Distinguish between a file and a folder
A file is a collection of related data given a unique name while a folder is named storage location on a storage media that contains related files
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
Distinguish between real time processing and interactive processing
Describe four features of the operating system when providing a graphical user interface on a personal computer. Give a suitable example of each feature.
Windows for example a word processing application and a spreadsheet
Menus, for example, allow the user to perform operations or run applications such as right-click to create a new folder
Icons for example a picture of linked computers for networking
Pointers(mouse or touchscreen) for example to select items/trigger events
Shortcuts for example to frequently used applications for example having a shortcut to your mail client on your desktop
File navigation for example when searching the hard disc for a file/folder using a browser
copying / deleting / moving/sorting/naming/searching of files or folders for example copying of a file from the hard drive to a USB pen drive (File handling)
Desktop customisation for example changing the colours and background image
Copy and paste for example between applications e.g. copying a graph from a spreadsheet to a word processor
Error messages for example provide users with error/warning/help messages for example ‘printer out of paper’
Name three of the stages in the system life cycle
– fact finding
– feasibility study
– analysis
– design
– testing
– documentation
– implementation/changeover/installation
– evaluation
– maintenance
Why is 2's complement preferred over 1's complement?
State four data types used in MS Excel
Distinguish between Incremental and Full backup
Incremental:
Full:
Identify the protocol used to transfer data in networks.
KCSE 2003 COMPUTER STUDIES
SECTION A (40 MARKS)
Answer all the questions in this section
1.Computer systems are built from three types of physical components: processors,memories and 1/O devices.
a) State two tasks of a processor (2 mks)
b)State function of 1/O devices (1 mk)
2. Threats to the safety of computer systems take many forms such as: white-collar crime, natural disasters, vandalism and carelessness.Give on way as to how each of these forms of threats can be controlled. 2 mks)
3.a) Explain the term nibbles as used in data representation in computers
b)Perform the following binary arithmetic giving the answers in decimal notation. (3 mks)
i)1110.01111 + 11010001 .011
ii) 1001011.011 - 111.111
4 a) Distinguish between machine and assembly language (2mks)
b) State the type of translator necessary for a program written in: (2mks)
i) High level language
ii)Assembly language
5. Briefly explain the purpose of the following types of program documentation: (3mks)
a) User manual
b) Reference guide
c) Quick reference guide
6. State any two features of a user-friendly program. (2mks)
7 a) Distinguish between labels and formulae with respect to spreadsheets (2mks)
b) Consider the entries in the cells below.
|
Cell |
B2 |
B3 |
C10 |
C11 |
C13 |
|
Entry |
200 |
100 |
B2 |
B3 |
C10 |
State the value displayed in cell C13 (2 mks)
8.List three differences between wide area Networks (WAN) and Local Area Networks (LAN) (3mks)
9. Study the flowchart segment below and state the last value printed from the flowchart. (2 mks)
10. a) What is an expert system (1mk)
b)State any two components of an expert system (2mks)
11. give two reasons why optical disks are better storage media compared to floppy diskettes (2mks)
12.What are the Dos commands used for the following? (2mks)
a) Changing directories
b) Viewing directories
c) Renaming directories
d) Deleting a directory
13. Distinguish between copying and moving text (2mks)
14. a) Name two methods of paper orientation (1mk)
b)Name two keys used to delete text in a document (1 mk)
15.Name two features a Database package (2mks)
SECTION B (60 MKS)
Answer question and any other three questions from this section
16. Study the flowchart below and answer the questions that follow.
a)Write a high-level language program for the above flowchart (7mks)
b)List the outputs of the flowchart above (5 mks)
c) Modify the flowchart so that it adds up all its outputs and displays the sum obtained (3mks)
17. A computer specification has the following details:
a) What is meant by
i) 1.44 MB floppy disk drive?
ii)20 GB hard disk?
iii) 17” SVGA monitor
b) Which operating system might be pre-installed in this computer and why? (2mks)
c) List three multimedia components (3 mks)
d) i) what is meant by computer aided manufacture? (2 mks)
ii) Give two examples of computer aided design software. (2mks)
18. a)Give three examples of network software (3mks)
b)List any three items that may be referred to as data terminal equipment in a network (3 mks)
c)Briefly explain the following terms as used in networking (4mks)
i) Remote communication
ii)Distributed processing
d) State three advantages and two disadvantages of mesh network topology. (5mks)
19. a) a company has decided to computerize their operations. They have decided to purchase package instead of developing their own programs. Give three advantages and two disadvantages of this approach. 5mks)
b) i) explain why a value such as 611233444555 may be displayed as ######### When typed in a cell of a spreadsheet (2mks)
ii) How can the problem in b (i) above be corrected? (2mks)
c) With reasons, briefly describe the most appropriate type of printer output device for the output of: (6mks)
i) Customer invoices on multi-part stationery
ii) Letters to customers
iii)Detailed engineering designs
20. a) Distinguish between the following pair of terms (6mks)
i) Data verification and data validation
ii)Data encryption and passwords
A computer laboratory experiences power supply problems. Describe three power related problems that should be addressed
Blackout: This is unexpected discontinuation of power supply in the laboratory.
Power sag: Sudden drop of voltage levels that lasts less than a second.
Transients/ surge: High voltage flowing.
Brownout: Partial blackout where there's low voltage flow.
State two advantages of electronic databases over a flat file
Give one advantage using a star network rather than a ring network.
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
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
Disadvantages
Explain two ways in which an interpreter and a compiler are different.
State one ethical responsibility of software users
Describe the query criteria given below
(a) Like "*kenya*"
(b) Like "*ina"
(c) Like U*
(d) Not Like U*
(e) >= "Mexico"
(f) Like "[A-D]*"
(g) "USA" Or "UK"
Name one item used in the home, other than a computer, that contains a microprocessor.
State advantages of batch processing