Chapter 1 – Introduction To Computers
Page 1
Chapter 1
Introduction To Computer
Question 1
Differentiate between the two categories of microcomputers.
Question 2
An information system consists of five components.
a) Name the five main components of an information system
b) Describe how each component relates to each other.
How many basic categories can the hardware be divided into? Name them.
Explain about the magnetic stripes technology.
Define coercivity and state the unit of measure for coercivity. What is the typical range of
coercivity? What is the relation between coercivity and the life cycle of magnetic stripes card?
A magnetic stripes card consists of two parts. What are they?
Explain how magnetic stripes card work.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using magnetic stripes card.
Which applications use magnetic stripes card?
Question 3
Describe the importance of connectivity.
Question 4
Compare and contrast desktop computers with portable computers.
Question 5
Computers can be classified according to performance levels. Discuss by illustrating your
answers with examples.
Question 6
Describe the 4 categories of portable computers?
Question 7
Computers can also be classified by generations. Describe all the generations of the computer.
Question 8
Distinguish between software and hardware.
Question 9
What is the difference between application software and system software?
Question 10
Differentiate between data and information
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Chapter 1 – Introduction To Computers
Page 2
Question 11
a) Describe the features of a personal computer (PC) which may be used in a small
business environment.
b) What are the advantages of using a PC in a small business?
Question 12
A computer is composed of a number of separate components.
a)
b)
c)
Name the four major components of a computer system.
Describe the function of each component in relation to the others.
Draw a diagram to show the flow of data and control between them.
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Chapter 2 – The Processing Unit
Page 3
Chapter 2
The Processing Unit
Question 1
The Central Processing Unit comprises of 3 main components.
a) With the help of a diagram, illustrate these components in a computer system.
b) Describe the function of each component.
Question 2
What are the steps that the CPU must perform to execute an instruction? Illustrate your
answer with the aid of an example.(e.g. addition of two numbers)
Question 3
What is a bus? Explain how it contributes in the functioning of a computer system.
Question 4
Differentiate between arithmetic and logical operations.
Question 5
Write short notes on the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Microprocessor
Built Input Output System
Accumulator
Data Flow
Control Flow
Motherboard
Question 6
Instructions used in computer systems are divided into four categories:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Arithmetic instructions.
Data handling instructions.
Input/output instructions.
Decision or control instructions.
Explain their purposes and give an example where they are used.
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Chapter 2 – The Processing Unit
Page 4
Question 7
Give a block diagram of a microprocessor chip with which you are familiar and describe the
function of the major on-chip components.
Hypothetical microprocessor has an 8-bit address bus but is required to address 64K of 8-bit
RAM. Clearly identifying any registers and control lines that may be required, describe the
micro-command operations that must be performed in a typical memory fetch operation.
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Chapter 3 – Input and Output Devices
Page 5
Chapter 3
Input and Output Devices
Question 1
Name the types of keys one can find on the keyboard. Give examples of each type.
Question 2
What are the main types of direct entry devices? Briefly describe each type.
Question 3
Differentiate between the two types of voice recognition systems.
Question 4
What is a card?
a) What are the types of cards?
b) How do they differ from each other?
Question 5
What is the main function of output devices? Monitors are the most common output devices.
Define all the monitor standards that have been created. How do these standards differ from
each other?
Question 6
What are plotters? Describe briefly the main types of plotters.
Question 7
What is the function of a Computer Output Microfilm? What are the pros and cons of using
Computer Output Microfilm?
Question 8
What are the 5 kinds of terminals? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
Question 9
How does the touch screen operate?
Question 10
What is Document Image processing? Explain its use
Question 11
Give some applications of Voice Recognition System. Illustrate with examples.
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Chapter 3 – Input and Output Devices
Page 6
Question 12
Compare the transfer process of the dye sublimation printers with that of the thermal wax
printers.
Question 13
State one advantage and one disadvantage of each of the following types of printers:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Dot-matrix
Laser
Ink jet
Plotter
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Chapter 4 – Storage
Page 7
Chapter 4
Storage
Question 1
Differentiate between ROM and RAM. What are the two main types of RAM?
Question 2
How does primary storage differ from secondary storage?
Question 3
What are the three basic types of Compact Disks?
Question 4
Illustrate the storage hierarchy of a computer system by means of a diagram.
Question 5
Why is RAM referred to as volatile memory?
Question 6
Describe the types of hard disk.
Question 7
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of optical disks
Question 8
CD-ROM is considered as a WORM device. Discuss why.
Question 9
What is the main function of tape storage? Explain.
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Chapter 4 – Storage
Page 8
Question 10
Distinguish between the different types of tapes available.
a) Explain the following terms in storage devices: a)
surface
b)
sector
c)
track
d)
cylinder
b) Explain the term latency with reference to disc data transfer.
c) Explain the purpose of the cache that is usually an integral part of a modern disc
drive.
Question 11
Write short notes on the following:
a) SRAM
b) DRAM
c) PROM
d) EEPROM
Question 12
State three ways to improve hard disk performance and discuss.
Question 13
Define “Disk Access Time”.
Question 14
Mention the difference between the primary storage and secondary storage.
Question 15
State the forms of primary memory and give a brief notes on each.
Question 16
What are the permanent storage devices?
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Chapter 5 – Software
Page 9
Chapter 5
Software
Question 1
What are the main functions of an operating system? Give examples of some common
operating systems.
Question 2
Differentiate between a compiler and an interpreter.
Question 3
What is an application?
a) Describe four of the most commonly used applications.
b) Distinguish between integrated software and suites. Give examples of both.
Question 4
Describe the basic types of software. Differentiate between public domain software and
domain software.
Question 5
The operating system is used to monitor system activities. Explain.
Question 6
Distinguish between compilers, interpreters and assemblers.
Question 7
What do you understand by flat databases? Discuss the pros and cons of flat databases and
relational databases.
Question 8
a)
What do you understand by the word "Office Automation"?
b)
Briefly explain types of word processors and list out SIX characteristics of word
processors.
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Chapter 5 – Software
Page 10
Question 9
Many companies have purchased microcomputer systems to provide spreadsheet, wordprocessing and database facilities.
a) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using an integrated package that provides
all three facilities as against using three specific packages?
b) Discuss the criteria you would use when assessing packages.
Question 10
What can a computer do without an operating system?
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Chapter 6 – Batch/On-line and Real-time Processing System
Page 11
Chapter 6
Batch/On-line and Real-time Processing System
Question 1
What are flat files? Why is database processing preferred to file processing for storing business
data?
Question 2
What is batch processing? Briefly describe the steps involved in batch processing.
a) What are the advantages and drawbacks of batch processing?
b) Define batch control. Describe the two types of batch control.
Question 3
Which processing system is more appropriate for a library information system? Support your
answer.
Question 4
Why is database processing considered as more efficient than file processing?
Question 5
Distinguish between sequential file and transaction file.
Question 6
What are batch controls? Describe the types of batch controls.
Question 7
Differentiate between real time processing system and off-line processing system.
Question 8
Modern communications equipment makes the use of distributed processing and realtime systems practical solutions to users’ information needs.
a)
b)
Define the term “distributed computing” and give an example of such a
system.
Give an example of a real-time system and list its characteristics.
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Page 12
Chapter 3 – Batch/On-line and Real-time Processing System
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Chapter 7 – Files And Database Management Systems
Page 13
Chapter 7
Files and Database Management Systems
Question 1
Describe the three file usage categories. What are the two types of master files?
Question 2
Compare and contrast the three types of file organisation.
Question 3
What does the overflow methodology refer to? What are the causes of overflow and how can
it be dealt with?
Question 4
What are the factors that urged for the need of databases?
Question 5
Compare and contrast between the network database models, hierarchical models, relational
database models and the client/server database.
Question 6
Data can be stored in and accessed from files in any of the following ways:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Serial mode.
Sequential mode.
Indexed sequential mode.
Random mode.
Describe how the data is stored for each and list its advantages and disadvantages.
Question 7
What are the principal processes carried out with files? Explain them in details.
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Chapter 7 – Files And Database Management Systems
Page 14
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Chapter 8 – Introduction To Networking
Page 15
Chapter 8
Introduction To Networking
Question 1
With the help of a diagram, explain how data is transferred between two computers on a
network.
Question 2
Describe the different ways in which computers can be connected in a network. Which
network configuration type is appropriate for banks and why?
Question 3
Write short notes on the following: a) Teleprocessing
b) Data communication
c) Telecommunications
Question 4
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of communication networks.
Question 5
What are the different types of networks? Differentiate between each type.
Question 6
Differentiate between a router, bridge and a gateway.
Question 7
Which is the preferred transmission media for connecting two universities A and B found
approximately 100 km apart? Discuss.
Question 8
“Organisations spend thousands or even millions of dollars to install physical links with
nearby facilities. If you are facing this type of installation, consider wireless networking as
an alternative. The deployment of wireless networking in these situations costs thousands of
dollars, but will result in definite cost savings in the long run”.
Discuss the above comment and justify your answer.
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Chapter 8 – Introduction To Networking
Page 16
Question 9
a)
b)
Asynchronous and synchronous are two modes used for transmitting data on
communication lines. With the aid of diagrams, compare and contrast these
two modes.
Discuss the following network topologies in details.
i)
star topology
ii)
bus topology
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Chapter 9 – Computers And Internet Security
Page 17
Chapter 9
Computers and Internet Security
Question 1
What are the measures used to protect software?
Question 2
Explain the following terms:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Encryption
Digital signature
Firewall
Hacker.
Question 3
Distinguish between the different types of security.
Question 4
Differentiate between an intranet, extranet and the internet.
Question 5
Describe some of the most common antivirus strategy software.
Question 6
What are the differences between Private Key Cryptography and Public Key
Cryptography? Describe the way (including its steps) to authenticate by Digital
Signature.
Question 7
Distinguish between closed systems and open systems.
Question 8
Discuss the process of encryption and decryption. Explain how it is useful in transit
security.
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Chapter 9 – Computers And Internet Security
Page 18
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Chapter 10 – The Internet And Electronic Commerce
Page 19
Chapter 10
Internet And Electronic Commerce
Question 1
1. Define e-commerce? In what ways is it beneficial for the operation of a business?
Question 2
What are the main requirements for connecting to Internet?
Question 3
Write short notes on the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
HTML
TCP/IP protocol
Internet browser
Hyperlink
Question 4
a) What are the two major components that make up the World Wide Web?
b) State the characteristics of the World Wide Web.
Question 5
a)
b)
What are the various electronic commerce infrastructure services available today?
How will marketing on the World Wide Web differ from traditional marketing?
Explain briefly.
Question 6
a) To what degree are advertisers currently taking advantage of the potential benefits of
advertising on the Internet? Explain.
b) What are the three components to Internet Advertising?
Question 7
Define the term “Intelligent Agents”? Give some examples of Intelligent Agents.
Question 8
Show the roles of Inter-network Provider, Internet Service Provider, Internet Presence
Provider, and Internet Content Provider.
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Chapter 10 – Internet And The Electronic Commerce
Page 20
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Chapter 11 – Introduction To Artificial Intelligence
Page 21
Chapter 11
Introduction To Artificial Intelligence
Question 1
What is artificial intelligence? What are its major applications?
Question 2
Represent the following facts as a set of frames, using the notation you’ve learnt:
"The aorta is a particular kind of artery, which has a diameter of 2.5cm. An artery is a
kind of blood vessel. An artery always has a muscular wall, and generally has a
diameter of 0.4cm. A vein is a kind of blood vessel, but has a fibrous wall. Blood
vessels all have tubular form and contain blood."
Represent the following facts in the language of predicate logic:
 Every apple is either green or yellow.
 No apple is blue.
 If an apple is green then it is tasty.
 Every man likes a tasty apple.
Question 3
a)
Briefly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of predicate logic and frames as
knowledge representation languages. Your answer should include a brief discussion
of the sorts of knowledge each is good (or bad) at representing.
b)
List the different methods of knowledge representation?
Question 4
a)
Define AI and briefly discuss the advantages of AI.
b)
Explain the relationship between AI and Expert Systems.
Question 5
a)
b)
c)
What are the four types of search problems?
Briefly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of depth and breadth first search.
What are the four types of search problems?
Question 6
Discuss the main stages of processing and intermediate representations used in computational
vision.
Question 7
a)
What is the difference between symbolic artificial intelligence and neural network?
b)
Give the similarities of the localised representation model and the distributed
representation model.
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Chapter 11 – Introduction To Artificial Intelligence
Page 22
Question 8
List some of the main AI branches.
Question 9
a)
b)
What are the major advantages of a human over a robot? What are the managerial
implications of robotics' limitations?
Why is visual recognition one of the most advanced areas of AI? What are the major
advantages and disadvantages of the machine vision?
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Chapter 12 – Expert Systems
Page 23
Chapter 12
Expert Systems
Question 1
Discuss the concept of Expert Systems.
Question 2
What are the different types of expert systems?
Question 3
An expert system has a life cycle. List and discuss what takes place at each of the stages.
Question 4
List and discuss the problems faced by expert systems.
Question 5
What are the three branches of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Explain each of them in details.
Question 6
Name some common characteristics of Expert Systems
Question 7
What is the function of the expert system shells?
Question 8
Distinguish between Rule –based and Frame-based expert systems
Question 9
List some of the most common applications of expert systems.
Question 10
In what ways do expert systems and human beings differ? Illustrate your answer with
examples.
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GENETIC COMPUTER SCHOOL
COMPUTER SYSTEM FUNDAMENTAL
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 .................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 2 .................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER 3 .................................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER 4 .................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 5 .................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 6 .................................................................................................. 11
CHAPTER 7 .................................................................................................. 13
CHAPTER 8 .................................................................................................. 15
CHAPTER 9 .................................................................................................. 17
CHAPTER 10................................................................................................. 19
CHAPTER 11................................................................................................. 21
CHAPTER 12................................................................................................. 23
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