Data Transmission
Name the method of transmission where bits are sent one at a time over a single wire.
Serial data transmission
What are the three main components of a robotic system (Sensors, Microprocessor, X)
X = Actuators (or mechanical components / framework).
Define 'malware' and provide two specific examples.
Definition: Software designed to gain unauthorized access to or disrupt, damage, or compromise a computer system.
Examples: (Choose any two)
Virus
Worm
Trojan horse
Spyware
Adware
Ransomware
What is an IDE and name one feature it provides for programmers?
What it is: An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to programmers for software development.
Feature: Code editor, auto-completion, auto-correction, error diagnostics, translators, run-time environment, or prettyprint.
Name the bus that carries signals to coordinate all computer activities.
Control Bus
What is the difference between simplex and full-duplex transmission?
Simplex transmission: Data travels in one direction only (e.g., from a computer to a printer).
Full-duplex transmission: Data travels in both directions simultaneously (e.g., in a telephone conversation or broadband internet connection).
Describe one ethical concern regarding the use of AI.
Job displacement / Loss of employment: As AI systems and automation become more capable, human workers in various sectors may lose their jobs.
Algorithmic bias in decision-making, privacy concerns over large-scale data collection, or lack of accountability for AI decisions.)
What does HTTP stand for, and what is its role?
Definition: HyperText Transfer Protocol.
Role: It is the set of rules (protocol) used to transmit and transfer web pages, text, images, and other data between a web server and a web browser over the Internet.
What is the difference between a high-level and a low-level programming language?
High-Level Language: Uses programmer-friendly, human-readable syntax (closer to English), is machine-independent, and must be compiled or interpreted before execution.
Low-Level Language: Uses machine code (binary) or assembly mnemonics, is machine-dependent, requires direct hardware knowledge, and allows direct manipulation of computer hardware.
Explain one advantage of an SSD over an HDD
Faster read/write access speeds: Solid-State Drives (SSDs) have no moving mechanical parts, resulting in significantly faster access times and file transfer speeds compared to Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).
lower power consumption, higher durability/shock resistance, and silent operation.)
What is the primary function of an Echo Check?
To detect data transmission errors by having the receiving device send the received data back to the sender, which then compares the original data with the returned data to check if they match.
Define an 'Automated System'
An automated system is a combination of hardware (sensors, microprocessors, and actuators) and software designed to perform tasks automatically without human intervention by gathering data, processing it, and taking appropriate actions.
Describe the purpose of a 'cookie' stored on a user's computer.
A cookie is a small text file saved on a user's computer by a web browser to store user data and track session activity.
Purposes include:
Saving user login details
Holding items in an online shopping cart
Tracking user preferences (e.g., language selection or dark mode)
Storing personal details to personalize website content
List three main functions of an Operating System
Managing memory
Providing a user interface
Managing files
Handling interrupts
Managing peripherals and drivers
Managing multitasking
Providing system security and managing user accounts
What is the function of the Program Counter (PC)
The Program Counter (PC) holds the memory address of the next instruction that is to be fetched and executed by the CPU.
Describe the role of a 'timeout' in an Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) protocol.
A timeout is a set time interval during which the sender waits to receive an acknowledgement (ACK) from the receiver.
If no acknowledgement is received before the timeout expires, the sender assumes the data (or acknowledgement) was lost or corrupted and automatically resends the packet.
What is an 'Expert System'?
An expert system is an AI application designed to mimic the decision-making ability of a human expert. It consists of a knowledge base, a rule base, an inference engine, and a user interface.
Explain the function of a Domain Name Server (DNS)
A DNS stores a database of domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. Its role is to look up and translate a human-readable domain name entered by a user into the corresponding numerical IP address required to locate the server on the Internet.
What is an 'interrupt' in a computer system?
An interrupt is a signal sent from a device or software to the processor requesting immediate attention, causing the CPU to temporarily suspend its current execution to handle the request using an interrupt service routine.
State all the components of the Von Neumann CPU architecture.
Control Unit (CU)
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Registers (such as the Program Counter, Memory Address Register, Memory Data Register, Accumulator, and Current Instruction Register)
How does symmetric encryption differ from asymmetric encryption?
Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same single secret key to both encrypt and decrypt the data.
Asymmetric Encryption: Uses a pair of mathematically linked keys—a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption.
Define 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI) in terms of machine learning.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating systems that simulate intelligent behavior, where the system collects data, applies rules, reasons, and automatically learns and adapts its processes or data.
What is a 'firewall' and how does it protect a network?
What it is: A software- or hardware-based security system that sits between a private network and an external network (such as the Internet).
How it protects: It monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic against a set of predefined rules, blocking unauthorized access, malicious traffic, or unauthorized data transmission.
State one advantage of using a compiler instead of an interpreter.
Faster Execution: The compiled program produces a standalone executable file, allowing it to run faster without requiring re-translation every time it is run.
The source code is kept private as only the compiled executable file needs to be distributed.)
What is 'Secondary Storage' and why is it needed?
What it is: Storage that is not directly accessed by the CPU.
Why it is needed: It provides non-volatile, permanent storage for files, data, applications, and operating system software so they are saved when the computer is turned off.