CP2 Computing January 2007

[1]	A secretary uses a word processing package to produce letters.
(i)	Describe how the secretary could use each of the features named below:
	(I) thesaurus;	[1]
	to find alternatives to a word
	(II) print preview.	[1]
	a view of what the letter will look like when it is printed
(ii)	The secretary sends confidential letters to clients using email.
	(I) Describe one advantage of sending the letters using email compared to conventional post.	[1]
	emails are received within seconds instead of days
	(II) Describe two possible concerns that the clients may have about receiving this type of communication by email.	[2]
	a virus might be sent attached to the email other people may intercept and read the email

[2]	Two secondary storage devices are a floppy disc drive and a hard disc drive. Name two other secondary storage devices, giving a suitable use for each device.	[4]
	DVD writer... ... for storing large files such as films USB Flash memory stick... ...to save data to transfer between home and school computers.

[3]	DAP Motors is a small garage that repairs and services cars. Details of customers and their cars are stored in paper files at reception. Cars need to be serviced at regular intervals. The number of customers is growing and the garage owner believes that the current paper based system may be losing business. Describe two possible problems with the current paper based system that may lead to the garage losing business and describe how a computerised database system could solve these problems.	[4]
	paper customer records may be lost... ...the database can be easily searched for the customer's record. finding car service records may take a long time on paper... ...finding records in the database is fast.

[4](a)	Explain the difference between validation and verification.	[2]
	validation - checking that input data is reasonable. verification - checking that data is input (typed) correctly (possibly by double-entry)
(b)	National Insurance numbers have the following structure: LetterLetter DigitDigit DigitDigit DigitDigit Letter An example of a valid National Insurance number is RZ 25 27 29 Y A company uses a validation check when the National Insurance number is input into a computer system. Describe a suitable validation check that could be carried out on the National Insurance number, and give an example of invalid data that would be detected by this validation check.	[2]
	Type Check - all characters should be Letters or Digits GY 3? 45 67 Y

[5](a)	Briefly explain the purpose of handshaking when used in connection with a computer and a printer.	[1]
	Checks that the printer is ready to receive data from the computer
(b)	Describe the communication that would take place between a computer and a printer before any data to be printed is sent to the printer.	[2]
	A signal is sent from the computer to the printer ('Are you ready?') A signal is sent back to the computer ('I'm ready)...and the data is then sent to the printer.

[6](a)	Explain how a record is added to:
(i)	a serial file	[1]
	a new record is added to the end of the file.
(ii)	a sequential file	[2]
	new record is added to the end of the file... ...then the file is sorted.
(b)	Records within a file can be fixed or variable length. Give one advantage of a fixed length record and one advantage of a variable length record.	[2]
	Fixed - faster processing of data Variable - file sizes are smaller so faster transfer/downloading
(c)	A factory with approximately two thousand employees has a payroll file which contains fixed length records stored in sequential order. At the end of every month, the file is used to calculate that month's pay for each employee and produce the pay slips.
(i)	Briefly explain why sequential order is the most appropriate in this situation.	[1]
	records are processed in the same order as other files that need updating (so faster processing)
(ii)	Briefly explain why fixed length records are the most appropriate in this situation.	[1]
	Each employee record has the same fields in them.

[7]	Operating systems can use different modes of operation including: real time transaction processing real time processing batch processing
(a)	Name an application where real time transaction processing is used, and give one reason why this mode of operation is used for this application.	[2]
	a holiday booking system data is immediately updated - avoids double bookings
(b)	Name an application where real time processing is used, and give one reason why this mode of operation is used for this application.	[2]
	process control such as glass manufacture ensures consistency and quality of finished product
(c)	Name an application where batch processing is used, and give one reason why this mode of operation is used for this application.	[2]
	payroll system can be processed on computer at off-peak times

[8](a)	A computer can have a 64-bit word length. What is meant by the term word in this context?	[1]
	the amount of data the computer can process at one time
(b)	Computer game consoles can use different word sizes. Explain the advantage of having a computer game console with a 128-bit word size rather than 64-bit.	[1]
	the console can process data faster (twice as fast)

[9]	A personal computer can use RAM cache and disc cache memory for storing data.
(i)	Why is cache memory used?	[1]
	to speed up processing of data
(ii)	Describe data that could be stored in:
	(I) RAM cache;	[1]
	data that is frequently needed
	(II) Disc cache.	[1]
	data being transferred to or from a disc

[10]	Bank customers can access their bank accounts on-line using the Internet. They are able to view statements, set up regular payments and transfer money. These accounts could be subject to malicious or accidental damage.
(i)	Describe what is meant by the term malicious damage and give an example of malicious damage that a customer could suffer with an on-line bank account.	[2]
	a deliberate act that affects a customer's account record. a hacker deliberately altering the amount of money in a customer account
	Explain how the bank could prevent malicious damage.
	use a username and password system of access
(ii)	Describe what is meant by the term accidental damage and give an example of accidental damage that a customer could suffer with an on-line bank account.	[2]
	unintentional altering of data in a customer record a customer makes a mistake when accessing their account that alters the data Eg. mis-typing a transfer amount
	Explain how the bank could prevent accidental damage.	[1]
	ask the user for confirmation of any changes

[11]	Cameras used by the police can photograph a vehicle's number plate. The number plate data is transmitted to a central database where it is used to identify the owner of the vehicle.
(i)	The number plate data is transmitted using a wide area network (WAN). Why is a local area network (LAN) not suitable for the transmission of this data?	[1]
	the area is too large for cabling
(ii)	If the output from a camera is analogue, what process must be carried out on the data before it can be used as input into a computer?	[1]
	analogue data must be converted to digital data
(iii)	Describe two ways the police could use this system to help them in detecting crime.	[2]
	they could check for stolen cars they could check if the car tax was up-to-date
(iv)	The Data Protection Act will apply to the data stored on the database. Describe three principles of the Data Protection Act.	[3]
	data must be collected fairly and lawfully data must always be kept up-to-date data must be kept secure

[12]	In the following question, additional credit (up to 3 marks) will be given if your answer demonstrates skill in written communication. Engineers working for a mining exploration company have to travel to remote areas of the world searching for oil, gas and other minerals. They collect geological and environmental data, take photographs and write reports. The engineers have lap top computers with fast Internet access and only visit an office when necessary. Describe how the engineers could make use of email and the Internet. Describe any benefits for the company of the engineers carrying out most of their work away from an office and give one reason why the engineers may occasionally have to visit an office.	[6+3]
	The engineers can use email to keep in touch with their company and other engineers out in the field. They can send their reports back to their office and receive replies within seconds, sending any photographs as attachments. The Internet could be used to obtain information about the locality, book travel tickets or check out the weather forecasts. Forums can be used to discuss and exchange ideas about their work. Videoconferencing with colleagues can be done to keep in touch or hold meetings. The company can receive and act on reports much faster using email and the Internet, and they do not have to provide expensive office space or facilities for their engineers. Engineers may have to visit the office to bring back physical objects such as rock samples...or attend the Christmas office party!