• 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.

(a) byte

• fixed number of bits, 8 bits
• represents a character

(b) compiler  program

• converts/changes/translates high-level language into machine code/machine language/low-level language/object code
• changes each high-level language instruction into machine code instructions
• produces an independent program capable of being executed by itself
• all (syntax errors) listed
• converts the whole program before execution/in one go
• converts source code to object code

(c) handshaking

• exchanging of signals to establish communication between two devices/computers e.g. printer and computer, modem and computer

(d) technical documentation

• documentation to ensure that the system can be maintained/updated/altered/developed/upgraded
• trouble shooting/correcting errors/correcting faults
• explanation of what the program does/how the system works
• contains file structures
• algorithms/flow charts/pseudo code
• program listings
• hierarchical chart

(e) simulation

• studying the behavior of a system by using a model/represents real-life/mathematical representation
  e.g. flight simulator (or others), hazardous applications results can be predicted

• Overtype mode: deletes the current text at the cursor position and replaces the existing characters with new text
• Insert Mode: pushes the existing text away as new text is inserted between the existing text

• All the characters and symbols that can be represented by a computer system.
• Each character and symbol is assigned a unique value.

(b) One disadvantage of using the Unicode character set, instead of the ASCII character set, is

that the text stored takes up more storage space

• Each character is encoded using more bits

A formatting or editing operation that is applied to a block of text after selecting. The block of text can be a paragraph, line, word, page or the whole document. It is much easier to apply editing or formatting to a block of text than to apply it to every single character

• Security
• Installation cost
• bandwidth the medium can support
• Flexibility e.g wireless media
• Distance

Twisted pair cables

Coaxial cables

Fibre optic cables

SECTION A (40 MARKS)

1.Describe the purpose of each of the following computer functional units:    (2mks)

    a) Control

    b) Storage

2.Explain how each of the following would affect the suitability of a room for use as a computer room: (2mks)

a) Burglar proofed door

b)Availability of taps and sinks in the room

3.State three data representation codes used in computers       (3mks)

4.State two types of documentation in program development and give the purpose of each.     (4mks)

5.Suppose a 5 element array A contains the values 9, 12, 17, 7 and 20.  Find the value in A after executing the loop below:

            Repeat for k = 1 to 4

            Set A [k +1]: = A [k]

                        [End of loop]            (3mks)

6.State any three activities that occur in a program compilation process  (3mks)

7.The formula = k20 + P$ 18 was typed in cell L21 and then copied to cell M24 of a spreadsheet. Write the formula as it appears in cell M24.(2mks)

8.State two ways in which a computer may be used in the efficient running of a hospital (2mks)

9.List three disadvantages of using the traditional file management method          (3mks)

10.Give one disadvantage of a single processor multi-user system    (1mk)

11. List three differences between a micro-computer and a super-computer.         (3mks)

12.State and explain two reasons why word processing is one of the most common applications of many computer users.   (2mks)

13. write- 1 in twos complement notation in byte form                                        (4mks)

14.Explain the following input/output terms as used in computer systems. Give an example for each        (4mks)

  a) Read

  b) Write

15.State two disadvantages of networking.

SECTION B (60 MKS)

Answer question 16 and any other three questions from this section.

16.The following flowchart can be used to list the odd numbers between 0 and 100

a)Write a program segment for the flowchart using a high level language.  (7mks)

b)What would be the output from the flowchart if the statement in the decision box is changed to:  (3 mks)

i)          Odd = 100

ii)         Odd< 100

iii)        Odd> 100

c)  Modify the flowchart so that it prints only the sum of the odd number between 0 and 100  (5mks)

17.a)  List five precautions that can be taken to protect data stored in diskettes   (5mks)

b)State and explain two precautions that can be taken to help recover data lost through accidental erasure. (4mks)

   c) Describe each of the following data processing methods:    (6mks)

   i) Batch processing

   ii) Distributed processing

   iii) Multiprogramming

18. a)  i)  What is a computer keyboard?      (1 mk)

           ii)  ist four types of keys found on a computer keyboard.  Give an example of each(4mks)

     b) Give four differences between present day’s computers and the older generation of computers   (4mks)

     c)   i) State three advantages and one disadvantage of using a laser printer.  (4mks)

           ii) Distinguish between a line printer and a page printer             (2mks)

19  a) Identity three public Universities and three National Polytechnics in Kenya where further computer training is offered. In case, state the highest level of qualification that can be acquired in computer training. (6 mks)

b) Distinguish between “Job replacement” and “Job displacement” in reference to computerization.  (2mks)

c) Give four reasons why a firm may decide to computerize its operations.   (4mks)

d) An individual has a right to demand a guarantee of privacy of personal information stored on a computer.Give three such types of information.  (3mks)

20. a)  Give three comparisons of the traditional file management method of typing a document on a typewriter against using a word processor.     (6mks)

      b)  i) Define the term spreadsheet (1 mk)

            ii) Give two examples of spreadsheet packages available in the market today        (2mks)

      c) Explain the following terms as used in a spreadsheet:

             i)  What if …analysis         (2 mks)

             ii) Cell                (1 mk)

             iii) Formula  (1mk)

             iv)  Pie chart                                                                      (2 mks)

• Websites – any inappropriate websites ie pornography, drugs, guns,
• terrorism etc. e.g. is it acceptable for the organisation to allow access to this
• sort of material when you can’t control who is accessing the service?
• Time – limit amount of time, they may not want to provide indefinite access
• or may want to charge for access after the time limit has expired.
• Preventing file sharing and illegal sharing\use of copyrighted materials.
• Accountability – identification of users and actions on a network by
• preventing anonymous access.
• Prevention of illegal activities such as terrorism and fraud.
• The responsibility to keep children safe and protected.
• Responsibility to keep users (customers) data safe and secure.
• Spoofing of websites, phishing. Responsibility of organisation to put some kind of protection in place, eg filtering of known fraudulent sites.
• Recording of private messages or details if not encrypted.
• Recording of usernames and passwords that the user may also use to access other systems.
• Responsibility of organisation to secure their systems from possible attack.
• Sales and marketing – providing sales leads to market products.

• Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
• Post Office Protocol (POP)
• Internet Message Access Protocol(IMAP)

• A compiled program will only execute on a processor of specific type/family/with same instruction set
• A program run using an interpreter can execute on a computer with any type of processor;

(a)

– webcam
– speakers
– microphone
– broadband modem

(b)

– use of CODEC (converts/compresses analogue data into digital data)
– echo cancellation s/ware (allows talking in real time/keeps everything in sync)
– compression s/ware for video/audio
– s/ware to access broadband/networking

• more accurate/improved stock control/recording system/automatic
• reordering/automatic updating of stock file
• less staff/wages needed
• sales statistics now available
• faster throughput
• itemised receipt
• records every transaction
• records staff work rates
• less pilfering by staff/easier to identify pilfering
• less errors
• faster calculations
• links to EFTPOS

Virus

• - program/software that replicates/copies itself
• – can delete or alter files/data stored on a computer
•  – can make the computer “crash”/run slow

Pharming -

• malicious code/software installed on a user’s hard drive/actual webserver
•  – this code redirects user to a fake website (without their knowledge)
•  – to obtain personal/financial information/data

Phishing

• - legitimate-looking emails sent to a user
• – as soon as the recipient opens/clicks on the link in the email/attachment …
• – … the user is directed to a fake website (without their knowledge)
• – To obtain personal/financial information/data

State the characteristics of each of the following network topologies (KCSE COMPUTER STUDIES 2021 )

i) Mesh Topology  (2mks)

• a host/node is connected to one or multiple hosts
• a   host/node in point to point connection with every other host or a few hosts
• hosts/nodes in mesh topology also work as relays for other hosts which do not have point-to-point links

(ii) Ring Topology (2mks)

• each host/node connects exactly to two other hosts
• data travels around the ring in one direction through all intermediate hosts
• failure of any host results in the failure of the whole ring

• Radio waves
• Microwaves
• Infrared waves

(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

• High-level languages have built-in functions;
• High-level languages have built-in libraries;
• High-level languages have more support/help;
• High-level languages have structures (such as selection and iteration);
• High-level languages can be less machine-dependent/more portable;
• It (usually) requires fewer lines of code to be written;
• It is (usually) quicker to develop code in high-level languages;
• It is easier to find mistakes in code;
• The code is easier to maintain//understand;
• It is easier to structure code in high-level languages;

• two's complement has only one value for zero

HTTPS/HTTP: this is a protocol that is used to send data to web pages across the Internet

Uniform Resource Locator (URL):   a text-based version of a web address

Internet Service provider /ISP  - his is the company that provides a user with a connection to the Internet

browser - Software/application that allows users to view web pages / render HTML -

cookie - a text file (stored by a web browser) that contains data about a user’s browsing habits/details/preferences