Information Systems 12 E238 TEE Questions 2001

You can BUY the question paper (Information Systems 2001)
from the Curriculum Council of Western Australia
for $3.30 (price in September 2004).

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PART A Multiple Choice Items (15 marks)

Attempt all questions in this part. Each question is worth 1 mark. Each question has only one correct response. For each question select the response that is correct. Signify your answer by circling the label (a, b, c or d) of the correct response. If you change your answer, completely erase your original answer. Questions where two or more responses are selected will score no marks.

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1. Which of the following should not be considered a feature of writing programs using modules and parameters?

(a) Modules may be reused in other programs.
(b) Different modules may be substituted to perform the same task.
(c) Programs may be run using different sets of data.
(d) Programs are more accurate using modules and parameters.

2. Which of the following correctly shows the output of this algorithm?

(a) 8, -8
(b) -8, 8
(c) 0, 0
(d) 4, 4

3. Consider the following statements about data structures. Decide whether each statement is true or false. Then select the appropriate response.

First Statement: Records may have data stored in arrays.
Second Statement: Arrays may have data stored in records.

(a) Both statements are true.
(b) The first is true but the second is false.
(c) The first is false but the second is true.
(d) Both statements are false.

4. The rows of a table are called:

(a) attributes.
(b) tuples.
(c) indexes.
(d) relationships.

5. A technical description of the data which is to be stored in a database is called:

(a) a physical database design.
(b) a data dictionary.
(c) an E-R diagram.
(d) a logical database design.

6. Consider the student enrolment data in the fields of the following table extract:

First Name	Surname	Birth date	Address	Sub1	Sub2	Sub3
Susan	Freeman	17/9/92	4 Barton Rd, Redback 9455	Science	History	Japanese
Kate	Smith	23/4/91	36 Spring St, Clayfield 9123	Maths	English	Science
Billy	Smith	23/4/91	36 Spring St, Clayfield 9123	Economics	Music	Geography

Which of the following would not be considered an improvement to the design of this student enrolment database?

(a) Putting the address data into separate Street, Suburb and Postcode fields so mail outs can be sorted by postcode.
(b) Adding an extra field to the table, such as IDNum, which will uniquely identify each student.
(c) Putting all the fields containing subject data into a separate linked table.
(d) Removing the Birth date field to avoid the occurrence of redundant data, such as students with the same birthdays.

7. Carriers and service providers both have a role to play in information and communications technology. Which statement best describes their roles?

(a) Carriers own communications media and lease the means of communication to service providers and sometimes other carriers.
(b) Service providers own communications media and lease the means of communication to carriers and sometimes other service providers.
(c) Carriers may lease the means of communication from service providers and other carriers.
(d) Service providers may lease the means of communication from carriers and other service providers.

8. One of the roles of systems analysts is to

(a) design mainframe computers.
(b) design customised information systems.
(c) analyse operating systems.
(d) set up computer hardware for a company to use.

9. The information systems life cycle stage in which problems are fixed or changes are made is called the:

(a) maintenance stage.
(b) design stage.
(c) implementation stage.
(d) replacement stage.

10. Which of the following is not a network topology?

(a) Star
(b) Switched
(c) Token Ring
(d) Bus

11. You have purchased a computer with the following description: 128 Mb RAM, 500 MHz cpu, 10 Gb HDD and 100 Mb NIC. The “100 Mb NIC” is an example of:

(a) data terminal equipment.
(b) data transmission standards.
(c) data communications equipment.
(d) network integrated connectors.

12. A tape drive, CD Writer (CDRW) and removable hard disk are all examples of:

(a) secondary storage devices typically used for application access.
(b) primary storage devices typically used for backup.
(c) secondary storage devices typically used for backup.
(d) primary storage devices typically used for application access.

13. Software instructions that would perform primary hardware tests and checks when a computer is starting up would be typically stored as:

(a) firmware on the main board/motherboard.
(b) software on the hard disk.
(c) firmware on the hard disk.
(d) software in the operating system.

14. The part of the central processing unit (CPU) that performs logic operations is called the

(a) logic unit.
(b) control unit.
(c) register.
(d) arithmetic logic unit.

15. Data can be found in a number of places before, during and after processing on a computer. Which of the following devices would be least involved when data is currently being processed?

(a) RAM
(b) Bus
(c) Register
(d) Hard disk

END OF PART A

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PART B Short Answers (25 Marks)

Answer all questions. Respond in the spaces provided in this Question/Answer booklet.

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16. What is the meaning of each of the following terms?

(a) data integrity (2 lines) (1 mark)

(b) data redundancy (2 lines) (1 mark)

17. What is a prototype? Provide one reason why it would be developed. (4 lines) (2 marks)

18. State one activity that might occur in each of the following systems development life cycle stages.
(e.g. Analysis - interview system users) (2 lines each) (3 marks)

Design:

Development:

Implementation:

19. For each term below, draw the symbol and describe its purpose in the preparation of a data flow diagram.
(2 lines each) (3 marks)

External entity (source, sink):

Data store (file):

Process:

20. Describe the role of cache as applied to computer hardware devices. (3 lines) (1 mark)

21. Under certain circumstances, a RISC based processor with the same processor speed and bus width can operate faster than a CISC based processor. Provide a reason for this. (4 lines) (1 mark)

22. Give two examples of preventative maintenance that the average user can perform to keep their computer functioning correctly. (2 lines) (1 mark)

23. Using the terms memory, control unit, arithmetic logic unit and registers, describe the fetch-execute cycle for a central processing unit. (4 lines) (2 marks)

24. Explain the difference between an attenuated and a noisy signal. (4 lines) (2 marks)

25. Each of the following is needed when connecting to the Internet to browse the World Wide Web. What is the meaning of these terms? (2 lines for each term) (3 marks)

IP Address:

Connection Protocol:

Browser:

26. Provide a general form of a Boolean search string that could be used in a search engine to find information about the Australian branch of the Speedy Motor Company. (1 line) (1 mark)

27. The procedure below manipulates an array of values that have previously been read into the array. Show the predicted output using the three given values that have been read into the array called NumArray: (4 lines) (3 marks)

5, -6, 0

PROCEDURE SUM_AND_OUTPUT_VALUES (NumberOfValues, NumArray)

PosTotal <—— 0
NegTotal <—— 0

X <—— 1
WHILE X <= NumberOfValues DO

IF NumArray[X] > 0 THEN

PosTotal <—— PosTotal + NumArray[X]

ELSEIF NumArray[X] < 0 THEN

NegTotal <—— NegTotal + NumArray[X]

ENDIF

OUTPUT X, NumArray[X], PosTotal, NegTotal

X <—— X + 1

ENDWHILE

ENDPROCEDURE

28. State one difference between an interpreter and a compiler. (2 lines) (1 mark)

END OF PART B

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PART C Extended Answers (60 marks)

There are four questions in Part C. Answer all of them. Write your answers in this Question/Answer Booklet using the spaces indicated. Label your answers clearly.

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29. (7 marks)

Vital Video

Vital Video is a successful video hiring business that has recently expanded its operation. It has acquired two new shops in suburbs that are next to the suburb of the existing shop. The owner of the new video chain wishes to centralise all of the administration functions and most importantly its membership database system. Each shop currently has one stand alone computer that runs the membership database. The membership database will be merged and stored on a computer that is located at the original video shop. The data will be accessed and available at all three video shops at any time.

Vital Video’s owner wants fast, reliable electronic communication. You have been contacted for advice on communications issues in relation to connecting the two new video shops to the original video shop.

(a) Suggest two suitable methods of connectivity that may be used to provide data communications between the three video shops. (3 lines) (2 marks)

(b) As well as the communications link between the video shops, a server and other physical hardware will also be required for the membership database system. Suggest one type of software that would be necessary to allow the interconnection between the video shops. (3 lines) (1 mark)

(c) An Internet Service Provider (ISP) has suggested an option whereby the video shops can transmit their data between the shops via the Internet. Explain to Vital Video’s owner one advantage and one disadvantage for communicating their data via the Internet. (6 lines) (2 marks)

(d) The Internet Service Provider’s option is very appealing to the owner because members will be able to make advanced bookings for video hires via the Vital Video web site. However, the owner is very concerned about the security of all the confidential data on the server. Specify four methods or tools that may be used to protect this data. (6 lines) (2 marks)

30. (20 marks)

Ned’s News—a newsagent

Your local newsagent, Ned’s News, orders and delivers magazines requested by its customers from its suppliers. The employees at Ned's News currently store all the order and delivery details on cards filed in a box. However, they have become aware that it would be better to store them in an electronic database on their computer.

Below is an example showing one card that is currently filed at Ned's News.

Customer name: Margaret Jones Magazine: TV News ISSN* 0113-1243 Address: 15 Dixon Rd Waterford WA 6890 Start issue: Issue 2, 2001 End issue: Issue 1, 2002 Monthly cost: $18.00 Publisher: Western Print

* ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a code used to identify journals and magazines.

(a) Explain two advantages of storing the data for magazine orders and deliveries in a relational database. (6 lines) (2 marks)

(b)

The entity-relationship diagram above shows the initial basic model for the database.

In order to implement this model, changes must be made to handle the many-to-many relationship between CUSTOMER and MAGAZINE. Describe what needs to be done. (9 lines) (4 marks)

(c) Draw a revised entity-relationship (E-R) diagram that models the design that can be implemented in the database. On your diagram, be sure to do the following:

(i) Name all entities, attributes and relationships (note: you may create any new attributes you think might be needed).

(ii) Underline the primary key for each entity.

(iii) Indicate all foreign keys with the code FK. (one page available) (7 marks)

(d) Western Print recently contacted Ned’s News to obtain the names and addresses of all customers who subscribe to any of their publications. Western Print wishes to write to the customers directly and inform them of some new magazines to be released soon. An employee at Ned’s News has been asked to obtain the required information from the database. Explain exactly how the database tables would be accessed to get the required information. (8 lines) (3 marks)

(e) The database you have designed stores the amount each magazine costs per month because billing is done on a monthly basis. However, not all customers pay their accounts in full on time. Two possible modifications that could be made to the database design to record overdue amounts include adding an extra field to the CUSTOMER entity or creating a new PAYMENTS entity. You have been asked to make a recommendation.

Discuss these modifications and justify your recommendation. (8 lines) (4 marks)

31. (19 marks)

Greenfield City Crime Monitoring System

The Greenfield City is serious about reducing crime and is attempting to manage its crime database in a way to help improve the rate of solving crime. The diagram at the end of this description models the Greenfield City Crime Monitoring System.

When a member of the community reports a crime, they are required to provide name and contact address and phone number. Each community member who reports a crime is provided a crime ID number for later reference.

Alternatively, when crime technicians present details of a crime, they provide their technician ID number and give details of the evidence they have collected. They too are supplied with a crime ID number for later reference.

When crime technicians and members of the community wish to check the progress of a particular crime, they are required to provide the crime ID number first, before the crime registry can be accessed.

All the reported crime details and evidence are held in the crime registry, which is regularly updated. Searches are made in the criminal profiles, fingerprints and DNA register databases and are matched with the recorded crime details and evidence found at crime scenes.

Each week the Greenfield City Police Commissioner receives a report summarising the progress being made with solving crimes.

Greenfield City wished to upgrade its Crime Monitoring System and contracted an information technology specialist to help them. The data flow diagram that follows shows how the crime data moves through the current Greenfield City Crime Monitoring System.

(a) The Greenfield City Crime Monitoring System (GCCMS) is an information system. Using examples from the data flow diagram, define the terms and clearly explain the relationship between data, information and information systems. (8 lines) (5 marks)

(b) The data flow diagram models the Greenfield Crime Monitoring System. Suggest two methods that may have been used by the information technology specialist to obtain information before modelling the system. (4 lines) (2 marks)

Solving crime with communication

One of the best ways of solving crime is to improve communications with the general public. A group of volunteers named Community Alert will co-operate with the Greenfield City Police and communicate suspicious activities noticed in their local streets.

The Greenfield City police will regularly send publishable crime details to Community Alert and the local newspaper, Greenfield Gazette. Greenfield City must extend their Crime Monitoring System so that it can communicate with Community Alert and the Greenfield Gazette.

(c) Draw the extensions to the data flow diagram in the space below to include suspicious activity reporting and notification of publishable crime details. Part of the diagram has been provided for you to add any new processes, data stores and data flows.

You do not have to show any of the details that are already recorded in the original data flow diagram. (0.75 page) (5 marks)

(d) Prior to constructing the data flow diagram, the information technology specialist first drew a context diagram to show the overview of the system. Draw the context diagram for the Greenfield City Crime Monitoring System. Be certain to also include the relevant details from the extensions from part (c). (one page available) (7 marks)

32. (14 marks)

Sparkling Waters Swimming Carnival

Sparkling Waters is a coastal country school where four teams compete annually in the 50 event Sparkling Waters Swimming Carnival. Being inhabitants of a tropical climate, the school swimming teams are called Banana, Mango, Pineapple and Pawpaw. For each swimming race, points are awarded to the team achieving first, second, third and fourth places, as shown in the table below. The points are tallied up and the team with the highest number at the end of the carnival wins the Coconut Cup.

Placing	Points
1st place	10
2nd place	8
3rd place	6
4th place	4

A computer program needs to be written to record the results of the Sparkling Waters Swimming Carnival. You have been asked to help create a program and your problem solving has commenced in earnest. The module that you designed for calculating progressive totals is shown in pseudocode below.

MODULE CalculateTotals (MangoPoints, PinePoints, PawPoints, Banana, Mango, Pine, Paw) Banana <—— Banana + BananaPoints Mango <—— Mango + MangoPoints Pine <—— Pine + PinePoints Paw <—— Paw + PinePoints END CalculateTotals

The draft mainline for the program that you designed is shown in pseudocode below:

Set team totals to 0 FOR NumberOfEvents = 1 to 50 DO Enter SwimmingResults CalculateTotals IF Event Number is a multiple of 10 OutputTotals ENDIF ENDFOR OutputChampionTeam

(a) An appropriate data type for MangoPoints would be Integer. Explain why. (2 lines) (1 mark)

(b) Explain whether it would be appropriate to use the same data type for Mango? (2 lines) (1 mark)

(c) At the beginning of the Sparkling Waters Swimming Carnival the total points for the four teams are:

Banana	0
Mango	0
Pineapple	0
Pawpaw	0

Show how your module above calculates the points, as it is currently written, by completing a trace of the results for the following events:

Event Number	Placing	Team
1	1st	Banana
	2nd	Mango
	3rd	Pineapple
	4th	Pawpaw
2	1st	Mango
	2nd	Pawpaw
	3rd	Banana
	4th	Pineapple

(8 lines) (2 marks)

(d) Provide two reasons why the progressive totals for the teams will not be correct when using this module. (4 lines) (2 marks)

(e) Rewrite the CalculateTotals module in pseudocode to provide the correct results. (half page available) (2 marks)

(f) The mainline and module have both been written in pseudocode. Explain the purpose of pseudocode. (3 lines) (1 mark)

(g) (i) Nassi-Shneidermann diagrams may be used as an alternative to pseudocode. Rewrite the mainline using a Nassi-Shneidermann diagram. (half page available) (3 marks)

(ii) Name two programming constructs. (2 lines) (1 mark)

(iii) Clearly indicate, on your Nassi-Shneidermann diagram, examples of these two constructs. (overwrite diagram) (1 mark)

END OF QUESTIONS

Check that you have your Student Number on the front cover of this booklet.