three types of user interfaces. (6 mks)
c)Describe the following categories of software:
i) Firmware (1mk)
ii) Proprietary software (1mk)
d) a new company XYZ intends to go into the business of desktop publishing. Advise the company on three computer hardware system specification features to consider as a measure of enhancing performance. (6 mks)
18. a) distinguish between the following sets of terms as used in spreadsheets. (2mks)
i)Worksheet and workbook
ii) Filtering and sorting
b) State one way in which a user may reverse the last action taken in a spreadsheet package. (1 mk)
c)The following is a sample of a payroll. The worksheet row and column headings are marked 1, 2, 3, . and A, B, C. respectively
Briefly describe the following
Multitasking - the capability of an operating system to enable users to run two or more programs at once on a single computer
Real time processing - data processing system in which the time interval required to process and respond to inputs is so small that the response itself is useful for controlling the physical activity of a process
Time-sharing processing - a processing mode in which the central processor serves two or more users with different processing requirements (tasks)
On-line processing - is that type of processing where the result of data processing transaction is available immediately
What is meant by RAID technology?
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology refers to a method of combining multiple physical disk drives into a logical unit to improve performance, data availability, and data redundancy. RAID technology is commonly used in storage systems to provide fault tolerance, data protection, and increased storage performance.
The primary purpose of RAID is to create a more reliable and robust storage solution by spreading data across multiple drives and implementing various data redundancy techniques. This helps to mitigate the risk of data loss and system downtime in case of drive failures.
There are different levels or configurations of RAID, each offering different features and trade-offs. The most commonly used RAID levels are:
RAID 0 (Striping): Data is split evenly across multiple drives, resulting in increased performance as data can be accessed from multiple drives simultaneously. However, there is no redundancy, so if one drive fails, data loss can occur.
RAID 1 (Mirroring): Data is duplicated or mirrored across two drives, providing redundancy. If one drive fails, the other drive can still function and serve the data. RAID 1 offers data protection but does not offer increased performance.
RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): Data and parity information are striped across multiple drives, providing both increased performance and fault tolerance. Parity information allows for the recovery of data in case of a single drive failure. RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drives.
RAID 10 (Combination of Mirroring and Striping): RAID 10 combines elements of RAID 1 and RAID 0. It involves mirroring data across two sets of drives and then striping the mirrored sets for increased performance and fault tolerance. RAID 10 provides high levels of data redundancy and performance but requires a minimum of four drives.