Computer Studies Paper 2, WASSCE (SC), 2018

Question 1

 

(a)  (i)         Define the term computer system.
      (ii)          List the major components of the computer system and give one example of each.
      (b)  (i)         List two activities involved in transferring data into information.
            (ii)        Write the following acronyms in full: EDSAC; EDVAC.

 

Observation

 

  • (i)  Computer system is defined as an electronic gadget (components/parts/devices/machine)   

which accepts/access data, stores data, manipulates data and produces output using step-by-step instructions. 
OR
Computer system is defined as components/parts/devices/machine in hardware and software forms needed to create information that could be stored or used as an output.
OR
Computer system is a functional components/parts/devices/machine that have the hardware, software and user working together for data processing activities thereby producing the output
     
(ii)            


Components of Computer System

Examples

System Unit

  • CPU/Processor/ system clock
  • Memory
  • Power Supply / Cooling fan
  • Motherboards and its components (e.g. ports, expansion slots)
  • Connectors/ Data cables
  • Add-on cards (VGA, sound card, NIC)
  • Hard drive, floppy drive, CD drive, Zip drive.

Peripherals

Note: Any external device that provides input to the computer or receives output from the computer is referred to as peripherals

  • Keyboard/MIDI keyboard/ Mouse/Joystick/Scanner/microphones
  • Monitor/Speaker/Printer/Plotter/Multimedia projector/T.V screen
  • Hard drive, Flash drive/External hard drives / Media card reader
  • Digital camcorders/Digital mixers/MIDI equipment/Video camera
  • Mobile phones/Pen tablet 

Application Software

  • General purpose applications

Word processing/spreadsheet/database/desktop publishing/graphics/presentation/web design

  • Special purpose applications (user application)

Accounting /payroll package/ Educational software/ Simulation software /Business information system software/ Entertainment software/ Multimedia software/Enterprise infrastructure software/Media development software/ product Engineering software.

System Software

  • Operating system
  • Utility software
  • Translators

 

OR


Components of Computer System

Examples

HARDWARE

  • CPU/Processor/ system clock
  • Memory
  • Power Supply
  • Motherboards and its components (e.g. Ports, Expansion slots)
  • Connectors/ Data cables
  • Add-on cards (VGA, sound card, NIC)
  • Keyboard/MIDI keyboard/ Mouse/Joystick/Scanner/Microphones
  • Monitor/Speaker/Printer/Plotter/Multimedia projector/T.V screen
  • Hard drive, Flash drive/External hard drives / Media card reader
  • Digital camcorders/Digital mixers/MIDI equipment/Video camera
  • Mobile phones/pen tablet

 

 

SOFTWARE

  • General purpose applications

Word processing/Spreadsheet/Database/Desktop publishing/Graphics/Presentation/Web design

  • Special purpose applications (user application)

Accounting /payroll package/ Educational software/ Simulation/ Business information system software/ Entertainment/ Multimedia software/Enterprise infrastructure software/Media development software/ Product Engineering software.

 

  • Operating system
  • Utility software
  • Translators

 

(b)       (i)        Activities involved in transferring data into information

  • Data capturing/ collection/ gathering/ receiving
  • Classification/Sorting
  • Coding
  • Summarizing
  • Input
  • Data Processing/calculating /editing
  • Validation
  • Translating

                                                                                                             
(ii)       (I)        EDSAC:  Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator                         

           (II)       EDVAC:  Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
                                   

The question tested candidates’ knowledge of computer system and history of computers.

The chief examiner reported that most candidates demonstrated good knowledge of the areas tested.