km 46/48
REDEEMER'S UNIVERSITY
Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway, Redemption
City, Ogun State
COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS
2013/2014
SESSION
COURSE CODE: CMP 101
COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Computer
INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer Any Four Questions
TIME ALLOWED: 2 Yz Hours
Science
Note: Any reference to computer in this paper is a reference to digital computer unless otherwise
explicitly stated
Question One
a) We can classify computers generally into various types. Itemize the three main
criteria for the classification. Based on these criteria, put computers into the
various categories and briefly describe each.
b) State the dateline of the second generation computers and list their striking
features.
c) Itemize four main design characteristics of the modern mainframe computer.
d) What is the main factor that differentiates
the mainframe
from the
supercomputer?
e) How do we measure the speed of the mainframe and the supercomputer?
Question Two
a) Draw a block diagram to illustrate the interactions of the components
computer hardware.
b) Briefly describe the components ofthe hardware shown in (a].
c)
Outline the application
of the
areas of the modern computer.
d) Computer users are classified into various categories. List and briefly describe
them.
e) List and briefly explain any five risks involved in using the computer in the
society.
Question Three
a) What is von Neumann's
Architecture?
b) Describe the central processing
c)
Explain the main idea behind it.
unit, its components
and their functions.
How does the machine cycle operate in a typical computer
system?
d) What is pipelining? How does it affect the machine cycle?
e) What is parallel processing?
Briefly describe its operation
in a computer system.
Question Four
a) What is memory?
b)
c)
d)
e)
Describe the two types of memory
and give example(s)
of
each.
What is RAM? Give a table to describe the various versions of the RAM.
Explain the term memory cache and describe its various types.
Define the following terms: "storage", "storage medium", "storage devices",
"reading" and "writing".
Complete the following table to reflect how computer storage is measured:
Approximate Number of Value in Base 2
~tes
2.10
~~te(KB)
1 thousand
Megabyte (MB)
~abyte
(GB)
-------Tera~CIgL
________________
Storage Term
I
c·
Exact Numbers in
Bytes
1024
J-----
t
Question Five
a) What do you understand by system software? List the two categories of system
software.
b) Define an operating system and list any five of its functions.
c) (i) Define an application software and list four main purposes they are meant to
achieve.
(ii) Define a word processing software and list any five of its prominent features.
d) Programming languages are classified into four main generations, explain them
and give examplef s).
e) What is the main difference between a compiled and an interpreted program?
Support your answer with illustrative diagrams.
Question Six
a) What IS computer
communication'?
What do you need for an effective
communication to take place?
b) List and briefly explain any five uses of computer communication.
c) Define
2.
computer
network and list its advantages.
d) \Vhat is :"1]'[ input? Explain the three main categories
list three operations you can perform with a mouse.
of inputs that we have, and
e) Define the terms: "output device", "display device" and "display resolution".
any five output devices you know and state their uses.
List