Describe what is meant by a clock speed of 3.8 GHz.
Suggest two advantages of using robots, instead of humans, to build cars in the factory.
A company has decided to use a computer for stock control. Describe the process of systems development from the time the decision was made to proceed with computerisation until final testing.
specify output requirements
design documents/screen displays
data for input/storage
form design
storage devices
file structures/access/design
data security/back up files
systems flowchart etc.
implementation i.e. pilot/intermediate/parallel running
testing strategy
training
hardware/software
programming/algorithms
validation
user manual
technical documentation
entering data into system
State the functions of the following registers
Program counter // PC
• Stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched
Memory address register // MAR
• Stores the address where data/instruction is to be read from or saved to
Memory data register // MDR
• Stores data that is about to be written to memory // Stores data that has just been read from memory
Current instruction register // CIR
• Stores the instruction that is currently being decoded/executed
A supermarket uses point of sale (POS) terminals at the checkout for scanning barcodes on the products.
(a) State two items of data that are stored on the barcode.
(b) Describe how the computer system checks that the barcode has been read correctly.
(c) State the type of file access that is used to get the price from the central computer.
(d) Explain how the system updates the file when an item has been sold.
(a) State two items of data that are stored on the barcode.
(b) Describe how the computer system checks that the barcode has been read correctly.
(c) State the type of file access that is used to get the price from the central computer.
(d) Explain how the system updates the file when an item has been sold.
Outline three ways through which ICT can used in marketing
ICT is used to create e-commerce platforms that have made business transactions easier and convenient by allowing customers make purchases and payments from anywhere at any time
ICT is used by marketing agents to create exciting multimedia presentations concerning products or services and present them to the target customers using presentation software such MS PowerPoint
Using multimedia, presentation and animation software, it is possible to design attractive advert materials and video clips to display on billboards, broadcast over a television or uploaded on the internet
Explain the following terms
(a) Disk mirroring
(b) Encryption
(c) Backup
(a) Disk mirroring- Data is written on two or more disks simultaneously.
(b) Encryption - Contents are scrambled so they cannot be understood without a decryption key
(c) Backup - A copy of the data is taken and stored in another location
During data entry, Anne typed the letter S instead of 5. What type of error is this? (1mark)
Misreading error
Explain why it is not always true that a computer which has a quad-core processor runs twice as fast as a computer with a dual-core processor
(ii) State what ROM and RAM store.
ROM stores BIOS / bootstrap / start-up
RAM stores currently executing programs and data
Explain one drawback to a user if the program is distributed as freeware
The user is not allowed to access the source code so, they cannot tailor the software to their needs and they cannot fix any bugs in it
The software is still covered by copyright
The user must get the owner’s permission to do anything beyond using it
What is entity integrity?
Distinguish between a formula and a function as used in spreadsheets
Explain the difference between the sequential and parallel computational models.
Any four of:
Sequential:
• Individual instructions are executed one after another
• Flow control is accomplished by jump/branch/goto instructions
• Results are usually achieved less quickly than parallel processing (do
not award twice)
Parallel:
• Individual instructions can be routed to different processors for
simultaneous execution
• Results are usually achieved quicker than sequential instruction (do not
award twice)
• Requires multi-core processors or multiple microprocessors
• Tasks may be split into different parts with each part executed on a
different processor
• Results need to be merged back together after completion
Complete the data dictionary below for the Student entity.
Suggest one disadvantage to the programmer of using a high-level language instead of a low-level language.
Describe the principles of operation of laser printers and describe how they are applied in real-life scenarios
Steps
State five functions of network operating system
Explain one reason why a computer needs to be connected to a stable power source
System Stability: Computers require a consistent and stable power supply to function properly. Fluctuations or interruptions in the power source can cause various issues that can disrupt the computer's operation or lead to hardware damage.
a. Data Loss: Sudden power outages or voltage fluctuations can cause the computer to shut down abruptly, resulting in data loss if unsaved work is not properly stored. This can be particularly problematic when working on critical tasks or handling important files.
b. Hardware Damage: Power surges or inconsistent power supply can damage the computer's internal components, including the motherboard, CPU, memory, and storage devices. These damages can result in system instability, reduced performance, or even complete hardware failure.
c. Operating System Corruption: Abrupt power loss or inconsistent power supply can corrupt the operating system files, leading to system crashes, error messages, and instability. This may require system repairs or reinstallation of the operating system.
d. Component Lifespan: Inconsistent power supply can put unnecessary stress on computer components, shortening their lifespan. Frequent power fluctuations or surges can cause wear and tear on various parts, reducing their efficiency and overall longevity.