Tutorial/Homework 1

Total Mark: 51

Due date: Friday 7 March 2014

1. What is a computer? [1 mark]

2. Differentiate between hardware and software? [2 marks]
3. Describe four steps of the Information processing cycle and give a brief discussion of
each. [8 marks]

4. Describe the roles RAM and ROM play within a computer, and the factors that
distinguish the two types of memory. [4 marks]
5. Discuss the given scenarios explaining what happened:
7.1. A student switched the power button of a computer and there was no
response from the machine. What could be wrong, discuss the possibilities for the
cause of the computer not responding? (2)
7.2. A student switched a computer on, and the boot-up (start-up process)
began but nothing was ever shown on the screen. Discuss the possible causes for
this situation. (2)
7.3. Discuss the differences between primary memory and secondary storage
giving examples. Virtual memory must be included in the discussion. The
differences between access speed and cost should be discussed.(5)
7.4. A student working in the Great Hall Lab was working on a computer up
until a friend came and were engaged in some discussion for more than 10
minutes. During this discussion the student had stopped using the computer and
the computer screen turned blank, but when the student touched the keyboard or
moved the mouse the computer showed the active programs on the screen. What
was the cause of the screen to be blank, discuss the causes and mention memory
in you discussion. (2)
7.5. Surely you have noticed that when you switch-on a computer it will make
some sound, which is from the fan inside the system unit. Discuss the role played
by a fan inside a system unit. (2)
7.6. A student switched on a computer and everything seemed to work well at
the beginning until there was a message on the screen operating system could
not be found. Discuss the possible causes for that. (3)

[16 Marks]

8. Indicate whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F)

8.1. Many people believe that computer literacy is vital to success in todays world.
8.2. Hardware consists of a series of instructions that tells the computer what actions to
perform and how to perform them.
8.3. The circuitry of the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board
called the server.
8.4. Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental
waste generated when using a computer.
8.5. The client controls access to the resources on a network.
8.6. Web pages rarely have built-in connections, or links, to other documents, graphics,
other web pages, or Web sites.
8.7. A video sharing community is a type of social networking Web site that allows users
to store and share their personal videos.
8.8. A text message is a short note, typically fewer than 300 characters, sent to or from a
smart phone or other mobile device.
8.9. Because embedded computers are components in larger products, they usually are
small and have limited hardware.
8.10. Telecommuting is a work arrangement in which employees work away from a
companys standard workplace and often communicate with the office through the
computer.

[1 mark X 10 = 10 marks]

9. Match the terms with their definitions. Your answer should be the question number
and the letter of the matching definition e.g. 1. a or 1. C

Terms Definitions
1. processor a. Interprets and carries out basic instructions that
operate a computer.
2. storage device b. Carry out the instructions in a computer program.
3. online social c. Combines text, graphics, audio, and video into one
network application.
4. application d. Programs designed to make users more productive
software and/ or assist them with personal tasks.
5. install e. A system that attempts to imitate the behaviour of a
human brain.
6. execute f. Mobile device on which you can store, organise, and
play digital media.
7. portable media g. Online community that encourages members to
player share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music,
and videos with other registered users.
8. digital camera h. Set up software to work with a computer and other
hardware components.
9. multimedia i. Device that allows users to take pictures and store
photographed images digitally, instead of on
traditional film.
10. neural networks j. Records (write) and /or retrieves (reads) items o and
from storage media.