CP2 Computing January 2008

[1]	A golf club stores personal details of members. These include members' email addresses and subscription payment details.
(a)(i)	The club sends emails to its members about forthcoming events and competitions. Give two reasons, apart from cost, why the club may prefer to use email for this communication instead of using conventional post.	[2]
	emails will arrive quicker than conventional letters one email can be sent to a number of addresses (if a group of members' email addresses is created)
(ii)	Describe one problem that may arise for the club from using email in this way.	[1]
	viruses could be spread
(b)	The club is registered with the Data Protection Commissioner and stores the data securely. Describe three other principles of the Data Protection Act with which the golf club will need to comply.	[3]
	data should be up-to-date and accurate data should only be used for specified purpose data should not be kept longer than is necessary

[2]	Personal computers can be purchased over the Internet. All computers are supplied with a hard disc. Other secondary storage devices are available from the supplier at extra cost. State two additional secondary storage devices that could be purchased, giving a typical use for each device.
	CD/DVD writer... ...backup large files Flash memory stick... ...for transferring files from one computer to another

[3](a)	Draw diagrams which show a bus network and a star network.	[2]
	Bus Network :

	Star Network :

(b)	Give one advantage of using a star network rather than a bus network.	[1]
	one faulty cable will not affect the rest of the network
(c)	Describe two advantages of networked computers over standalone computers.	[2]
	hardware such as a printer can be shared
(d)	Spooling is used for printing on a network. Give one reason why spooling is used and explain in detail how spooling works.	[3]
	user can carry on working and does not have to wait for print job to finish. documents to be printed are stored on hard disc queue ..and printed in order when printer is free

[4]	Data held in a database by a mobile phone company include: Mobile phone number, for example 07865 234564 Credit limit, which will be between £10 and £100 inclusive Describe suitable validation checks that could be carried out as the data is entered, giving an example of invalid data that would be detected by the validation check described in each case. A different validation check must be used in each case.	[4]
	Mobile phone number : Type check (must be digits)... ...0786G 234564 Credit limit : Range check (must be between 10 and 100)... ...120

[5]	Handwriting recognition and voice recognition are common methods of input available on hand held computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).
(i)	Handwriting recognition can be used for input of data. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using handwriting recognition as a method for input rather than using a small keyboard.	[2]
	Input screen can be small as there is no need for a keyboard Accuracy problems if handwriting is poor.
(ii)	Give one reason why a stylus (pointer) and touch screen is used for command input rather than using handwriting recognition.	[1]
	It is quicker to select an item rather than type it in
(iii)	A particular PDA uses voice recognition for inputting commands. Why is voice recognition a suitable method for command input?	[1]
	leaves hands free for other tasks

[6](a)(i)	Name the section of memory between the central processing unit (CPU) and main memory that is used to store data temporarily.	[1]
	Cache
(ii)	Why is this type of memory used?	[1]
	data can be accessed faster than from main memory
(iii)	Give an appropriate use for this type of memory.	[1]
	storing the most frequently used data
(b)	What is the name given to the smallest unit of storage that is transferred between backing store and main store in one disc read or one disc write operation?	[1]
	Block
(c)	Name the pathway that carries data between the CPU and main memory.	[1]
	Data bus
(d)	What is the name given to the hardware and software needed for communication to take placer between the processor and a peripheral device?	[1]
	Interface

[7]	A car showroom has over a hundred cars for sale. Details of all cars for sale and of all cars sold are kept in a filing cabinet in the showroom office. When a car is sold details of the sale are recorded on paper and stored in the filing cabinet.
(i)	Sometimes the paper records become lost or illegible. Describe two other possible problems that the sales staff may experience with the current paper-based system.	[2]
	it may be slow to find a particular record it is difficult to make changes to a record
(ii)	The manager decides to replace the paper-based system with a new computer system.
I	What would be the most suitable type of software to use?	[1]
	Database management system (DBMS)
II	Explain how this new computer system would overcome the problems that you described in part (i).	[2]
	It is fast to find a record with a DBMS Changing data on a record is easy - use keyboard to edit data and save it back.

[8](a)	Describe each of the following computer terms:	[2]
	Record
	a collection of related fields
	Field
	a single data item
(b)	Describe the difference in the organisation of serial access files and sequential access files.	[2]
	Serial : new records are added to the end of the file Sequential : records are sorted in order of a key field
(c)	A castle in Wales has hundreds of visitors every day. As visitors enter the castle they are asked for their name and address which are saved to a file on a computer. The file is used once a year to print address labels to send promotional literature to every visitor. State, with a reason, the most suitable file organisation for this application.	[2]
	Serial file visitor's addresses can be added onto the end of the file as they occur

[9](a)	Explain what is meant by the term batch processing, and name an application where batch processing is appropriate.	[2]
	jobs (program and data) are collected together and processed at off-peak times (Eg. overnight) Payroll
(b)	Name an application where real time transaction processing is necessary. Explain how real time transaction processing operates in this case and give one reason why real time transaction processing is necessary.	[3]
	Train booking system When a customer books a seat on a train, the file is immediately updated... ...so it will avoid double-booking (two customers booking the same seat)

[10]	A university has a web site accessed via the Internet and a staff intranet.
(i)	What is the difference between the Internet and an intranet?	[1]
	Internet is accessible by anybody from anywhere, the intranet is only accessible by staff in the university with authorisation.
(ii)	Giving an example, explain what type of information the university may have on its staff intranet but not on its Internet web site.	[2]
	information that is only meant for university staff... ...internal telephone numbers / staff email addresses etc

[11]	In the following question, additional credit (up to 3 marks) will be gained if your answer demonstrates skill in written communication.
	A company employs thousands of service staff who visit customers' homes to repair and service gas appliances. Currently they operate from regional centres where they park their vans each night, collect spare parts and are given a list of jobs to complete each day. The company decides to close all regional centres and move administration staff to one national centre. Under these new arrangements the service staff will take their vans home and will be issued with lap top computers. Jobs will be emailed to each of the service staff every day and spare parts may be ordered from the company's web site and delivered directly to the service staff. Apart from the lap top computer, describe additional computer hardware that each of the service staff would require. Describe any benefits and drawbacks for the company. Discuss the effect closing the regional centres would have on the service staff and other staff employed at the regional centres.	[6+3]
	Service staff would require network cards for their laptops so they can connect to the Internet, as well as printers for printing out their work schedules, invoices etc. The regional centres can be sold and money is saved from the upkeep, heating and lighting of all these because it is cheaper to use one national centre. There is also no need to provide car parking spaces or restaurant facilities for the staff. The staff should be able to complete more jobs as they can drive straight to them. There may be problems with ordering of the parts if there are delays, and postage and delivery charges will need to be paid. The company will also need to pay for the laptops for the staff. Service staff may need to be trained to use the new system as they may not be expert computer users. There may be job losses at the regional centres, or the administrative staff may have to travel further to work at the national centre.