ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level
COMPUTING 9195/2
PAPER 2
NOVEMBER 2010 SESSION 3 hours
Additional materials:
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 answers on the separate answer paper provided.
If you use more than one sheet of paper, fasten the sheets together.
INFORMATION FOR 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 present~tion in your answers.
This question paper consists of 3 printed pages and 1 blank page.
Copyright: Zimbabwe School Examinations Council, N2010.
©ZIMSEC N20 10 [Turn over
2
1 (a) Explain in detail the meaning of interrupt handling. [3]
(b) Outline the techniques that allow computer peripherals to operate
independent of the computer. [6]
(c) State and describe three database models. [6]
2 Listed below are types of systems. Outline three features of each.
(a) Batch processing [3]
(b) Multi-user online system [3]
(c) Distributed systems [3]
(d) Control system [3]
3 (a) Advanced Level computing students are required to submit their
assignments using email.
State three advantages of using this method. [3]
(b) State two advantages of using ordinary mail over the use of email. [2]
4 (a) Outline the algorithm for binary search. [10]
(b) Apply the binary search to the following 8 keys of records in a file to trace for
the key 7.
2 5 7 9 11 17 23 31. [3]
5 (a) Explain the difference between sorting and merging and state when each
technique would be used. [4]
(b) There are different sorting and merging algorithms. What criteria might be
used to determine which particular algorithm to use? [4]
6 (a) File organisations can take various forms as indicated below:
(i) serial files
(ii) sequential files
(iii) indexed sequential files
(iv) random files
State two features and one application of each file organisation. [12]
(b) Define multi-level index. [2]
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. [3]
(b) What needs to be done when certain prices change? [2]
(c) Explain the other method of inputting data when the bar code reader fails. [1]
8 Describe the following high level languages and give one example for each.
(a) imperative programming language [3]
(b) logic programming language [3]
(c) functional programming language [3]
(d) special purpose language [3]
9 The program Radix-Convert, listed below calls a recursive procedure, OUT. The
program is run, and the values 46 and 3 are input. Write down, in the correct order,
all the values printed. Show your reasoning clearly. (Note that in this language,
X DIVY 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,
print (a, b)
procedure OUT (x, y)
declare integers a, b
a =xDIVy
b =xMODy
If a > 0 then OUT (a, y)
Print (b)
End OUT [7]
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 common user interface. [4]
(b) Explain how the features of graphical user interface protect the users from
typing or responding to obscure operating system commands and codes. [4]
9195/2 N2010
