INTERMEDIATE 2 COMPUTING COMPUTER SYSTEMS. Homework Questions

Transcription

1 INTERMEDIATE COMPUTING COMPUTER SYSTEMS Homework

2 Sheet 1 Data Representation 1. a) What is the number system used by computers? b) Give 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of this using this system. c) How would the decimal number 1 appear in this number system?. a) Text is stored in ASCII. What does ASCII stand for? b) What is the function of ASCII? c) ASCII can also represent control characters. What is a control character? d) Give an example of a control character.. a) What is a pixel? 5 b) What does resolution mean? c) How are pixels stored in memory from a computer with a black and white monitor? d) Write down how this bit of graphic will be stored in memory: e) What is the name given to the data from a graphics screen when it is in memory?. A black and white monitor has 800 pixels by 600 pixels. a) How many pixels are on the screen altogether? b) How many bits will it take to store this screen? c) How many bytes does it take to store the screen? 5. If a graphic is described as high resolution, what does that tell you about the amount of storage it will need? 1 Total 17 Computing Intermediate 1 Computer Systems

3 Sheet Computer Structure 1. The main components of the processor are the control unit and the arithmetic and logic unit. a) Give functions of the control unit. b) Give functions of the ALU.. a) How many bits are there in a byte? b) What is meant by the word size of a computer?. a) Identify differences between RAM and ROM? 5 b) How does the CPU find data and instructions stored in memory?. Why does a computer need: a) input and output devices? b) backing storage? 5. a) What are peripherals? b) Why does a computer need an interface to operate a peripheral? Total 17 Computing Intermediate Computer Systems

4 Sheet Networking: 1. a) What does LAN stand for? 7 b) What is meant by ensuring data integrity in a LAN? c) Give advantages in using a LAN. d) What is a fileserver? e) Identify jobs which a Network Operating System does in addition to normal operating system tasks?. a) What does WAN stand for? b) How does a WAN differ from a LAN?. a) What is a Client on a Client-Server Network? c) What is the function of a server on a Client-Server Network?. What are the advantages of a Client- Server network over a peer to peer network? 5. What is a Hyperlink on a web page? 1 6. a) What rights do you have as a data subject under the Data Protection Act? 6 b) What duties does the Data Controller have under the Data Protection Act? Total Computing Intermediate Computer Systems

5 Sheet Input Devices 1. a) What determines the speed of keyboard entry on a computer system? b) How accurate an input device is a keyboard?. A trackball has advantages over a mouse. What are they?. Describe how a trackpad operates?. Would a touchscreen be a good input device for drawing graphics? Explain your answer. Give an example of a task that a touchscreen is useful for. 5. How does a graphics tablet operate? 6. a) What does OCR stand for? b) How does OCR compare with keyboard entry for speed and accuracy? c) Where is OCR used? 7. a) What does MICR stand for? b) Who uses MICR? c) Why do they use it? 8. a) What does OMR stand for? b) Give an example of a use of OMR. Total 18 Computing Intermediate Computer Systems

6 Sheet 5 Output Devices 1. a) Describe how a CRT monitor operate? b) Give reasons why laptops use LCD monitors?. Laser printers can be desktop, network or colour. Copy and complete the following table to compare these in terms of speed, quality and cost. DESKTOP NETWORK COLOUR SPEED RESOLUTION (accuracy, quality) COST. Ink jet printers are very popular with home computer users. Identify 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of these printers for home use.. What are plotters used for? 1 5. How does a pen plotter operate? 6. Identify a factor which affects the speed of a plotter? 1 7. Give one reason why an interface is needed between a CPU and a peripheral device such as a printer. Total 1 Computing Intermediate 5 Computer Systems

7 Sheet 6 Backing Storage 1. Backing storage can have serial or random access. Explain the difference between these terms.. Give 1 example of a storage device that uses serial access. Give 1 example of a storage device that uses random access.. A floppy disk holds 1. Mb and costs about 0p. A hard disk holding 10 Gb costs about 00. A tape cartridge holding Gb costs about 10. a) Which one represents the best value in pounds per Gb? b) Which of these magnetic devices is fastest in terms of transfer rates?. a) How is data saved to CD-ROM disks? b) Why would a CD-ROM not be a suitable device to use for backups? 5. What type of application would a DVD-ROM be most suited for? 1 6. Give 1 reason why backing up data is important? 1 7. Outline aspects of a backup procedure that a business might use. Total 15 Computing Intermediate 6 Computer Systems

8 Sheet 7 Operating Systems 1. A single user operating system has main functions, what are they?. Give examples of extra functions that a network operating system has to perform in addition to those of a single user one.. a) What is a utility program? b) Give two examples of tasks that can be done by utilities?. a) What do the letters HCI stand for? 6 b) Describe in general terms what a computer s HCI is? c) Give 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of a command driven HCI. d) What does WIMP stand for? e) Why are WIMP interfaces so popular? 5. A user types a letter in a word processing program, saves the letter and then prints it. How is the operating system involved in these tasks? 6. A network manager wants to keep track of the amount of time users are logged onto the system, but the operating system cannot provide this information. What could she buy to solve her problem? 1 Total 18 Computing Intermediate 7 Computer Systems

9 Sheet 8 Software 1. Identify special operations you would expect from an application package that processes: a) numbers? b) data?. Name types of computer graphics.. Identify tasks performed by communication software?. What is the name of the software used to access the World Wide Web? 5. What is the name of the software used to develop multimedia presentations? Identify advantages of an integrated package. 7. Identify the application that would be most suitable for carrying out the following tasks on a computer: 5 a) Producing a school newsletter; b) Keeping accounts for the school tuck shop; c) Sending standard letters out to patients who are due a check up; d) Producing diagrams for geometry homework; e) Searching the Internet. Total 18 Computing Intermediate 8 Computer Systems