UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DIT108 COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE
FULLTIME/PARTTIME
DATE: NOVEMBER, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE AND any other TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE
a) Define the following terms as used in computing
i) Nibble [1Mark]
ii) Truth table [1Mark]
iii) Register [1Mark]
iv) Information [1Mark]
v) Intranet [1Mark]
b) Differentiate between computer organization and computer architecture [4Marks]
c) State any two features of fourth generation computers [2Marks]
d) State the functions of the following computer hardware
i) Microprocessor [2Marks]
ii) Power supply unit [2Marks]
e) Explain four reasons why an organization may decide to develop its software in-house instead of buying
ready made or off the shelf software [4Marks]
f) Briefly explain four factors to consider when selecting a keyboard [4Marks]
g) With the aid of a diagram explain the four functional units of a computer [7Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Briefly explain FOUR features of databases that make them to be preferred to computer files [4Marks]
b) Differentiate between the following as used in computing
i) Soft copy output from hard copy output [2Marks]
ii) Random access memory from Read only memory [2Marks]
iii) Magnetic tape from magnetic disk [2Marks]
c) Outline any four reasons why a programmer may prefer to code a computer program using third
generation programming languages instead of assembly languages [4Marks]
d) Explain the functions of any three motherboard components [6Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Perform the following number system conversions
i) 56428 to hexadecimal [3Marks]
ii) 430910 to binary [2Marks]
iii) 110101110112 to octal [2Marks]
b) Perform the following calculation using the two’s complement notation -67 + 99 [4Marks]
c) Give the symbol, truth table and output logic equation of the following logic gates
i) NAND gate [3Marks]
ii) NOR gate [3Marks]
d) Draw the logic gate equivalent of the following Boolean expression
QUESTION FOUR
a) Briefly explain what is meant by computer booting and explain the two types of booting [6Marks]
b) State any four types of computer operating systems [4Marks]
c) Give any two symptoms of the following failed devices
i) Processor
ii) Mouse
iii) Monitor [6Marks]
d) State the four types of computer files [4Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Outline any four multimedia devices used in computing [4Marks]
b) Describe any four reasons why organizations may automate decision making tasks which can be done my
human beings [4Marks]
c) Name any four programs that can be used by a student to browse the internet [4Marks]
d) State any two reasons for backing up data [2Marks]
e) Name any four precautions that an organization can take to control the spread of computer viruses
[4Marks]
