COMPUTING

 
Attempt ALL questions in this section.
1.
State
one
benefit of networking computers.
2.
Explain the difference between storing data in RAM and storing data on
backing storage.
3.
Name the part of the processor responsible for carrying out calculations.
4.
Name the software that controls the process of saving files to disk.
5.
Name
one
optical storage medium that allows the user to save files but
not
delete them.
6.
Name an input device which is built into a palmtop computer.
7.
Each character on the keyboard has its own ASCII code. The ASCII code for
one of the
control characters
is 13.
(
a
) Convert the decimal number 13 into a binary number.
(
b
) Describe the function of “control characters”.
8.
Explain the purpose of the
analysis
stage in the software development process.
9.
State
one
advantage of writing programs in a high level language rather than in
machine code.
10.
Name the stage of the software development process at which the
user interface
is created.
11.
Complete the following
complex condition
that displays a message “Slow Down”
for cars whose speed is over 30, but below 35.
IF _________________________________THEN display “Slow Down”.
12.
A hospital uses a program to store the length of time each person waits to see a
doctor. The program reports the longest waiting time.
State which
one
of the following standard algorithms the program would use:
• Input validation
• Find maximum
• Find minimum
• Count occurrences
• Linear search
13.
Name the type of loop that a program would use to implement an
input
validation
algorithm.
]
Attempt ALL questions in this section.
14.
Marek is writing a program to calculate the average weekly rainfall.
The design for this program can be represented as follows:
(
a
) (i) Name the design notation that has been used above.
(ii) Name and describe a
graphical
design notation.
(
b
) Steps 2 and 5 are the beginning and the end of a
fixed loop
.
Explain why a “fixed loop” is being used here.
(
c
) Marek uses an
editor
at the implementation stage of the software
development process.
(i) State the purpose of an “editor” at the implementation stage.
(ii) State where the program is stored before it is saved to backing
storage.
(
d
) Describe
two
methods that Marek could use to ensure that his code is
readable.
(
e
) The program calculates the average rainfall for one week as 18
.
6 mm.
Describe how
floating point representation
is used to represent real
numbers.
SECTION II
1. set total to zero
2. loop 7 times
3. get day’s rainfall from user
4. add rainfall to total
5. end loop
6. calculate average rainfall
7. display average rainfall
15.
The estate agent PropertyPlus has a catalogue of local properties for sale. A
sample page from the catalogue is shown below.
(
a
) From this sample page, identify
one
object and
one
operation that may
have been carried out on the object.
(
b
) The image of the house measures 3 inches by 4 inches and has a resolution
of 600 dpi.
Calculate the storage requirements for the photograph in
kilobytes
.
Show all working
.
(
c
) The photograph was taken using a digital camera. The camera was
connected to a computer system through an
interface
.
State
one
function of an “interface”.
(
d
) State
one
reason why the estate agent might choose a laser printer rather
than an inkjet printer to print the catalogue.
(
e
) PropertyPlus makes its catalogue available on-line.
(i) Name the type of software that is required to access this catalogue
on-line.
(ii) State an appropriate type of software for protecting a computer
system while accessing the Internet.
(
f
) Name the legislation that requires PropertyPlus to protect information
held on customers.
PropertyPlus
Price
Location
Rooms
Garden
Parking
£120,000
East Kirkness
2 bedrooms, living room,
family kitchen, dining
room, bathroom
Front and rear garden
Off street parking
Property 1 of 65