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ZTNTB ABWE SCHOOL EXAMIT{ATIOI{S COUNCIL
General Certificate of Edueation Advanced Level
COMPUTIT{G 9195t2
PAPER 2
NOVEMBER 2O1(} SESSION 3 hows
Additional materiais:
Answer paper
TIME 3 hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Write your name, Centre number and candidate number in the spaces provided on the answer
paper/answer booklet.
Answer all questions.
Write your aoswers on the separate ans\ ,er paper provided.
If you r'rr. *or. than one sheet of paper, fasten the sheets together.
INF'ORMATION F'OR CANDIDATES
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in yow answers.
This question paper consists of 3 printed pages and 1 blank page.
Copyright: Zimbabwe School Examinations Council, N20 I 0.
r.F,,--
1
L
L (a) Explain in detail the meaning of interrupt handling. I3l
(b) Outline the techniques that allow computer peripherals to operate
independent of the computer. t6l
(c) State and desmibe three database models. t6l
Listed below are fypes of systems. Outline three features of each.
(a) Batch processing t3l
(b) Multi-user online system t3l
(c) Distributed systems t3l
(d) Control system t3l
(a) Advanced Level computing students are required to submit their
assignments using email,
State three advantages of using this method. i3]
(b) State two advantages of using ordinary mail over the use of email. L2J
4 (a) Outline the algorithm for binary search, t10l
(b) Apply the binary search to the following 8 keys of records in a file to trace for
the key 7.
2 5 7 I 1i t7 23 31. t3l
(a) Explain the difference between sorting and merging and state when each
technique would be used.
t4l i,v
(b) There are different sorting and merging algorithms. what criteria might be
used to determine which particular algorithm to use? L4l
(a) File organisations can take various forms as indicated belora':
(i) serial files
(ii) sequential files
(iir) indexed sequential files
(iv) random files
State two features and one application of each file orgarrisation. l12l
)
(b) Define multiJevel index. 121
9195/2 N2010
3
7 A newly established supermarket in Harare has several checkout points, each
with a terminal connected to a central computer, Items on sale are bar coded
and prices are indicated on the shelf edges. At checkout point each bar code is
read into the computer and the customer's bill is printed listing the item name,
quantity bought, and their prices, with the total to be paid.
(a) Describe how the system generates a customer's bill.
t3l
(b) What needs to be done when certain prices change?
t21
(c) Explain the other method of inputting data when the bar code reader fails. tll
8 Describe the following high level languages and give one example for each.
(a) imperative programming language [3]
(b) logic programming language i3l
(c) functional programming language i3l
(d) special purpose language I3l
9 The program Radix-Convert, listed below calls a recursive procedure, OUT. The
progranl is run, and the values 46 and 3 are input. Write down, in the correct order,
ali the values printed. Show yow reasoning clearly. [Link] that in this language,
X DIW gives the integral part of the quotient when X is divided by y and x mod y
gives the remainder)
program RADIX-CONVERT
declare integers a, b
input a,
input b,
prlrrt (a, b)
'*' procedwe OUT (x, y)
declare integers o, b
a: x DMy
b:xMODy
lf a > O then OUT (a y)
Print (b)
End oUT l7l
10 A college uses a range of software packages from different suppliers. Each
package has a different user interface. The college is considering changing
its interface.
(a) Give four advantages of having a cofitmon user interface. t41
(b) Explain how the features ofgraphical user interface protect the users from
Tping or responding to obscure operating system commands and cOdes. t4]
9195/2 N2010
