Computing - Exam Mistakes

Question 0

Describe what is meant by a variable. 2 marks

Answer 0

A variable is a SYMBOL that represents a value that is used in an algorithm

It can changed by the program while it is running

Question 1

Give 3 functions of operating system

Answer 1

Provides user interface

Memory management

Peripheral management

Question 2

What would the reason for using a string be?

Answer 2

Consists of multiple characters

Question 3

How do DNS servers work? 3 marks

Answer 3

Database of IP addresses

Converts website address into an IP address

Connects a computer to the website

Question 4

What is meant by resolution?

Answer 4

CONCENTRATION of pixels on the picture

Question 5

What is needed in every report?

Answer 5

Title

Question 6

Give 2 disadvantages of off-the-shelf software

Answer 6

Might not do what you need

Not compatible with your hardware

Question 7

Explain what is meant by virtual memory. 2 marks

Answer 7

Section of HARD DISK

Used to store data and programs in RAM that aren’t currently being used

Question 8

What is an input device?

Answer 8

Allows user to enter data to system

Question 9

What is an output device?

Answer 9

A device that returns the results of processing from the computer to the user

Question 10

Explain what is meant by a DBMS. 3 marks

Answer 10

A system that allows you to manage a database

The main features are:

Allows data to be queried

Allows relationships to be made between tables

Provides security measures for the database

Question 11

Describe HTML. 2 marks

Answer 11

A programming language for designing web pages

Allows you to set locations of pictures, display text and perform other function such as hyperlinks

Question 12

Explain the importance of HTML when creating web pages. 2 marks

Answer 12

Webpage will appear and function just as planned (it will be interpreted correctly)

Because HTML is an open standard

Question 13

Give an example of where lossless compression would be used

Answer 13

Compressed text files

Question 14

Describe antivirus. 2 marks

Answer 14

Scans the computer PERIODICALLY

In order to detect and remove files that could harm the computer

Question 15

Describe the disk defragmenter. 2 marks

Answer 15

Moves parts of files around so that all parts of a file are stored together

Also collects together all free space

Question 16

Explain why hex numbers are often used to represent binary numbers. 2 marks

Answer 16

Hex numbers are shorter and more memorable

Can be easily converted to and from binary

Question 17

Give 3 function of the server on a network that has 2 computers and a printer

Answer 17

Controls the workstations access to the Internet

Installs software on all computers automatically

Allows both computers to use printer over the network

Question 18

Explain what is meant by a peer to peer network. 2 marks

Answer 18

A network where all computers have equal status

To share data between each other

Question 19

Describe how the system cleanup utility is used. 2 marks

Answer 19

Finds files and versions of programs that are not used by the user anymore and deletes them

E.g. Temporary files that aren’t needed anymore

Question 20

Describe how the automatic update utility is used. 2 marks

Answer 20

It periodically checks the Internet for system updates

It automatically downloads and installs these updates when they are available

Question 21

State 2 tasks that the CPU carries out when processing data

Answer 21

Fetches instructions

Decodes instructions

Question 22

Explain how clock speed affects CPU performance. 2 marks

Answer 22

Allows it to process data faster

Clock speed represents how many fetch execute cycles can be done in a given time

Question 23

Explain how cache size affects CPU performance. 2 marks

Answer 23

Allows faster access to data in current use

Because cache is faster than other types of memory and built into the CPU

Question 24

Give 3 general features of a DBMS

Answer 24

Manage data (includes queries, forms, reports etc.) Security of database (passwords, access levels and encryption) Data integrity checks, validation, reduction of data redundancy

Question 25

Give 2 reasons that a DBMS is desirable

Answer 25

Because it is separate to database, other applications can access database Can be set up beforehand by an expert

Question 26

Explain why computers use binary. 2 marks

Answer 26

Circuit needs to only check for 2 States 1 and 0 are represented by electricity flowing and not flowing

Question 27

Describe how instructions are stored in binary. 3 marks

Answer 27

Instruction consists of operator and operand Both stored as bit patterns Each operator has a unique bit pattern

Question 28

Give 2 differences between high level and machine code

Answer 28

English / binary Read by humans / read and executed by computers

Question 29

Give 3 things that a large team of programmers will have to do

Answer 29

Clear commenting of code so that it is understandable Need for professionalism since one person's code relies on another person's code Same programming language and software standards

Question 30

Explain why a secondary storage device is needed. 2 marks

Answer 30

To store files and operating system Even when the system is switched off

Question 31

Give 3 characteristics of magnetic storage

Answer 31

Can store operating system Sensitive to movement due to moving parts High capacity

Question 32

Give 3 characteristics of solid state storage

Answer 32

Not sensitive to movement (no moving parts) Fast access to data Not as much storage as magnetic

Question 33

Give 2 benefits of LAN

Answer 33

Computers to share HARDWARE DEVICES Allows people using computers to easily SHARE FILES to each other

Question 34

Describe how sampling is used when storing sound. 2 marks

Answer 34

Amplitude of sound wave is measured after regular intervals And converted to binary

Question 35

Give 3 advantages and a disadvantage of using computers instead of people

Answer 35

Does everything systematically (no human error) Easier to analyse what a computer has done Can be deployed in several places at once BUT power cuts stop it from working

Question 36

How many possible characters in ASCII set and why?

Answer 36

255 8 bit character codes

Question 37

Describe what is meant by open source. 2 marks

Answer 37

Source code comes with software It can be edited by anyone

Question 38

Describe 2 useful tools in an IDE. 4 marks

Answer 38

The debugging tools check the code for errors and point them out Provides area for writing program code and colour codes certain code and auto completes code

Question 39

Describe the purpose of ROM. 2 marks

Answer 39

Stores the boot program Used to start the computer and load the operating system

Question 40

Describe the purpose of RAM. 2 marks

Answer 40

Stores programs that are currently open Stores data that is currently being used by the computer

Question 41

Explain what is meant by an entity and how entities relate to tables. 4 marks

Answer 41

Something in the real world that data is about Each table represents an entity Each record of a table represents am individual Entities can have attributes which are also stored in the tables

Question 42

Describe the difference between proprietary and open source software. 2 marks

Answer 42

Proprietary can't be modified and the source code doesn't come with it Open source comes with source code and can be altered or copied by the user

Question 43

Describe what is meant by a LAN. 2 marks

Answer 43

Computers are connected to each other In a small geographical area

Question 44

Describe what is meant by virtual memory and why it is needed. 3 marks

Answer 44

Section of hard disk Acts as an extension of RAM Needed when there isn't enough physical memory

Question 45

Describe what is meant by an overflow error. 2 marks

Answer 45

Extra bit needed Too large a number for 8 bits

Question 46

Why are CD-ROMS suitable for a CD. 2 marks

Answer 46

Cheap storage method Very thin so it is portable

Question 47

Describe what is meant by proprietary software. 2 marks

Answer 47

Source code not available License restricts COPYING, MODIFYING and DISTRIBUTING of software

Question 48

Explain one advantage of an e book reader manufacturer of providing proprietary software instead of open source. 2 marks

Answer 48

It will definitely work with e book reader Because no user modifications can be made

Question 49

What does the system information utility do. Give an example. 2 marks

Answer 49

Provides information about current state of computer How much free memory available

Question 50

Explain one benefit of separating database applications from data. 3 marks

Answer 50

Allows multiple apps to work on it Because it isn't part of specific app Ensures no redundancy between apps