admin@kcseforecast.com

Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

A sound engineer is recording a singer. Describe why the sound must be converted to a digital format before it can be stored on a computer system

  • Computer systems use binary/ones and zeros/voltage on or off;
  • Sound is analogue/continuous;
  • Computers use digital data/discrete values
Question Image

List four ways of acquiring software in an organization

  1. Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software: Organizations can purchase pre-developed software solutions from commercial vendors. These software products are typically ready-made and designed to fulfill common business needs. Examples include productivity software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and accounting software. COTS software can be licensed based on a one-time purchase or a subscription model.

  2. Custom software development: Organizations may choose to develop custom software tailored to their specific requirements. This involves hiring software developers or outsourcing the development work to a third-party vendor. Custom software offers flexibility and can be designed to align with unique business processes and workflows. It allows organizations to have full control over the software's features and functionality.

  3. Open-source software: Open-source software is developed collaboratively and made freely available to the public. Organizations can acquire open-source software without incurring licensing costs. They have the right to use, modify, and distribute the software as per the terms of the open-source license. Open-source software can be an economical option, and it allows organizations to benefit from community-driven development and ongoing improvements.

  4. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS refers to software applications that are accessed and used over the internet. Organizations can acquire software on a subscription basis, where the software is hosted and maintained by the vendor. Users access the software through web browsers or dedicated client applications. SaaS eliminates the need for local software installation and offers scalability and accessibility from any location with an internet connection.

Question Image

Describe the main characteristics that distinguish high-level programming languages from low-level languages.

  1. Low level languages do not resemble natural languages they are made up entirely of bit patterns
  2. Low level languages produce code that is executed faster as it is already in a format the CPU can execute / does not need to be translated.
  3. High level languages are easier to understand / learn as commands are more like English / identifiers can be meaningful .
  4. High level languages are easier to use leading to fewer errors.

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

Question Image
  1. (a)State the meaning of the term disk defragmentation as used in computers  (1mk)
  • The process of rewriting parts of a file to contiguous sectors on a disk
Question Image
What are computer networks?
A set of connected computers and other devices which share resources such as software, internet connection,printers etc
Question Image

State the functions of the following protocols

POP -Stands for post office protocol

  • used to download emails from email servers

SMTP- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

  • used to send emails to email servers and transfer emails between servers

FTP - Stands for the file transfer protocol

  • handles file uploads and downloads
  • transfers data and programs and not viewable content

 

State the functions of the following protocols

POP -Stands for post office protocol

  • used to download emails from email servers

SMTP- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

  • used to send emails to email servers and transfer emails between servers

FTP - Stands for the file transfer protoc

Question Image

Mikal has been employed as a computer trainer in an organisation. State three roles that she is likely to play in the organisation

  • Developing training materials
  • Training computer users
  • Conducting ICT examinations
  • Managing the learning and examination process
  • Developing guidelines for using the computer lab
  • Planning the course content
  •  
Question Image

Explain the term website as used in the internet

  • A collection of related webpages under the same domain name
Question Image

Define Data Security

  • Is the protection of programs and data in computers and communications systems against unauthorized modification, access or disclosure
  •  
Question Image

(b) The computer needs an operating system and utility software.

(i) The operating system controls the scheduling of processes.

Describe how the operating system uses scheduling to allocate processor time.

 

  • All processes are held in a queue 
  • Processes are prioritised 
  • Processes are switched On each clock cycle
Question Image

(ii) State what ROM and RAM store.

 

ROM stores BIOS / bootstrap / start-up 

RAM stores currently executing programs and data

Question Image

Differentiate between bus topology and star topology of networks. What are the advantages and disadvantages of star topology over bus topology

  • Bus topology is characterised by common transmission media shared by all the connected nodes
  • Star topology is characterised by a central switching node connected directly to each of the multiple nodes in the network

Advantages of Star topology over Bus topology

  • Faster communication as compared to bus topology
  • Independent line of connection allows freedom of removing or adding nodes

Disadvantages of Star topology over Bus topology

  • Expensive as compared to the bus topology
  • Long cable length
Question Image

Why must operating system be installed in a computer before any other program

  1. Operating system manages the computer hardware thus without it the programs cannot communicate directly to the hardware
  2. Provide a user interface through which a user can give instructions to the computer. Without a user interface, it would be difficult to load or run programs
  3. other programs depend on the operating system to load them into the memory , allocate resources and schedule processor time, Without operating , there would be nothing to co-ordinate the execution of multiples programs
  4. The OS organizes data in files and directories, making it possible for programs to save, retrieve, and modify data.
  5. Without it, programs wouldn’t know where or how to store data.
  6. The OS controls access to files, memory, and devices, ensuring that one program doesn’t interfere with another.


Question Image

A computer game involves driving a racing car around a track. State which two modes of data processing  would be appropriate, justifying your answers

  • Real time  E.g. turning the wheel must turn the car immediately
  • On line - Otherwise system cannot be real time
Question Image

(a)Explain why programmers prefer to represent instruction in hexadecimal rather than in binary

  • A larger number of values can be represented using fewer characters.
  • the shorter length and more characters make the pattern easier to read and understand
  • recognisable character codes can be used for debugging

(b) Give two other uses of hexadecimal

  • HMTL color codes representing RGB spectrum in the web development
  • representation of MAC and IP addresses allowing a larger combination of unique addresses

(a)Explain why programmers prefer to represent instruction in hexadecimal rather than in binary

  • A larger number of values can be represented using fewer characters.
  • the shorter length and more characters make the pattern easier to read and understand
  • recognisable character codes can be used for debugging

(b) Give two other uses of hexadecimal

  • HMTL color codes representing RGB spectrum in the web development
  • representation of MAC and IP addresses allowing a larger combination of unique addresses
Question Image

Compare and contrast CLI and GUI

CLI

  • Commands have to be typed in full with no mistakes
  • Requires memorization of commands
  • Uses less memory

GUI

  • Due to graphics, GUI uses a lot of memory
  • GUI is more user friendly
  • Cannot operate properly if memory is low

Comparison

  • Both carry out file management
  • Both are operating systems
  • Both control software and hardware
Question Image

Maranda 2024 Mock CRE Paper 2

1. a) Based on Deutro-Isaiah, describe the Messiah. (7mks)

The Messiah would be despised/ rejected

The Messiah would be treated harshly/ arrested/sentenced to death

The Messiah would be reconciling people through His suffering

The death of the Messiah would bring forgiveness of sins of humankind

The Messiah would endure suffering/humiliation without complaining/ would suffer innocently

The Messiah would have nothing attractive

The Messiah would be humble/simple

The Messiah would be highly honored

The Messiah would succeed in His work

He would be despised, rejected, wounded oppressed and afflicted 

He endured pain and suffering which would have been ours. 

Because of our sins he was wounded 

We are healed by the punishment he suffered He was treated harshly but he never said a word 

He was put in the grave with the wicked 

He was buried with the rich even though he did not commit a crime 

He took the place of many sinners and prayed that they might be forgiven.

 

Question Image

Explain what is meant by the two terms download speed and upload speed

download speed :
– speed at which information/data is transferred FROM server/Internet
– speed at which information/data is transferred TO the user’s computer
upload speed :
– speed at which information/data is transferred FROM user’s computer
– speed at which information/data is transferred TO the Internet/server

Question Image

Give two characteristics of each of the system development methodologies listed below.

(a) Linear/Cascade/Waterfall

(b) Iterative Methodology

(a) Linear/Cascade/Waterfall

  • a project is divided into stages or phases
  • it is sequential, each stage needs to be completed before moving on
  • clear goals are set for each stage

(b) Iterative Methodology

  • effective in producing a working prototype in a short period of time
  •  involves extensive user input and testing
  • based on build – test – evaluate process, the philosophy is re-build until users are completely satisfied
  • features user input throughout the process which enables ongoing, responsive changes to be made to the design.
Question Image