Information Technology Unit 2 Exam Revision

Front 1

What is a client/server network?

Back 1

A client/server network uses one computer (or more) to act as a server and other computers on the network can request services from that server.

Front 2

What is the testing step of problem solving methodology?

Back 2

The testing step involves checking that the solution produces an accurate and complete output.

Front 3

In the ICT industry, what does a consultant do?

Back 3

A consultant is a person who receives a fee from an organisation for providing a service. They are not employed in the business and typically have experience in an area required by the business.

Front 4

What is an algorithm?

Back 4

An algorithm is a set of well-defined instructions for accomplishing a task from a specific starting point and ending at a specific end point.

Front 5

What is an intranet?

Back 5

An intranet is an internal network in an organisation that uses Internet and Web protocols to securely share information and policies with employees. Intranets restrict access to company information and facilities to employees.

Front 6

In computer programming what are data dictionaries used for?

Back 6

Data dictionaries are a type of software design tool that describe in detail the data and information that is used and stored.

Front 7

What is the documentation step of problem solving methodology?

Back 7

This step requires efficient and understandable documentation to be produced.

Front 8

What is the modem in a communication device used for?

Back 8

A modem is used at the transmitting end to convert the digital signal of a computer into the analogue wave needed for transmission. At the receiving end the opposite occurs. The analogue wave is converted into a digital signal.

Front 9

What is a LAN network that connects computers and devices?

Back 9

A local area network consists of many computers connected via is confined to a limited geographic area such as a school or small business.

Front 10

When does an evaluation of a website solution take place?

Back 10

The evaluation step is the last step of problem solving methodology and takes place at the very end.

Front 11

What does a constraint on developing an ICT problem mean?

Back 11

A constraint is a feature of the project that you can’t change.

Front 12

What are the design elements for on screen output?

Back 12

The design elements are proportion, orientation, clarity and consistency, colour and contrast, usability and accessibility, relevance and appropriateness.

Front 13

What is a network topology?

Back 13

A network topology is the physical arrangement of the devices in a communications network.

Front 14

When is debugging a computer programme preformed?

Back 14

This is preformed during alpha testing, which occurs during the development of the application.

Front 15

Why are some computer programming and scripting languages referred to as object-oriented?

Back 15

This is because they may consist of objects that can be manipulated by a mouse such as: buttons, labels and images.

Front 16

List ways of debugging a programme?

Back 16

The ways of debugging a programme include: Testing each module, tracking variables, stepping through code and inbuilt debugging tools.

Front 17

List design tools that could be used to design a computer software programme?

Back 17

Common design tools used may include: flow charts, structure charts, storyboards and layout diagrams

Front 18

What is project management?

Back 18

It involves achieving an appropriate project outcome, within a budget, on time.

Front 19

What is a Gantt chart?

Back 19

A Gantt chart is a visual representation of tasks to be done, it shows a schedule of start and finish dates for the task.

Front 20

What is a Pert Chart?

Back 20

A Pert chart is a visual representation of the task and milestones; this chart uses network diagrams to display information.

Front 21

What are network topologies used for?

Back 21

Network topologies are used to help organise all devices on a network in a practical way that is suited to the company.

Front 22

What is a NOS?

Back 22

A Network operating system, it organises, controls and coordinates the administration, file management, printer management and security activities on a local area network.

Front 23

What is a firewall?

Back 23

A firewall is hardware and software that restricts access to data and information on a network.

Front 24

Why should firewall software be updated regularly?

Back 24

To prevent people breaking through the firewall an accessing the restricted data and information.

Front 25

What does NIC stand for and what is its purpose?

Back 25

Network interface card, you insert it into an expansion slot of a computer or other network device and it allows you to connect to a network.

Front 26

List two password procedures that could be followed to help insure that computer network passwords are secure?

Back 26

Longer passwords could be used as each number you add significantly increases the number of possible combinations. There may be guidelines that people have to follow when entering a password.

Front 27

List two advantages for organisations that could result from putting a computer network in place?

Back 27

The advantages of a network over stand-alone computers are:
Communicating – Email, chatting, videoconferencing are all efficient ways of communicating over a network.
Sharing resources – Resources such as printers and file servers can be shared between multiple users.

Front 28

List one security procedure that should be put in place for connecting a laptop to a company network?

Back 28

A NIC may be required as it restricts access only to those who hold one.

Front 29

List two design elements that are important considerations for onscreen products such as websites and for each briefly explain what they mean?

Back 29

Clarity and consistency – Clear and consistent navigation and typography will help all users to find what they are after.
Colours and Contrast – For websites we are concerned with appropriate colours as well as how these colours contrast with each other.

Front 30

List one method of testing a website.

Back 30

Alpha testing – this occurs during the development of the application, using carefully designed and constructed test data, and is often referred to as ‘debugging the program’.

Front 31

List one method of evaluating the website.

Back 31

Keeping an electronic journal can help the person that is building the website to look back over and evaluate their progress.

Front 32

What does the term ‘web-enabled’ mean?

Back 32

A web-enabled device is one that provides access to the Internet and email from any location.

Front 33

Breifly describe three common network topologies.

Back 33

Bus – consists of a single central cable, to which all of the other computers and devices connect.
Ring – uses a cable that forms a ring. All computers and devices on the network connect to the ring.
Star – all of the devices connect to a central computer in a star　arrangement.

Front 34

What is an intranet? What benefits to an organisation are there in setting up an intranet?

Back 34

An intranet is an internal network in an organisation that uses Internet and Web protocols to securely share information. Intranets restrict access to company information and facilities to employees only.

Front 35

What situations would the TCP/IP protocol be most useful?

Back 35

The TCP/IP protocol breaks data down into very small packets. This allows the packets to travel of multiple routes to the destination. This makes it ideal for use on a WAN such as the Internet where there a numerous different paths a packet can take.

Front 36

Describe three measures that should incorporated into a network to restrict access by unauthorised users and to secure transmission of data.

Back 36

A firewall should be used to block server ports thus restricting access to outsiders to the network.
Wireless access points should be configured so that they do not broadcast a network name.
Data transmitted over the wireless network should be encrypted so that if unauthorized access does occur, the data will be meaningless.

Front 37

Name two types of charts used to vissualy present tasks and timelines:

Back 37

A Gantt chart is a visual representation of tasks to be done, it shows a schedule of start and finish dates for the task.
A Pert chart is a visual representation of the task and milestones; this chart uses network diagrams to display information.

Front 38

List the characteristics of a project:

Back 38

• A clearly defined purpose
• A starting time
• A limited lifetime
• A number of interdependent task

Front 39

List the important skills of a project manager:

Back 39

• Human recourse management
• Communication
• Quality control
• Time management
• Costing
• Accounting
• Contact management

Front 40

Why is it important to keep track of file versions when collaborating with others on a project?

Back 40

This makes it easier to see which documents are out of date and make sure that everyone who is working on the group ware is working with updated information.

Front 41

How does groupware assist workers to collaborate?

Back 41

Groupware enables workers to collaborate by enabling file sharing and ‘real time’ conferencing.

Front 42

What is programming or scripting language?

Back 42

A programming language is a method of communicating instructions to a computer.

Front 43

What is object orientated programming?

Back 43

‘Object-orientated’ programming is a range of objects that can be manipulated using a mouse. e.g. buttons.

Front 44

What are the two main components of a programming or scripting language?

Back 44

Different types of data formats, data structures and objects that are supported,
The programming structures and commands available to manipulate the data and objects.

Front 45

What is the difference between a general purpose and a scripting programming language?

Back 45

The most noticeable differences are that programming languages have many more features that can be programmed as they are not restricted to the objects and data that are used in a particular application environment.

Front 46

What is an IDE? And what is it used for?

Back 46

An integrated development environment (IDE) is used by a programming language and comprises of many easy to use programming objects. It is used to represent whole numbers.

Front 47

What is a variable in computer programming?

Back 47

Variable can be considered boxes in the computers memory; each box has a name and can be used to store and retrieve data.

Front 48

What is a character variable? What is a string variable?

Back 48

A character variable or constant holds a single number, letter or symbol. Strings are sequences of characters.

Front 49

What is a Boolean variable?

Back 49

Boolean data can only be true or false.

Front 50

How many ways can numbers be stored in memory? What is the difference between the different types of numerical variables?

Back 50

Numbers can be stored in computers in 5 main ways:
i. Integer data types – used to represent whole numbers
ii. Character – used to hold a single number
iii. Boolean data – either 00000001 or 00000000 for true or false
iv. Decimal numbers – numbers that include a fractional or decimal part
v. Date and time – recorded as the number of days from a specific date

Front 51

What is an array?

Back 51

An Array is a collection of the same type of data.

Front 52

What is a syntax error in a computer program?

Back 52

A syntax error occurs when the syntax rules are not followed, this is when the grammar in the computer programming is incorrect.

Front 53

What is an assignment statement? How is it different from an equality statement?

Back 53

An assignment statement is an instruction that assigns values to memory locations. For example: Instead of meaning the number equals 20 as is the case for an equality statement, an assignment statement means the value equals 20.

Front 54

Name the steps of problem solving methodology when developing a website.

Back 54

1. Analyse- Understand all aspects of the problem
2. Design- Decide what has to be done to achieve the solution.
3. Development- Build the solution with either off the shelf or custom made hardware and software.
4. Testing- Check that the solution produces accurate and complete output.
5. Documentation – creating documentation for your website that clearly states all goals and acheievements.
6. Implementation- Install the solution on the organisation’s computer system and establish strategies for its ongoing use.
7. Evaluation- Determine whether the solution has solved the original and check the goals of the organisation to see if they have been achieved.