UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2010/2011
FIRST YEAR EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 1104: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
DATE: AUGUST 2011 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions
Question One
Explain the following cell addressing methods as used in Microsoft Excel
a) The following is a toolbar used often in Word processing
i. Identify its name [2 Marks]
ii. Outline the name and function of the labeled icons [6 Marks]
b) ) Explain the meaning of the following terms as pertains to storage devices
i) Access time
ii) Sequential / Serial access
iii) Direct / Random access [3 Marks]
c) (i) What are the different types of Secondary storage media? [3 Marks]
(ii) Differentiate Hard copy from soft copy [2 Marks]
(iii) Explain the term Primary Storage [2 Marks]
(iv) Distinguish Between Volatile and Non-Volatile memory [2 Marks]
(v ) Identify and explain the functions of any two system utility programs [4 Marks]
(vi ) What is a Virus? [1 Mark]
d) Explain the meaning of the following MS-DOS commands:
(i) DIR *.TXT /P
(ii) TYPE MARY.TXT
(iii) COPY *.EXE C:\JANE
(iv) FORMAT A:/S /Q
(v) FC JANE.TXT SUE.PRG [5 Marks]
Question Two
a) Explain the following cell addressing methods:
(i) Mixed cell addressing method [1 Mark]
(ii) Absolute cell addressing method [1 Mark]
(iii) Relative cell addressing method [1 Mark]
(iv) 3-D cell addressing method [1 Mark]
b) Explain the difference between
i) Application software and operating system
ii) RAM and ROM [4 Marks]
c) List the steps you would follow to perform the following tasks: –
i. Creating a document for the first time
ii. Saving a document file in a new directory without changing the filename
iii. Opening a document that has been saves in My Documents folder
[6 Marks]
d) Explain the function of the following features/tools in word Processing
i. Replace
ii. Frames
iii. Show/hide icon
iv. Mailing [4 Marks]
e) List any two word processors other than MS Word [2 Marks]
Question Three
a) Discuss what search engines and search directories are as used in internet. Give an example in each
case. [8 Marks]
b) Explain the following functions as used in spreadsheet. Give examples of each
(i) TODAY() [2 Marks]
(ii) AVERAGE() [2 Marks]
(iii) COUNTIF() [2 Marks]
(iv) COUNTA() [2 Marks]
c) Write short notes on :
i) Master Slide [2 Marks]
ii) Animation [2 Marks]
Question Four
a) Explain what you understand by the term e-mail program. Give any four e-mail programs that are
currently in use today. [6 Marks]
b) Discuss any three advantages of communicating using an e-mail program. [3 Marks]
c) Outline five components of access database. [5 Marks]
d) Explain any six data types you may use in a Microsoft Access table. [6 Marks]
Question Five
a) There are five computer generations. All along they describe technological advancement in both
hardware and software. In respect to the above describe:
i. Second Generation [5 Marks]
ii. Fourth Generation [5 Marks]
b) (i ) Describe the use of power point presentation in the current times. [2 Marks]
(ii ) Explain any four power point views that you normally use from time to time when one is
working with power point [4 Marks]
c) Define the term operating system. Explain any two functions of operating systems [4 Marks]
