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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

List Three file organisation methods in a computer

  • Sequential
  • Random
  • Serial
  • Indexed-sequential
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802.3 is the standard for ethernet wired networks and 802.11x is the standard for ethernet
wireless networks.
Outline why standards such as these are important in the development of network devices and
software.

  • Standards specify a set of rules for hardware and/or software used in network communications. Because all manufacturers must adhere to the standards when manufacturing network hardware or software, it means that all devices should be able to communicate, regardless of manufacturer.
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What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a program designed to damage other programs or causes irregular behaviour in a computer system.

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State the functions of the following utility programs

(a) Defragmentation software

(b) Disk contents analysis/repair software

(c) Disk formatter

(a) Defragmentation software   -   Reorganises files on a disk to improve efficiency

(b) Disk contents analysis/repair software - Scans a hard disk to identify bad sectors

(c) Disk formatter -  Prepares a hard disk for first use

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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)

  • Resizing using resize handles
  • Rotating
  • Cropping
  • Flipping
  • Moving
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State ways in which an OS secures a computer system

  • Access Controls: Authentication of users in order to access files
  • Performing regular patches of updates
  • creating secure accounts with required privileges
  • scrutinizes all incoming and outgoing packets of data through a firewall
  • encryption of data, during transmission
  • Log files to detect any breach
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Name one item used in the home, other than a computer, that contains a microprocessor.

  • camera
  • microwave
  • washing machine
  • video recorder
  • fridge
  • sewing machine
  • air conditioning
  • games console
  • electronic game electronic toys
  • rice cooker
  • dish washer
  • TV
  • alarm clock
  • radio
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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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Describe the role of the registers and system clock within the fetch-execute cycle.

  • Registers are small amounts of memory available that hold data fetched from memory or data waiting to be stored in memory. A temporary holding place for the instruction that has been fetched.
  • The system clock purpose is to determine the pace of the cycle, each tick of the clock a part of the fetch-execute cycle occurs. Regulates the timing and speed of a computers systems functions.
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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

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A school opted to use direct changeover approach when installing a new system. Explain three challenges that the school may face as a result of this approach (KCSE 2019)

  • The users may not have gained enough confidence to run the new system
  • It may be very inconveniencing in case the new system fails or faces problems
  • The weaknesses of the old system may not be corrected or may still be transferred to the new system
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Give two different scenarios when a fast broadband connection is essential.

– when transferring large files/attachments with emails
– when streaming music/video files/bit streaming
– when using VoIP/video conferencing
– software updates
– online transactions
– Using VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)

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Describe the function of the Cache memory

  • (Cache) Stores regularly accessed instructions/data
  • Reduces the need to access instructions/data from the main memory
  •  Makes up for the difference in speed of the CPU and main memory
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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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Explain the function of the protect sheet feature in the spreadsheet program

  • It is a feature used to prevent unwanted changes to be made on the data contained in a sheet by limiting the ability to make changes
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KCSE 2016 COMPUTER STUDIES PAPER 1

A manager wishes to replace the current manual system with a computerized one. Describe three areas that must be evaluated to justify the replacement  (6 marks)

  • Technical feasibility
  • Does the current technology suffice
  • Economic feasibility
  • Benefits outweigh costs/ whether the project is cost effective
  • Schedule feasibility
  • Can it be done within the schedule

Headache, back and neck pain may result from the use of computers. State how each of them can be minimized (2mks)

  • Proper lighting
  • Regular breaks
  • Use of antiglare
  • Correct position of the screen
  • Ergonomic furniture

Students of a school intended to elect their school Captain by secret ballot.  State three ways in which computers can be used to improve the election process                           (3mks)

  • Registrations of voters
  • Voter identification
  • Actual voting
  • Tallying
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Give two advantages of using broadband rather than dial-up

  • an use Internet connection and telephone at the same time
  • much faster data transfer speed
  • always “on”
  • charged for number of bytes/flat rate per month rather than actual time on line
  • more bandwidth
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Define the following modes of electronic data processing:

  1. Multitasking
  2. Real time processing
  3. Timesharing
  4. Online Processing

Multi-tasking - It is a data processing modes where a single CPU processing more than one task or program apparently at the same time

Time-sharing - a processing mode where a single CPU processes tasks from more than one user apparently at the same time

Time-sharing - this is a processing mode in which the CPU serves two or more users with different processing requirements ( tasks)

On-line processing - is a mode of processing where the result of data processing transaction is available immediately

Real-time processing - is a mode of data processing 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

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A protocol is used to securely transmit the data for the website to the browser.
(i) State the name of this protocol.

(ii) Identify how this protocol changes the data to transmit the data securely.
 

(i) State the name of this protocol.   HTTPS 

(ii) Identify how this protocol changes the data to transmit the data securely.

  • It encrypts it
  • It applies encryption algorithm
  • It applies an encryption key
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There are four change-over methods used in the implementation stage of the system development life cycle (SDLC): direct change-over, phased, parallel and pilot.

Direct Change-Over

  • A date is chosen for the shutdown of the old system, then at that time, the old system
    is turned off and the new system is implemented

Phased

  • Parts of the new system are implemented in stages or for a period of time, both the old and the new system are running together until all parts of the system are implemented.
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