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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

Your friend wishes to install a wireless network in his office. Explain to him the difference between guided and unguided media

  • Guided media uses cables to connect to computers whereas unguided media uses waves.
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State two advantages and one disadvantage of having a network of computers, rather than a series of stand-alone machines, in a school classroom.

Advantages

  • Sharing of software and data files
  • Sharing of hardware, e.g. printers
  • Communication

Disadvantages

  • Security of files is more of a problem
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What is a Uniform Resource Locator?

  • It is an address to a resource on the internet
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What is entity integrity?

  • It ensures that each row has a unique and non-null primary key
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The introduction of a new system involves evaluation and maintenance once the system is
implemented.
Describe the evaluation and maintenance stage of the systems development life cycle (SDLC)
and provide one example of an activity undertaken in this stage.

  • Continually monitoring, evaluating and updating the system once it is operational. Activities include rectifying bugs, requesting changes, updating aspects, finding errors, maintaining code etc.
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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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Differentiate between uploading and downloading a file

Uploading a file  refers to the process of transferring a file from a local computer to a remote webserver while downloading a file refers to the process of transferring or copying a file from a remote webserver to a local machine

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List two types of disaster recovery tools.

  • online storage
  • incremental backup
  • full backup
  • RAID (level 0, 1, 10)
  • uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
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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

  • Two inputs are compared by the system and any discrepancies are reported (and not stored.)
  • Data input once, either printed out or checked on the screen and  errors corrected

 Rules are given to the processor

  • Only accept A, B, C, D, E, F, G i.e Any other input rejected.

Drop-down list/radio buttons

  • Provides only valid inputs, so no other validation is required
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Explain the difference between how the IMAP (Internet message access protocol) and SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol) protocols are used

IMAP

  • Retrieves/accesses/downloads (a copy of an) e-mail
  • Allows synchronisation/management of account

SMTP:

  • Sends/forwards/transmits e-mai
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There are many different types of errors that can occur when developing computer programs. (a) State the name of the two different types of programming error described below.

(i) Unexpectedly halts the program.

(ii) The program produces the wrong output. 
 (b) Another error can result from incorrectly using the rules or grammar of the programming language.

(i) Name this error. 

(ii) State when this error is detected.

 

(i) Unexpectedly halts the program. Run time (execution)

(ii) The program produces the wrong output.  Logical
 (b) Another error can result from incorrectly using the rules or grammar of the programming language.

(i) Name this error. Syntax

(ii) State when this error is detected.

Syntax error is detected during translation into executable code / attempted to run but fails

What is utility software?

  • System software that analyses, configures, optimises and maintains a computer system
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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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State three different methods that allow people to communicate using the Internet. In each case, give a different benefit for the stated method.

emails: fast delivery of messages (to recipient’s mail box)
able to send attachments
can store messages for later use
auto-translation no language problems
can open email at a convenient time
video conferencing/calling/chat:
removes need to travel (saves time and money)
allows face to face discussions
works in real time (only allow once)
VoIP: much cheaper than normal international calls
direct communication between people
works in real time (only allow once)
chat rooms/instant messaging:
instantaneous reply
anyone can join in
social networking:
can ensure only your “friends” are in communication
usually free to join and use
talk to (multiple) friends at the same time

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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

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COMPUTER STUDIES

PAPER 1

(THEORY)

OCT./NOV. 2005

2 ½ HOURS

SECTION A (40 MKS)

Answer all the questions in this section.

1. a) What is disk formatting?                                                        (1mk)

b) Indicate whether the following devices are used for input or output  (2mks)

i) Plotter

ii)Light pen

iii)Mouse

iv)Visual display unit

2.a)Explain why the following and give one reason why they are not allowed in a computer laboratory. (2mks)

b) For each of the following give one reason why they are not allowed in a computer laboratory.  (2mks)

i) Smoking

ii)Eating foods

3.Distinguish between Real, integer and Character data types as used in programming (3 mks)

4.The cells k3 to K10 of a worksheet contain remarks on student’s performance such as very good, good, fair and fail depending on the average mark.  Write a formula that can be used to count all students who have the remark “very good”      (3mks)

5.a) State the purpose of registers in a computer system               (1mk)

b)Name two multiprogramming operating systems                   (2 mks)

6.a) A series file comprises of records placed in positions 1 to 10.  State the position of the end of file marker.      (1mk)

  b)State the purpose of each of the following: (2mks)

 i)File server software

ii)Communication software

7.a) Name the control structure depicted by the flowchart below.                   (1 mk)

          

b)Explain the following terms as used in program implementation.      (2mks)

 i)Parallel running

 ii)Direct change over

8. Consider the linear arrays:

 i) AAA (5:50)

 ii)BBB (-5:10)

 iii)CC (18)

Find the number of elements in each array (3mks)

9.Define the term artificial intelligence  (2 mks)

10.Name two types of relationships that can be applied in database design  (2mks)

11.Explain binary Coded Decimal code of data representation (1 mk)

 a)Indenting

 b)Alignment

 c)Word wrap

12.Outline two ways in which a computer can be used in hotels               (2 Marks)

13.a)Explain Binary Coded Decimal code of data representation (1marks)

 b)Write the number 4110 in BCD notation (1 mk)

14.Arrange the following data units in ascending order of size.

   BYTE, FILE, BIT, NIBBlE     (2mks)

15.State two health issues that may result from prolonged use of computers     (2 mks)

SECTION B (60 MARKS)

16. a) State the stage of program development in which  (4 mk)

i) A flowchart would be drawn

 ii)The programmer would check whether the program does as required

 iii)The user guide would be written

iv)The requirements specifications would be written.

b)State the output of the following flow chart segment                  (1mk)

c) i)Draw a flowchart to compute the combined resistance ® of two resistors R1 and R2 in parallel using the formula;

                      (5mks)

ii)Write a program using Pascal or C languages for the flowchart in C (i) above. (5 ½ mks)

17. a)List three paragraph formatting activities in word processing  (3mks)

 b)Differentiate between bolding and highlighting text (2mks)

c) The following information shows the income and expenditure for “bebayote “ matatu for five days.  The income from Monday to Friday was Kshs. 4,000, 9,000, 10, 000, 15,000 and 12,000 respectively while the expenditure for the same period was Kshs.  2,000, 3,000, 7,000, 5,000 and 6,000 respectively

i)Draw a spreadsheet that would contain the information.  Indicate the rows as 1, 2, 3 …. And the columns as a, B, C    (4mks)

ii)State the expression that would be used to obtain:

 I Monday’s profit  (2mks)

 II Total income (2mks)

III)Highest expenditure (2mks)

18.a) Subtract 0112  from 10012 (1mk)

 b)Using two’s compliment, subtract 7 from 4 and give the answer in decimal notation (4mks)

c) Convert

i) 91B16  to octal    (3mks)

ii) 3768   to hexadecimal   (3mks)

iii) 9.62510 to binary  (4 mks)

19.a) Explain what the following DOS commands will do when executed.

    i)  A: \copy *.* B:    (2 mks)

   ii)   C: \> ERASE*. DOC   (2mks)

  iii)   b: \> Md EXAMS  (2mks)

 b)  i)  With the aid of a diagram, explain hierarchical (tree) network topology   (3mks)

  ii)List two advantages and two disadvantage of hierarchical network topology.  (4 mks)

   Advantages:-

   Disadvantages:

20. a)Name and explain the function of the keyboard keys represented by the following symbols.

 

      

 

 

  b) Simulation is one of the application areas of computers        

  i) What is meant by the term simulation      (1mk)

  ii)Name two application areas of simulation   (2 mks)

 iii) State three advantages of computer based simulation (3 mks)

 c) Explain three ways in which computers have impacted education (3mks)

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The data before encryption is known as .................................................. text.
To scramble the data, an encryption .................................................., which is a type
of .................................................., is used.
The data after encryption is known as .................................................. text.
Encryption prevents the data from being .................................................. by a hacker

The data before encryption is known as .......plain.................. text.
To scramble the data, an encryption ......................key.........................., which is a type
of ...................key............................, is used.
The data after encryption is known as ....................cipher............................. text.
Encryption prevents the data from being ......................understood...................... by a hacker

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What is a source code as used in computer programming?

  • It is a program written in a high level langauage
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State the type of software that is needed for logging onto the Internet and finding websites selling goods and services.

  1. logging on
  2. finding websites

logging on

  •  dial-up/communications software/ISPsoftware

finding websites

  •  browser/search engine
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What is a primary key?

  • an attribute/combination of attributes chosen to ensure that the records in a table are unique
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