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MMU 111 – Fundamentals of Digital Competence
Some Topics -Some Tutorial/Revision Questions
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1. Define the following terms:-
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(a) Computer - An electronic device that accepts data as input, processes this data based on
some instructions, and gives information as output
(b) Data - Raw facts, symbols and figures found in a user environment
(c) Information - Processed data that is meaningful (can be used to make decisions)
(d) Program - Set of instructions, written in a computer understandable language, that guide
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a computer on how to perform some task
(f) Booting - Process of a computer starting when powered on - starts by a series of clock
ticks, CPU looking for the BIOS for instructions on where to find the operating system,
once the operating system is found, it loaded into the main memory (RAM)
(g) BIOS - Basic Input Output System - A memory chip in ROM which stores the basic
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(h) POST - Power-On-Self-Test - Series of diagnostic tests done by the BIOS to determine if
the keyboard, RAM, disk drivers, display (screen) and other hardware are working properly
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 1
3. State any five advantages of computers.
Advantages of computers
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• Accuracy -
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• Diligence - Free from tiredness or boredom
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Limitations of computers
• No feelings
5. Identify the main four major components of the basic hardware of a computer
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Four main components of a computer
• Storage - Memory stores data and instructions before, during and after processing
Cache Memory
Cache memory are small high-speed memory cells closer to the CPU than RAM.
Cache memory is used to temporarily hold instructions and data the CPU is likely to
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re-use
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Hardware
These are the visible and touchable components of the computer like the mouse, keyboard,
monitor, RAm modules, harddisk etc
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8. Describe any four characteristics of computers
Characteristics of Computers
(a) Speed - Computers can perform tasks faster than humans. A computer can perform 3-4
millions instructions per second
(b) Accuracy - Computers are accurate. Suppose a human calculates faster but commits lots
of errors, such results are useless.
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(c) Diligence - Computers are free from tiredness, fatigue or loss of concentration. It can
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perform calculations for hours without getting tired
(e) Storage - Computers can store large amount of information. Any item of data or any
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instruction stored in the memory can be retrieved by the computer at lightning speeds.
(f) Clear and Complete instructions - A computer needs a clear and complete set of
instructions of how to perform a task. If you give it wrong instructions, it will process
data based on the wrong instruction and the results will be meaningless.
(i) No Experience - However much a computer performs the same task, it does not gain
experience. However, with machine learning and Artificial Intelligence, this is changing.
Today, its possible to train a computer.
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9. What do you understand by the phrase GIGO.
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GIGO
Garbage in Garbage Out - This means if you give a computer wrong instructions and or wrong
data, the output produced will be wrong
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10. Outline various classifications of computers with respect to size, purpose and data handled.
Classification of computers based to size purpose and data handled
• Size
– Mini computers
– Super computers
.
– Mainframes
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– Micro Computers
• Purpose
• Data handling
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– Digital computers - process digital/discreet data
– Analogue computers - process continuously changing data
– Hybrid computers - process both discreet and analogue data
11. State two types of CPU architectures/ distinguish between RISC and CISC
CPU Architectures: CISC and RISC
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There are two types of fundamental CPU architecture:
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(a) Complex Instruction Set Computers (CISC).
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CISC is the most prevalent and established microprocessor architecture, while RISC is a relative
newcomer.
CISC
Large instruction set
Complex, powerful instructions
The difference between the two architectures is the relative complexity of the instruction sets and
underlying electronic and logic circuits in CISC microprocessors. Microprocessors must perform
the following activities:
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12. With an illustration, explain the basic computer organization. Briefly explain its functional units.
As shown in Figure 1 the four main components of a computer are connected by a fifth component
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called buses.
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Input devices, bus, storage, processing unit, output devices. What are they?
• Input devices - An input device reads data and instructions from input media and
enters it into the computer memory in a coded form (in a form the computer can process)
• Bus (Buses) - A bus is a communication media that transfers data and information
between computer components
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 4
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Figure 1: Basic Organization of a Computer
• Memory (Storage) - Storage unit that hold data, instructions and information before,
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during and after processing.
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– Secondary memory - Harddrive, CDs, DVDs etc
• Processing Unit - The central processing unit is responsible for processing data into
information. It reads data and instructions from memory, process data based on the
instructions and writes information back into memory or sends it directly to the output
device.
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CPU has three main components:
• Output devices - Decodes information from the computer memory and present it to the
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For instance, music file is stored as a series of 1s and 0s in memory, but an output
device (speaker) decodes these 1s and 0s and present it as a sound to a user
(a) Control Unit - Sends control signals which controls and coordinates all other components
of the computer
(b) Arithmetic and Logic Unit - ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations. This unit
does the actual processing of data
(c) Registers - Stores data and instructions that the ALU is currently executing
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 5
14. What are registers with regard to computer memory?
Register
These are small high speed memory cells located in the CPU, they are used to hold data and
instructions currently being executed by the ALU
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Virtual memory
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This is part of secondary memory (harddisk) that the operating system treats like primary
memory (RAM)
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16. What is a printer? Explain two main categories of printers.
What is a printer
A printer is an external hardware output device that takes the electronic data stored on a
Types of printers Ra
computer or other device and generates a hard copy
• Inkjet - produces hard copy by spraying streams of quick drying ink on paper
• Laser jet - The image to be printed is drawn onto the drum by using a laser to ”carve-out”
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positive charges and leave behind negative ones
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17. Explain three main categories of computer software
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(a) System Software - is a program that manages and supports the computer resources and
operations of a computer system while it executes various tasks such as processing data
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and information, controlling hardware components, and allowing users to use application
software.
(b) Application Software - consists of Programs that direct computers to perform specific
information processing activities for end users. These programs are called application
packages because they direct the processing required for a particular use, or application,
which users want to accomplish.
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(c) Programming Languages - Now this is a kind of computer software which is used
exclusively by computer programmers. Unless we are also programmers, we are unlikely to
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Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 6
18. Explain two types/categories of system software
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– Linux
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– Windows (Windows 10, Windows XP, Windows 8)
– Android
– Unix
– Mac OS
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• Utility programs - These are the programs that help the operations and management
of a computer system by providing a variety of support services to let the computer
hardware and other system programs run efficiently.
– Antivirus
– Backup facility
– Disk cleaners
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There are many system utility programmes which include but not limited to:
– File compressors
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– File/data recovery
– Disk defragmenters
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• Device drivers - Software that enables one or more hardware devices to communicate
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Functions of the OS
(a) Resource manager - Manages computer memory, CPU and other components. Its re-
sponsible for allocating and de-allocating resources to programs/processes.
(b) Task Management - Manages programs in computer system to enable them run simul-
taneously
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(c) Process management - Responsible for starting, stopping, suspending and resuming of
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(e) User interface - Provides an interface that enables the user to easily interact with the
computer
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20. What is multitasking
Multitasking
21. Distinguish between system and application software citing one example for each.
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System and Application software
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• System software is a program that manages and supports the computer resources and
operations of a computer system while it executes various tasks such as processing data
and information, controlling hardware components, and allowing users to use application
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software. examples are operating system e.g windows, utility programs
• Application software consists of Programs that direct computers to perform specific infor-
mation processing activities for end users. These programs are called application packages
because they direct the processing required for a particular use, or application, which users
want to accomplish.
• Web page - Is a document that can be accessed via a browser and normally may contains
links to other web pages
Data communication is the transmission of electronic data over some media. The media may be
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cables, microwaves
Network topology
A network topology is the layout of the interconnections of the nodes in a computer network
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 8
26. State any four advantages that computer network will bring to any organization.
Advantages of computer networks
• File sharing - A person sitting at one workstation of a network can easily see the files
present on the other workstation, provided he is authorized to do so.
• Resource sharing - A connected resource (like a printer) can be shared by several people
• Increased storage capacity - As there is more than one computer on a network which
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can easily share files, the issue of storage capacity gets resolved to a great extent.
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• Increased cost efficiency - By sharing resources like software and printers, cost is re-
duced
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27. What are the disadvantages of computer networks?
Disadvantages of computer networks
• Security - If a computer is a standalone, physical access becomes necessary for any kind of
data theft. However, if a computer is on a network, a computer hacker can get unauthorized
access by using different tools
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• Spread of viruses - Computer viruses get spread on a network easily because of the
interconnectivity of workstations.
• Expensive to set up - The initial set up cost of a computer network can be high depending
on the number of computers to be connected
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• Dependency on main server - When the main server comes down, the whole network
is affected
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• Guided media - Involves use of physical connections between the communicating entities.
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– Coaxial cables
– Twisted pair cables
– Ethernet cables
– Copper wires
– Fiber optic cables
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commonly referred to as wireless where the communicating entities are connected without
use of cable. These entities communicate using waves/signals that are transmitted in the
air. These connections include:-
– Blue-tooth
– Infra-red waves
– Micro-waves
– Radio waves
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 9
– Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)
• Coaxial cables
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• Ethernet cables
• Copper wires
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30. With the aid of diagrams, describe Star, Mesh, Token ring and bus LAN topologies. State three
advantages and three disadvantages of each:-
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A bus network topology is a network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a
shared communications line/cables, called a bus.
Advantages
• Easy to use
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• Cheap
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• Easy to extend
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Disadvantages
• Hard to troubleshoot
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Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 10
Star network topology
A star topology links the computers by individual cables to a central unit, usually a hub
Advantages
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• Can use different types of connection
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Disadvantages
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• Expensive compared to bus
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Each node is connected to its left and right neighbour node, such that all nodes are connected
in a loop and that each node can reach each other node by traversing nodes left- or rightwards
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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Expensive to install
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 11
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Mesh network topology
Mesh network is a network setup where each computer and network device is interconnected
with one another
Advantages
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• Multiple devices can transmit simultaneously
Disadvantages
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• Expensive to setup
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• Hard to maintain
• Redundancy is connections
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31. Write in full
EROM PROM EPROM EEPROM
• EROM – Erasable Read Only Memory
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32. Explain the following computer specification: Intel 2.40GHz, 200GB, 512MB, 15”.
Meaning of Computer Specifications above. Raf amejibu hii
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Intel - Type of processor in the computer
2.40GHz - Speed of the processor, 2.40 Giga Hertz
200GB - Capacity of the Harddisk
512MB - Capacity of RAM
15” - Size of the screen in inches, measured diagonally
Types of buses
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• Address bus - Also called memory. transports memory addresses which the processor
wants to access in order to read or write data. It is a unidirectional bus
• Data bus - transfers instructions coming from or going to the processor. It is a bidirec-
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tional bus.
• Control bus - Also called command bus. transports orders and synchronization signals
coming from the control unit and travelling to all other hardware components. It is a
bidirectional bus, as it also transmits response signals from the hardware.
• Input devices
– Mouse
– Keyboard
– Scanner
– Microphone
– Camera
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– Touch pad
– Digitizing pen
• Output devices
– Monitor
– Printer
– Speakers
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36. Outline any three differences between RAM and ROM.
Differences between RAM and ROM
• RAM is Random Access Memory, while ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
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• RAM is volatile and is erased when the computer is switched off. ROM is non-volatile and
generally cannot be written to.
• RAM is used for both read and write while ROM is used only for reading.
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• RAM needs electricity to flow to retain information while ROM is permanent.
• Solid state - Non-volatile read and write memory made from silicon chips. Used to make
USB memory sticks (Flash memory)
38. Describe four steps that make up the information processing cycle.
Fetch-Execute Cycle
(a) Instruction Fetch (IF) - The fetch cycle begins with retrieving the address stored in
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the program counter. The address stored is some valid address in the memory holding the
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instruction to be executed. The Central Processing Unit completes this step by fetching
the instruction stored at the address from the memory and transferring this instruction to a
special register to hold the instruction to be executed. The program counter is incremented
to point to the next address from which the new instruction is to be fetched.
(b) Instruction Decode (ID) - The decode cycle is used for interpreting the instruction that
was fetched in the Fetch Cycle. The operands are retrieved from the addresses if the need
be.
(c) Data Fetch (DF) - To load an instruction or piece of data from memory into a CPU’s
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 14
resister.
(d) Instruction Execute (EX) - From the instruction register, the data forming the in-
struction is decoded by the control unit. It then passes the decoded information as a
sequence of control signals to the relevant functional units of the CPU to perform the
actions required by the instruction such as reading values from registers, passing them to
the Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) to add them together and writing the result back to a
register. A condition signal is sent back to the control unit by the ALU if it is involved.
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(e) Result Return (RR) - The result generated by the operation is stored in the main
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memory, or sent to an output device. Based on the condition feedback from the ALU, the
PC is either incremented to address the next instruction or updated to a different address
where the next instruction will be fetched. The cycle is then repeated.
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39. Explain any FOUR methods of measuring the processing power of a computer.
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(b) FLoating point Operations Per Second (FLOPS) - average number of floating point
operations per second (on some machines one instruction can do several floating point
operations).
• Hard copy - Hard copy refers to the digital document file which is printed on paper or
other material like transparency. In hard copy the output is printed on the paper.
• Soft copy - Soft copy refers to the digital document file or electronic version of a document
which is not printed on paper
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Embedded software
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43. Represent the binary 0.10101 as a decimal number.
Binary to decimal
(a) Starting from the left-most digit after decimal point (.), assign each digit a power, starting
with -1
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(c) Add the multiplications in (b) above
0 . 1 0 1 0 1
−1 −2 −3 −4 −5
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=1 × 2−1 + 0 × 2−2 + 1 × 2−3 + 0 × 2−4 + 1 × 2−5
=1 ×
1 1
= + +
1
2 8 32
1
21 2
1
2
1
+0+1× 3 +0+1× 5
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1
xn
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=0.6562510
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44. Calculate the range limitations for a 6-bit binary number.
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47. Give two reasons why the microcomputer is the most common type of computer today.
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Binary to decimal
(a) Starting from the right-most digit, assign each digit a power, starting with 0
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1 1 1 0 1 0 1
6 5 4 3 2 1 0
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=1 × 26 + 1 × 25 + 1 × 24 + 0 × 23 + 1 × 22 + 0 × 21 + 1 × 20
=64 + 32 + 16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1
=11710
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50. Provide the BCD equivalent of 5738.
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BCD
5738 = 0101 0111 0011 1000
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51. Represent the number 0.8125 in binary number system.
53. Computers in the fifth generation can be thought as possessing human-like characteristics. In your
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own opinion, justify the above proposition
System software
• Operating systems - An operating system (OS) is system software that manages com-
puter hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs
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• Device drivers - Software that enables one or more hardware devices to communicate
with the operating system
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hardware device. It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates
with the other computer hardware
• Presentation software - Enables one to create slides for presentation of ones idea. eg
Microsoft PowerPoint
• Web browsers - Enables one to locate and retrieve data in the web. examples are Google
Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox
• Multimedia software - Helps in creating or recording images, audio and or video files.
Dr. Raphael Angulu, MMU 111 SCI, MMUST, 2023: Revision Questions 17
Commonly used in animation e.g. Windows Media player, VLC media player
• Graphics software - Enable one to edit or make changes to an image. e.g Photoshop
and paintShop
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• Word processing software - Helps in formating and manipulating text e.g. Microsoft
Word
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Open source
This type of software is available along with the source code that allows you to modify the
software, and even add features to the software. These could either be free or paid. Moodle and
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Apache Web Server are some examples.
57. State the advantages and disadvantages of both tailor-made and packaged application software.
Advantages and Disadvantages
– Higher chances of user adoption since they are involved in development process
– Tailored support and maintenance
– Scalability - You can add components
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58. Define the following and give their applicability in computing.
Interpreters compilers and Assembler
(a) Interpreters - A high-level programming language translator that translates and runs
the program at the same time. It converts one program statement into machine language,
executes it, and then proceeds to the next statement.
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particular programming language and turns them into machine language or ”code” that a
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computer’s processor uses
(c) Assembler - An assembler is a program that converts assembly language into machine
code. It takes the basic commands and operations from assembly code and converts them
into binary code that can be recognized by a specific type of processor.
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59. What is a device driver? Give examples of device drivers.
Device driver
(a) Capacity, representing the global volume of information (in bits) that the memory can
store
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(b) Access time, corresponding to the time interval between the read/write request and the
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(c) Cycle time, representing the minimum time interval between two successive accesses
(d) Throughput, which defines the volume of information exchanged per unit of time, ex-
pressed in bits per second
(e) Non-volatility, which characterises the ability of a memory to store data when it is not
being supplied with electricity
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