| Question | Answer |
| Describe what data encoding means. | To convert to a machine readable form that the computer can understand. |
| What is meant by the term encryption? | Scrambling of data/secret code, unauthorised viewers would not be able to understand the data. |
| Describe, giving an example, a generic package. | An applications package that is appropriate for many uses, E.g. Word-Processor/DTP/Spreadsheets/database management systems. |
| Describe, giving an example, a intergrated package. | An applications package that consists of a number of distinct applications, E.g. Word processor and spreadsheet and database. |
| A large mail order company has decided to upgrade the software used to process customer orders. Explain possible human implications of changing the software. | May need training, Existing data needs transferring, Takes time to install, 'Old' procedures/menues may no longer be available, Staff could be made redundant. |
| Explain two differences between a LAN and a WAN. | 1)LAN's are restricted to a single site/building/campus, whereas a WAN can be over a large area, geographically remote locations. 2) LAN's are connected via a physical link whereas WAN's are connected via a satellite link by use of a modem. |
| A large mail order company has decided to upgrade the software used to process customer orders. Explain possible technical implications of changing the software. | Harware may need upgrading, Other software may need upgrading, May be incompatible with other hardware/ software used, Date may need to be converted to a new format, New software may not have been tested properly. |
| State a medium that may be used for backing up the following file, why is it suitable? -A short, word-processed document. | Floppy disk, removable medium and doesn't require a large capacity, it is also re-usable. or Memory card, USB card, Flash memory. |
| State, with reasons, two elements of hardware that enable a PC to connect to the internet. | (Cable)Modem, dial up connection, Router, allows multiple PC connections, ADSL, allows external connection. |
| A photograph is scanned so that it can be included on the web page. The scanning software encodes the image. Name two types of encoding that can be used. | Bitmapped(.BMP) and vector. |
| What is Pseudo real-time processing? | A system where the computer records a transaction and more or less immediatley updates the master file (no immediate urgency). |
| What is real-time processing? | Real-time processing occurs when a computer responds instantley to events occuring. |
| What is interactive processing? | Data is encoded and processed straight away. |
| What is batch processing? | A group of similar transactions are collected together over as period of time and processed in one operation. |
| What are the main problems that arise with flat-file databases? | Redundant data, Errors on input, Difficulties in updating and modifying data. |
| What is a flat-file? | A database held in a single file. This allows simple structuring of the data, and the software that accesses and updates the data is commony called a file management system. |
| Decribe the term, Verification. | The proces of entering data twice, the second entry ebing compared with the first to ensure that it is accurate. |
| Explain batch header checks. | The total number of records in a batch should be calculated by the computer and compared with the figure on the batch header. |
| What is a look-up list check? | A list of valid values may be displayed for a certain filed and the operater selects from a list. |
| Provide an example of a file look-up check. | If a customer has filled in their customer nuber, the computer can look it up on the customer file and display all details. |
| What is an example of a range check? | The expiry date of a card must have a month number between 1 and 12, and the date must be later than todays date. |
| What does a format check do? | This checks the correct format of a field, e.g. a telephone number must be numerical and have a limited number of digits. |
| What is a presence check? | Certain fields in a table must be present, the program can perform a check to establish that they are present. |
| What is the purpose of system software? | Performs tasks that are required when a computer is in use, for example; Utilities, virus checkers, firewalls and an Operating system (OS) which manages and controls the computer and it's peripherals. |
| Name the mode of processing that would be suitbale for the following ICT system. Kitchen designing. | Interactive Processing. |
| Name the mode of processing that would be suitable for the following ICT system. Cinema ticket booking. | Transaction Processing. |
| What is meant by 'Menu driven interfaces'? | Onscreen list of choice that users can select one action from, e.g. terminal use by the public with touch sensitive screens. |
| What does WIMP stand for? | Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers |
| Describe two features of a client-server network. | Servers provide central services, e.g. software installation, backups etc.. If the server goes down then the clients on the network can't access the resources provided by the server. |
| Name the mode of processing that would be suitable for controlling a chemical process (ICT system). | Real-time processing. |
| Name the mode of processing that would be suitable for a monthly payroll ICT system. | Batch processing. |
| A document, containing text and graphics is printed out from a computer system. name two types of printer that may be used. | Laser, Inkjet, Dot Matrix, Thermal. |
| Name three types of HCI ( Human/Computer Interface). | GUI/WIMP, Menu driven, Command line, Natural language, Form driven. |
| State a medium that may be used for backing up the following file, why is it suitable? A multimedia presentation. | CD-R/W, CD-R, DVD-(+/-)R/W, DVD RAM, Zip disk, USB card, Flash Memory, Removable hard disk. |
| Describe 2 features of peer- to-peer network. | Any computer can access files/ devices on any other computer with permission. All computers have same status. |
