• (a) Describe two advantages that the store gains by using a bar code reader attached to a computerized point of sale system. (4 marks)
• (b) Describe one disadvantage to the store of using a bar code system. (2 marks).

Week 19 AQA 11.2 Jan 2001. Exam.

A video and games rental shop uses a database package to record membership details of customers who wish to borrow videos or games. The following details must be entered for each new member; full name, address, postcode and date of birth.

• (a) Name and describe a validation check that could be used when data is first entered into the following fields for a new member. Your validation check must be different in each case:

(i) Full_Name       (2 marks)
(ii) Postcode         (2 marks)
(iii) Date_of_Birth (2 marks)

• (b) The database package automatically generates a membership number. Explain why this is required. (2 marks).

Week 20. AQA 11.3. Jan 01 Exam.

A company is experiencing difficulties with its computerised flat file information storage and retrieval system. Describe three benefits that the company would gain by converting to a relational database system. (6 marks).

A large national bank updates customers' bank accounts overnight with deposits made during the previous day.

• (a) Name an appropriate type of processing that the bank could use for this operation. (1 mark)
• (b) Give three features of this type of processing. (3 marks).
  

Week 21. AQA 11.3 May 2002. Exam.

A flat file system is used to store orders taken by an electrical retailer.

Examples of records from the file click here for a table:

• (a) Referring to the examples above, describe the problems that have occurred by storing the data in a single flat file. (6 marks)
• (b) The flat file system is to be replaced by a relational database. What structures would be needed in this database to allow for the effective updating and retrieval
  of data? (4 marks).
  

Week 22. AQA 11.4 May 2001. Exam.

A small company is purchasing a new computer system and software. The new software includes an operating system, and generic package software which contains an application generator.

• (a) Give three tasks that are performed by an operating system. (3 marks)
• (b) State three characteristics of generic package software. Illustrate your answer with three different examples of the type of packages that could be chosen by the company.
  (The use of brand names will not gain credit.) (6 marks)
• (c) State two characteristics of an application generator. (2 marks)
  

Week 23. AQA. 11.4, 11.5. Jan 2003, Exam.

A scanner is to be purchased for use with a personal computer.

• (a) State one item of software that should be supplied with the scanner, and state why it is needed. (2 marks).
• (b) A map has been scanned and its image saved in a file. State three ways that the image of the map could be manipulated before it is printed. (3 marks).

• Option 1. Issue a prospectus containing the details of all the courses.
• Option 2. Publish course information on the college website.
• Option 3. Publish a course information booklet that can be downloaded from the college website.   (12 marks).

An international airport is open twenty-four hours a day for every day of the year. Its computer-based flight information system is essential to the smooth running of the airport.
Describe four factors that the airport must consider when designing backup and recovery procedures for this system.   (8 marks).

Most modern PCs make use of a GUI (graphical user interface) and have a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) word-processing package.

• (a) State four characteristics of a GUI. (4 marks)
• (b) Describe three advantages to the user of a WYSIWYG word-processing package. (6 marks).
  

A company is replacing the personal computers used by its employees. The staff have been offered the choice of a desktop personal computer, or a laptop computer.
Describe one advantage, and one disadvantage, to the staff of their choice.

Your advantages and disadvantages must be different in each case:

• (a) a desktop personal computer; (4 marks)
• (b) a laptop computer. (4 marks).
  

Week 28. AQA 11.9 Networks. Jan 2003. Exam.

The term used to describe the arrangement of computers in a network is topology.

• (a) Name, and draw diagrams to illustrate, two different Local Area Network (LAN) topologies. (4 marks).
• (b) State one different advantage for each topology that you have chosen.    (2 marks).