Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) What is the significance of the mail-merge feature in MS-Word? Write a step-by-step procedure for the following :
(i) To create a data source and a main document,
(ii)To merge the date source with the main document.

(b) Explain the role of the following elements in a programming language:
(i) Assignment statement, Print statement
(ii) Conditional statement, Looping statement
(iii) Subroutines and Functions

© Write the steps involved in performing the following disk drive
utilities:
(i) Disk defragmenter
(ii) Scan disk
(iii) Formatting the disks

(d) Mention the difference between synchronous and asynchronous Transmission. Also, with the help of a diagram, explain half-duplex and full-duplex communication.

Q2 (a) Write the steps involved in changing the following settings in the
Windows 95 operating system:
(i) Font setting
(ii) Date and time
(iii) Look of the desktop

(b) Write the steps involved in entering TCP/IP information, and, to set up a connection to your access provider.

Q3 (a) What is a virus ? List and explain, the categories of the viruses with respect to the sectors infected.

(b) What is vector processing? Give four reasons for increased complexity in RISC that lead to CISC.

Q4(a) Write the function of each layer in an OSI reference model.

(b) What are the minimum requirements for running multimedia applications like audio, video, recording audio in Windows 95 OS?

Q5(a) Write the working mechanisms of brides and routers.

(b) Write two differences between the following : (i) System Software Vs. Application Software (ii) Compiler Vs. Interpreter (iii) Machine language Vs. High level language.

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) What is memory hierarchy? Why is it needed in a computer? Why do we need Cache and Main Memory, even through faster disks are available? Justify your answer,

(b) What is Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)? How is it different from a von Neumann machine?

© Which of the two operating systems, WINDOWS or UNIX is popular among the masses? Give at least two reasons in support of your answer.

(d) Can an optical fiber be used as a transmission medium for a Wide Area Network? Justify your answer.

(e) Do fourth generation languages allow you to create functions or subroutines? Justify your answer.

(f) What is an “ICON"? Where can it be used?

(g) What is the need of a multi-programming operating system? How is it different from a multi-tasking operating system? Should a real-time Operating system necessarily be multi-programmed? Justify your answer.

(h) Give four ways of protecting your computer against a computer virus attack.

(i) List two of the networking functions available in Windows. Give the steps involved in performing any one of these.

(j) List six major advantages of using MS-WORD.

(k) List four main features of MS-PowerPoint. Give reasons for selecting these options.

2(a) “A company has P-4 machine - 1 GHz, having a 32 MB RAM, a 20 GB hard disk drive, alO Mbps Network Card, a 133 MHz motherboard.” What is the meaning of this configuration? It was found that this computer was slow for windows applications. What should be changed in order to make the computer faster? Justify your answer.

(b) What are the major utilities available in Windows 95 for correcting disks and access time? Describe the process of using these utilities.

3(a) What are the two major security threats to a computer on a Wide Area Network? How can these threats be controlled? Discuss one such process in detail.

(b) What is network operating system? How is it different from a Distributed operating system? Is Windows 95 a Network operating system? Justify your answer.

© Can you create multimedia-using PowerPoint? Justify your answer.

4(a) You want to create a letter of invitation for all your friends. The basic contents of the letters are the same but the name and address in each letter would be different. How would you create these letters using MS-WORD? Describe all the steps involved.

(b) What are the two basic constructs of a programming language? Describe them with the help of an example each.

Q5. Define the following terms, giving one example of each:
(i) Protocol

(ii) Circuit switching

(iii) Assembly language

(iv) Pipelining

(v) Supercomputer

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) Explain the functions of the following forms of multiprogramming, with an example of each :
(i) Multitasking
(ii) Multiprocessor
(iii) Multi-user

(b) Explain the methodology of transferring data blocks for the following WAN communication switching techniques :
(i) Circuit switching
(ii) Packet switching
(iii) Message switching.

© Explain four major features of Microsoft Windows.

(d) Discuss the importance of the Mail-Merge feature in WORD. Write a step-by-step procedure to merge labels and envelopes using this feature.

2(a) Explain what the memory hierarachy is with the help of a diagram. List any four characteristics of any memory device.

(b) What is a virus? How can it be categorised? Explain what a BOOT infecting virus is.

3(a) Explain the need for data back-up. Write a step-by-step procedure for taking a back-up in the WINDOWS operating system using MS Back-up utility.

(b) What is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)? Compare the role of EDI with that of any traditional method in a business scenario. Also mention any two applications of EDI.

4(a) What is Internet? Explain any four services provided by Internet.

(b) Write the step-by-step procedure to use the following utilities in the
WINDOWS operating system:
(i) Drive Space
(ii) Format Disks

Q5(a) List four possible ways to increase memory speed. Also explain how cache memory could be advantageous in increasing the overall speed of memory reference, even though it is a small size memory.

(b) What is cryptography? Explain the encryption process with the help of a diagram.

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) “A computer is basically an instruction execution machine.” Is the above statement correct? Give reasons in support of your answer. How is an instruction executed by a computer? Explain in a stepwise fashion.
(b)What is the need of memory hierarchy in a computer system? Describe the memory hierarchy and the function of each level in memory hierarchy. Can we instead of having memory hierarchy just have a huge (GB) RAM? Justify your answer.

© What are the various components of Graphical User Interfaces? What is the purpose of each one of them?

(d) A university has a Headquarters having about 200 computers in an office complex, and 30 Regional offices at the state capitals having 20 computers each. What kind of network will you suggest for this university? Suggest suitable topology, protocol and communication media in your answer. Justify your answer.

(e) What are the elements of any programming language? Describe with the help of an example. Compare and contrast functions with subroutines.

(f) What are the various threats faced by electronic data? Can cryptography solve all such problems? Justify your answer.

Q2. Describe the following terms giving usage of these in the context of computer system :
(a) External Interfaces
(b) Machine Language
© Reduced Instruction Set Computers
(d) Modem
(e) Input/Output mechanism

3(a) What is Wide Area Network (WAN)? What are its purposes? What are the possible topologies that may be recommended for a WAN? Which protocol will you suggest for a general purpose WAN? Justify your answer

(b) Define the following terms in the context of computer networks:

(i) Transport layer
(ii) Data link layer
(iii) Multiplexer
(iv) Optical fiber
(v) Half duplex

4(a) What is a multiprogramming operating system? How is it related/ different to multitasking and real time system? Is a distributed operating system necessarily multitasking? Justify your answer.

(b) Define the following terms in the context of computer networks:
(i) Transport layer
(ii) Data link layer
(iii) Multiplexer
(iv) Optical fiber
(v) Half duplex

4(a) What is a multiprogramming operating system? How is it related/ different to multitasking and real time system? Is a distributed operating system necessarily multitasking? Justify your answer.

(b) What is a network operating system? How is it different to distributed operating system? What are the advantages of distributed operating system?

5(a) Describe the following features of MS Word/Powerpoint:
(i) MailMerge
(ii) Macro
(iii) Slide transition

(b) What is a worm? How is it related/different to computer virus? How can you prevent computer virus from entering your system?

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a)What is the purpose of having a hierarchy of memory (such as main memory, secondary etc.) in a computer system? What is the popular secondary storage technology presently available? What is the access mechanism used for those devices? Describe the characteristics of CD-ROM technology.

(b) What is a Supercomputer? What are its applications? Compare and contrast a supercomputer with mainframe and mini-computers. Are the present day micro-computers powerful enough to emulate a supercomputer? Justify your answer.

© “UNIX operating system was not popular in the commercial business world because of Graphical User Interface.” Comment on the above statement. Describe the various components of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and their usefulness with respect to GUIs.

(d) Can a Wide Area Network (WAN) use optical fibre as transmission medium and bus topology? Justify your answer. Describe the term protocol, giving one example each for WAN and LAN protocols. What is EDT? Can it be supported on LANs? Justify your answer.
(e) What is meant by the term 4GLs (Fourth Generation Languages)? Explain with the help of an example. Does 4GLs contain functions and subroutines? Give reasons. Compare and contrast the features of 4GLs to third generation languages.

(f) What are the security threats to a computer which is a node on a Local Area Network? How can you minimise the possibility of information access from this computer by unauthorised users? Describe one method in detail.

2(a) What is a multi-programming operating system? How is it different to a multi-tasking and real-time operating system? Is a network operating system also a multiprogramming operating system? Justify your answer. What are the advantages of a network operating system?
(b) What is a distributed operating system? What are its advantages/ disadvantages? For a company whose office is located in a building, which of the two - network OS or distributed OS - will you suggest to use? Justify your answer.

3(a) What are the hardware and software components one may need for a computer network? Describe two hardware components giving their characteristics.

(b) XYZ Company has all its data available on a Local Area Network. The company decided to become international, and positioned its offices all over the world. What changes will you propose for the LAN of the company? You may suggest changes in hardware, software, protocol, topology, security, etc.
4(a) What will you do if your computer has slowed down? What are the possible reasons? How will you try to resolve the problem? Assume that you are working with a computer having Windows 95 with all its utilities.

(b) What is the Mailmerge feature of a word processor? Why is it needed? Describe with the help of an example.

5(a) Compare and contrast the following in the context of hardware and software of a computer :

(i) InkJet printer versus Dot matrix printer versus Laser printer
(ii) Sequential access versus Direct access versus Random access

(b) What is pipelining? Can it be done in Reduced Instruction Set Computers? Justify your answer.
© To transfer data from a Winchester disk which method of data transfer with memory should be used? Give reasons.

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) What is the structure of a Basic computer? What is the need of various components of a Basic computer as defined by Von Neumann? Are they a must for a computer system? Justify your answer.

(b) Why is the main memory of a computer also called RAM? What is static RAM and how is it similar/different to dynamic RAM? Can RAM be totally replaced by Cache memory? Justify your answer.

© What are the advantages of Graphical User Interface? What is the need of having various components of Graphical User Interface?

(d) What is the usefulness of Wide Area Network (WAN)? How is the topology of WAN different from that of Local Area Networks (LAN)? Which topology and communication channel will you suggest for LAN located in a building? Justify your answer.

(e) How will you represent a table in a computer using a programming languages? Give definition of the element used by you and give reason of your selection. To multiply two matrices would you like to define a function or a subroutine? Justify your answer.

(f) What is the need of cryptography? Describe the data Encryption Standard (DES) with the help an example.

2(a) What is meant by Serial and Parallel Interfaces? Where are they used?

(b) What is an assembly language? Is it still needed? Give reason. Compare and contrast assembly language to third generation languages.

© What is Direct Memory Access? Where is it used in a computer? How is it different from having the CPU doing Input/Output?

(d) What is meant by the term Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC)? What are their characteristics?
3(a) What is protocol in the context of Local Area Network? Define a protocol used in LANs.
(b) What is multiplexing in the context of computer network? Where will it be needed?

© What are the various types of switching methods in LANs? Describe any one of those.
(d) What is the purpose of having layered architecture for computer networks? What is the purpose of Data-Link and Network layers?

4(a) What is distributed operating system? How is it different to multiprogramming operating system? What are the applications where you would like to use distributed operating system?

(b) What is batch operating system? What were the disadvantages of this system that led to multiprogramming system? What is multitasking? What are its applications?

5(a) What is the need of a presentation software like Powerpoint? Describe five most important features needed in a presentation package. Give reason for your selection.

(b) What are the threats to computer security? What is computer virus? Does a password authentication mechanism prevent computer virus? Justify your answer. What are the areas a computer virus can destroy?

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) What should be the configuration of a computer that is to be used at your home? Justify your answer. Categorise the various terms used for configuration description under the broad categories: CPU, Memory, Input/Output devices and Bus or Interconnection structures.

(b) How does a user interact with an operating system of computer? What is the need of an operating system in a computer? Can two operating systems be loaded in a computer at a time? Justify your answer.

© What is meant by the term "Iteration"? Describe the use of a two dimensional array with the help of Iteration. How is iteration different or similar to Recursion.

(d) The protocol used on Internet is "TCP/IP"? What does the above statement mean in the context of data communication? Suppose that a LAN protocol which has been implemented on STAR topology LAN, can it be implemented on RING topology network? Justify your answer.

(e) Describe the basic components of the graphical user interface giving an example each from MS-Windows. (JUN02, Ql©HJUN01, QI©l[DEC98, Q5(a)}

(f) What is a WORM in the context of computers? How is it different than computer virus? Can a worm be spread through e-mail messages? Can a virus spread through e-mail messages? Justify your answer.

Q2. Compare and contrast the following :
(a) Batch Processing versus Multiprogramming.
(b) Registers versus Main memory versus Cache memory
© Assembler versus Compiler versus Interpreter
(d) System calls versus Command line interfaces.

3(a) Describe the characteristics of distributed operating system. How is it different to that of Network Operating System? Is it essential that a distributed operating system must be a network operating system also. Justify your answer.

(b) Differentiate the basic requirements of multitasking, muilti process time sharing operating systems. What are the basic requirements a real-time operating system.

4(a)Compare and contrast the feature of various wired transmission media used in local area networks? What are the limitations of these wired medias for Wide Area Network.

(b) What is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)? How is it different to E-mail? What are the hardware needed for connecting your computer to make use the features of EDI?.

5(a)In what situation/application would you like to use ‘Mailmerge’ feature of a Word Processor? Describe with the help of suitable example.

(b) What are the basic utilities available in Windows to deal with some very basic problems such as bad sectors, bad response time etc?

© What are the basic threats to computer security? How can you counter a threat like "occurrence of a disaster" in the area computer is placed?

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) What are the functional components of a Computer System? What configuration will you suggest for these components? Suggest hardware devices which you would like to procure with a computer. Justify the suggested configuration and devices.

(b) Why do you need an operating system in a computer? Which operating system will you suggest for your lab computers? Give reasons of your selection.

© What are the basic looping constructs in a programming language? Write an algorithm for reading one dimensional array and then printing it.

(d) What is a protocol-> Describe one protocol used for Local Area Network. Can a specific protocol be linked to only a single topology? Give reasons in support of your answer.

(e) Can a file infector virus, infect your system on receiving e-mail? Justify your answer. How is a typical virus different from a Trojan Horse? How can you control virus infection to your system?

(f) What are the basic components of a Graphical User Interface? Describe each of the components and give example for that component in the context of Windows.

Q2. Compare and contrast the following :

(a) SPOOLING versus BUFFERING

(b) Compiler versus Interpreter

© EEPROM versus ROM

(d) Registers versus Cache memory in memory hierarchy. / Register => A high speed storage space within a CPU. The size and number of registers in the central processing unit are critical in determining the speed and power of a computer. As the instructions are interpreted and executed by the cpu, there is a movement of information between the various units of the computer system. In order to handle this process satisfactorily and to speed up the rate of information transfer ,the computer uses a number of special memory units called register.

(e) CD-ROM versus Hard Disk (HD)

Q3. Write short note on the following giving one example each (wherever applicable):

(a) Network Operating System

(b) Distributed Operating System

© Time-sharing Operating System

(d) System Calls and Command Line Interfaces

(e) Batch Systems

4(a) Describe briefly the various wired transmission media used in LANs. Compare and contrast their features.

(b) Describe the following terms in the context of computer networks (any two):

(i) TCP/IP
(ii) EDI
(iii) MODEM

5(a) Describe the following features of Word processor giving one example each:
(i) Mailmerge
(ii) Macro
(iii) Autotext and find.

(b) Describe the various security threats to a compute system.

Question Paper of CS-611 : Computer Fundamentals and PC Software

Ql(a) Describe the components of von Neumann architecture. What is the purpose of defining any architecture of a computer system? Can a computer system be made by just a single chip? Justify your answer.
(b) Compare and contrast the following:
(i) Static versus Dynamic random access memories
(ii) Serial versus Parallel interfaces
(iii) Mainframe computers versus Super computers

© What are the basic components of a Graphical user Interface? Why is Windows a popular graphical user interface?
(d) Why do you use arrays in a programming language? Describe with the help of an example. What is the need of subroutines and functions? Give one example for each.

(e) What is authentication? Is it related to cryptography? Describe the logic of the RSA algorithm for encryption.

(f) What are the features needed for communication channels of a Local Area Network? How will these features be different for a wide area network? Describe a popular communication media for WAN.

Q2. Compare and contrast the features of the following in the context of computer hardware and software:
(a) Dot matrix printer versus InkJet printer,

(b) High-level languages versus Fourth generation languages.

© Access mechanism magnetic tapes versus Access mechanism on Winchester disks.

(d) Direct Memory Access Module versus Input/Output Module. / Direct memory access

(e) Reduced Instruction Set Computers versus von Neumann machine.

3(a) What is a network operating system. Suggest an application where you will prefer network operating system instead of distributed operating system. Give the name of an operating system which is a network operating system.
(b) What is multiprogramming? How is it different from multi-tasking? What is real-time operating system? Suggest one application for a realtime system.

4(a) What are the components that will be needed to create a local area network at your lab? Which topology and protocol will you suggest for the above LAN? Give reasons for your selection.

(b) Describe the following terms in the context of Computer networks:

(i) Optical Fiber

(ii) Transport Layer

(iii) EDI

(iv) BUS

(v) Switching

5(a) Describe five most important features that exist in a word processor. Explain why do you think that they are most important.

(b) What are the security threats to a computer if it is connected to Internet? What are worms? How are they different from computer viruses?

Question Paper of CS-64: Introduction to Computer Organisation

Ql(a). Perform the following arithmetic operations using 8-bit register. Use 2’s complement method. Indicate overflow or underflow if it occurs.
(i) 28 + (-28)
(ii) 26 (-26)
(iii) - 38 (90)
(iv) 25 90

(b) Construct the karnaugh’s map for the following function in term of various A, B, C, D. Find the optimal function using this map.

©Describe the need of a multiplexer in a system. How is a multiplexer different j-rom a decoder? Draw a logic diagram of a 2 * 1 multiplexer and 2 * 4 decoder.

(d) Write a program in 8086 to find the largest number in a list of integers stored in the memory. The program should output the number and its locution in the memory.

(e) How does the micro-programmed control unit of a computer function? Explain with the help of a block diagram.

(f) What is the need of having master-slave flip-flop? Example the working of a master-slave flip-flop with the help of logic diagram.

Q2(a). What is a bit slice? Where can it be used? Compare and contrast the features of Random Access to Direct Access. Give an example of Direct Access.

(b) Write a program in 8086 assembly language that compares two strings. The
program will output———1 if string 1 < string 2; 0 if both the stings are equal;
+ 1 if string 1> string 2.

© What is the head of a disk? List the various head mechanisms. Compare and contrast these mechanisms.
are the functional requirements of an I/O module? Explain briefly. Explain the interrupt driven Input/ Output.

(b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of evaluation-stack architecture? Describe the architecture with an example.

© What is the need of having many addressing modes in a machine? As a machine designer, select five most important addressing modes for your machine. Give reasons of your selection.

Q4(a). How is the memory read and write operation carried out using system bus? Write the necessary micro-operations for the above.

(b) Design a floating point number representation for the following:
Base: 2
Mantissa: Normalised
Precision : Single precision
Range of Exponent: 1 X 10�M
Range of mantissa: Equivalent to 5 decimal digits represented correctly
Exponent: Biased exponent
Assume that the word size of the above machine is 16 bits.

© What is firmware? How is it different from software? Describe the Wilkes
control unit.

Q5(a). Compare and contrast unencoded and highly encoded micro instructions.

(b) Write a 8086 assembly program to replace an uppercase letter by a lowercase letter. Make suitable assumptions, if any.

© What is the purpose of the queue in the bus interface unit of 8086 microprocessor?

Q6. Describe the following terms in the context of computer organisation and 8086 micro-processor:

(a) Linker Also called link editor and binder, a linker is a program that combines object
strong>(b) Associative memories
© Co-processor and peripheral processors

(e) Mask and Insert operation

(f)Mapping of cache blocks