9618/11 May/June 2022

Define the terms File header in a bitmap image.

File header: Metadata about the bitmap (e.g. number of colours)

What is meant by copyright?

• Legal right of ownership over creative work

• Protects against unauthorised copying

• Allows legal redress for infringement

Match each utility to its correct description.

• Disk formatter:

• Defragmentation:

• Back-up:

• Disk repair:

• Disk formatter: Prepares disk for file storage

• Defragmentation: Moves parts of files to be contiguous

• Back-up: Creates a copy of data in case it’s lost

• Disk repair: Scans/corrects disk errors

Complete the fetch-execute cycle register sequence. (P-M-M-C-P)

• Program Counter (PC) → Memory Address Register (MAR) → Memory Data Register (MDR) → Current Instruction Register (CIR) →Program Counter (incremented again)

Describe key features of a peer-to-peer network.

• Each computer acts as both client and server

• All computers share resources without central server

• Devices communicate directly with each other

• Suitable for small networks / few computers

State two drawbacks of a peer-to-peer network.

• Data can be harder to back up consistently

• Each user responsible for their own security

• Less secure compared to server-based

• Harder to manage software updates

Tick the correct router responsibilities.
A:

• Receives packets from devices:

• Finds IP address of URL:

• Directs each packet to all devices:

• Stores IP/MAC addresses:

• Receives packets from devices: ✅ Performed by router

• Stores IP/MAC addresses: ✅ Performed by router

Should a user choose a wired or wireless connection for gaming and streaming?

Wired, because:

• Faster and more stable connection

• Lower latency

• Less interference

• More suitable for bandwidth-heavy activities

Is sending email via webmail using the Internet, the Web, or both?

• Both → Internet provides network infrastructure & Web provides interface to access email

• Uses HTTP to interact with webmail interface over the Internet

State the purpose of RAM and ROM in an embedded system.

• RAM: Stores data currently in use / volatile memory

• ROM: Stores firmware / start-up instructions / non-volatile memory

Explain why a system is considered a monitoring system rather than a control system.

• A monitoring system uses input devices (e.g. sensors) to collect data about a physical condition.

• The system may store or alert based on the data, but it does not take action to change the conditions being measured.

• The system does not use feedback — the output has no effect on the input.

• In contrast, a control system would automatically adjust or respond to the input by activating output devices (e.g. actuators).

Give three differences between RAM and secondary storage.

• RAM is volatile; secondary storage is non-volatile

• RAM is faster than secondary storage

• RAM holds data currently in use; secondary storage stores data long-term

Explain how a barcode scanner works.

• A red laser is shone on the barcode

• White reflects more light than black bars

• Sensor detects reflected light

• Generates a unique pattern

• Pattern is converted to digital signal

• Sent to the computer for lookup

What is meant by the term “programming paradigm”?

A style/approach used to design and write programs

Define each file type:

• CSV:

• Executable:

• Lossy:

• Lossless:

• CSV: Data stored as plain text with comma-separated values

• Executable: Runs a program / contains compiled code

• Lossy: Compression where original data cannot be fully restored

• Lossless: Compression where original data can be fully restored

Explain why a relational database is better than a flat-file system (file based system)

RIPQS

• Less data redundancy, because data is stored once in linked tables

• Better data integrity, because updates are consistent across tables

• Program–data independence, as changes to data structure don't require rewriting all programs

• Supports complex queries, unlike flat-file which needs custom code for each

• Improved security/privacy, due to user views and controlled access

Give one example of each type of relationship:

• One-to-one: Customer to login details

• One-to-many: Customer to order

• Many-to-many: Order to product

Which relationship cannot be directly implemented in a relational database?

Many-to-many

Give three items stored in a data dictionary.

• Table name

• Field name / Attribute

• Data type