1. Computers are used in supermarkets at point of sales terminals.

When paying for goods the Customer inserts the bank card into the
chip reader.
(a) Identify three items of data contained in the chip on a bank card.
Three from:
Card number
PIN
Expiry date
Type of card/issuer
Security number
(b) Describe three checks that would be carried out using information on
the card before
the bank is asked to authorize the transaction.
Card is valid/card number exists
Card is in date
PIN entered matches that on card
Checks if card is stolen
(c) Describe five steps which would be carried out by the computers at the
supermarket
and at the customers bank to complete the transaction.
Five from:
Customer bank contacted
Bank looks up customer account number
Checks available balance
Checks daily (card) limit
If insufficient funds then transaction is rejected
If sufficient funds then transaction is authorized
Money deducted from customer account
Money credited to supermarket account
2. Identify three items of test data which could be used with the Price field
giving reasons
for your choice.
Any three matched pairs from
A value between 0 and 20
This is normal data and should be accepted by the system
0 or 20
This is extreme data and should be accepted by the system
Any number above 20 or text
This is abnormal data and should be rejected by the system

3.Describe three uses of modeling.

Simulations
Mathematical models
Scientific models
Civil engineering models
Financial models
Flight/pilot simulation/training
Large scale chemical experiments
Design of fairground rides
Traffic control
Building fire simulation
4. Give two reasons, other than reducing timescale, why computer models
are
sometimes used rather than the real thing.
Some situations are/real thing might be dangerous/model is less dangerous
Cost of building real thing may be expensive
Real thing may waste raw materials/natural resources
Easier to change data/variables
Costs less to change data/variables
The real thing may be impossible to access/create
Real thing may be on too vast a scale
Extremes which cant be tested in real life can be tested using models.
5. Describe how the supermarkets computer uses a check digit to check
that data has
been entered correctly.
Computer calculates check digit from numbers in bar code number
Compares calculated check digit with that recorded in bar code number
If same, proceeds with transaction, otherwise sounds warning signal/issues error
message
6.The supermarket computer can automatically re-order items when the
supermarket is
running low on stock.
Describe this process, using the example databases above when two more
packets of
Kollege Corn Flakes pass through the checkout.
Every time a product is bought, number in stock reduces by 1
Number in stock of Kollege Corn Flakes falls to 150
Compare number in stock with Re-order level
Is equal so needs re-ordering

Kollege Corn Flakes now needs re-ordering

Read off re-order quantity (which is 50)
Read off supplier code L93512
Use suppliers database
Lookup supplier code (L93512)
Read off suppliers name, address - Lu Chen, Kinshasa Highway, Box 41324
Print off re-order request
Print off address label
7.Name and describe three types of test data which are used when testing
a system.
Normal data data within a given range/appropriate for that data type
Abnormal data data outside the range/of the wrong data type
Extreme data data on the boundaries of the range
Live data data that has been used in the previous/existing system
8. Explain why authentication techniques are necessary.
Authentication techniques such as user names and passwords identify the user to
the
system
Without authentication anybody would be able to access data
Hackers would be able to amend/delete data without being prevented
Would have to rely on other methods such as firewalls to prevent unauthorised
access.
9.Customer data is encrypted. Explain what encryption is and why it is
used.
Causes data to be scrambled/encoded
Requires an encryption key/software to encrypt
Requires a decryption key/encryption software to decrypt
Results in data which is not understandable/readable
Protects sensitive data
from being understood if it falls in to the wrong hands

(b) Name and describe the most appropriate validation check which would be
carried out
on the Race_ID field.
Format/Picture [1]
Checks the data is of the format beginning with a letter and ending in three digits
and is only
four characters long.
10. Anya wants to have a system which will make it easy to enter data.
Describe five features of a well designed input screen.
Appropriate spacing for each field
Buttons to go forward/backwards
Screen filled/not too much white space
Drop down lists to choose an option (such as race length)
Button to save data/submit/accept
Clearly defined input area for each field
Tick boxes/radio buttons to enter choices
An easy to read font/font size
A sensible font colour/background colour
Easy to follow instructions for completing screen/help icon
No overlapping of items

11. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to banks of using internet

banking.
Advantages:
Fewer bank tellers so less paid out in wages
Less actual cash handled fewer robberies
Have access to a wider customer base
Fewer branch offices needed less spent on rates/rent/utilities
Less money spent on security staff
Disadvantages
Initial cost of hardware/software is expensive
Need to retrain staff
Loss of customers/more difficult to sell other services due to lack of personal touch
Costs of system maintenance
12. Describe batch processing of data, using the processing of bank
cheques as an
example.
Data/cheques are collected together
during the course of the day
Data/cheques are then processed all at once
Data/cheques are processed overnight
Dank accounts updated following morning
No human intervention

13. Explain why the booking of airline tickets using batch processing
would not be a good idea.
It might lead to double booking
Customer would not be sure booking has been successful
Would take a long time to receive confirmation/ticket
Processing would take a long time
would cost company money
14.Explain the differences between parallel running and direct changeover
as ways of
implementing the new database.
Direct changeover new system replaces existing system immediately/overnight
Parallel running new system runs alongside/together with existing system
Parallel running there is always the old system to fall back on in the event of the
new
system failing/information is not lost/always a second copy/Direct changeover if
things

go wrong lose all data/old system is not available

Direct changeover benefits are immediately available
Parallel running is more expensive to implement than direct changeover....
....more expensive as two sets of workers have to be employed
Direct changeover less likelihood of errors as system will have been fully tested
Direct changeover is a quicker method of implementation than parallel running
Direct changeover training is more difficult to organise
Parallel running training can be gradual
15.Explain why it is necessary to carry out validation even though the data
has been
verified.
Source document may contain errors
Verification only checks that data is copied correctly
Verification does not check if data is reasonable/sensible
A correct explanation of an example of one validation check
16. A supermarket has a number of EFTPOS terminals.
Explain what is meant by EFTPOS and how such a system works.
Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale
Enables payment for goods at a checkout using credit/debit cards
Goods are purchased and bill is calculated
Customer inserts card into chip reader
Card is checked for validity/reported stolen
PIN is entered
PIN is compared with that stored on the chip
If PIN is OK/verified transaction is authorised
If not, customer is asked to re-enter PIN
Supermarket computer contacts customers bank
Checks if sufficient funds
If sufficient funds, transaction is completed/if not, transaction is rejected
Amount deducted from customers bank account
Amount credited to supermarkets bank account
The supermarket EFTPOS terminal produces a receipt
17. Car mechanics often use an expert system to help them with their
work in diagnosing car
engine faults.
Describe how this system would work.
Data is read by sensors/downloaded from onboard computer/entered using
keyboard/touch
screen/answers to questions are typed in
Uses interactive interface/Asks questions...
........based on previous responses
Expert system analyses data
Inference engine compares data
Compares data with that held in the knowledge base.......
........ using rules base

Matches are found

System suggests possible faults/solutions
18. A house has a microprocessor controlled central heating system.
(a) Describe the use of the following input devices in such a system.
Keypad
Sensor
Keypad to input required temperature
Sensor to input current temperature of the room
(b) Describe how the microprocessor would use the data from these
devices to control the
system.
Microprocessor stores required temperature as preset value
Compares temperature from sensor to pre-set temperature
If temperature is lower than preset value microprocessor sends a signal to turn
heater on
If higher than preset value microprocessor sends a signal (to the actuator) to turn
heater off
If values are equal microprocessor does nothing
Wait set period of time before looping

19. A customer uses a bank card to purchase a product at a supermarket

checkout. The
checkout operator uses a number of devices to input data about the
customer and the
product.
Identify four of these input devices and for each one describe a different
item of data that
will be input.
Chip reader

Bank/credit card account information/supermarket code

Bar code reader
Information from a product label/product identity number
Electronic scales
Weight of an item
Touch screen
Identification of product
Number pad
Bar code number when bar code reader cannot read bar code/the number of items
Magnetic stripe reader
Information about the customer
20. Boris will provide two types of documentation when the system is
implemented.
Name each type of documentation and for each one give two items which
would be
included.
Technical [1]
Two from:
Program listing
Programming language
Flowchart/algorithm
List of variables
File structure
Purpose of the system/program
Input format or example
Output format or example
Hardware requirements
Software requirements
Sample runs/test runs
Known bugs/possible errors
Validation rules
Limitations of the system [2]
User [1]
Two from:
How to load software/install/run software
How to save a file
How to search
How to sort
How to print
How to add records
How to delete/edit records
Purpose of the system/program (only if not mentioned in technical documentation)
Input format or example (only if not mentioned in technical documentation)
Output format or example (only if not mentioned in technical documentation)
Hardware requirements (only if not mentioned in technical documentation)
Software requirements (only if not mentioned in technical documentation)
Sample runs (only if not mentioned in technical documentation)
Error messages (only if not mentioned in technical documentation)

Error handling
Limitations of the system
Tutorials
Troubleshooting guide/Contact details/help line/FAQ
21. Spreadsheets are often used to produce computer models. There are
however, other
forms of models such as simulations.
Explain, using air pilot training as an example, what is meant by
simulation
Creating a model of a real system (such as a cockpit)
in order to study the behaviour of the system/pilot reactions
Is able to predict/react to the behaviour of the system or pilot
The cockpit simulation has all the controls normally found in an actual cockpit
Creating models of situations that pilots might meet in real life/Creates whatif
scenarios
22. Robots are now used on many car production lines.
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to the car company of using robots.
Car production is more consistent/robots produce the same standard every time
Cost once bought they do not have to be paid/fewer employees so lower
costs/dont have to
pay robots wages/lower running costs
No industrial disputes
Greater productivity
Greater accuracy/robots are more accurate
Can work in hazardous/extreme conditions/can lift heavier loads
Robots dont take breaks/can work 24 hours a day 7 days a week/can work
continuously
Robots have to be reprogrammed when there is a small change/cant think for
themselves
Robots need programming in order to be adaptable
Expensive start up costs redundancy payments
Expensive start up costs have to spend money on training workers to use robots
Expensive start up costs buying of robots/programming of robots
Computer crash would halt production
Maintenance/repair costs can be expensive

23. A group of car mechanics wants to have an expert system to help them
with their work in
diagnosing car engine faults.
Describe how such a system would be created.
Data is gathered/collected from experts
Knowledge base is designed/created
A structure to relate each item in the database / knowledge base is created
An interrogation technique to access the data is created
A user interface/method of displaying the results/method of inputting data/ input
screen/output
screen is designed/created
The inference engine is designed/created
The rules base is designed/created
The system is tested
24. Describe online processing of data, using the booking of airline tickets
as an example.
User/customer is in direct contact with the main computer/CPU
Appears that nobody else can access system at that point/processing is almost
immediate
Computer asks customer for details of flight
Computer asks for personal details of passengers
Computer searches for matching flights
Computer may display list of seats available
Computer may ask customer to select a seat
(Customer selects seat from those available and) computer flags seat as booked
Computer asks customer to complete payment details
Computer checks details are valid by communicating with customers bank
Computer checks if sufficient funds
Airlines database is updated immediately
Number of seats available reduces by number booked
Prevents double booking
Confirmation/e-ticket may be sent to customer by email

25. A head teacher wishes to publicise school activities to make his school
better known in the
neighbourhood. He could do this by using the schools website or
producing a magazine
using DTP to be delivered by hand.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Advantages of DTP
Can be sure every local family gets to see it
Not everybody has a computer/internet/modem
Can read it anywhere/not limited to where computer is.
Disadvantages of website
Cant be sure every local family gets to see it
Not everybody has a computer/internet/modem
Cant read it anywhere/ limited to where computer is.
Disadvantages of DTP
Takes time to physically distribute by hand
Might need to pay somebody to distribute by hand
Costs of ink/paper/printing
Not as easy to update
Not interactive/hyperlinks
No animation/video
No sound
Advantages of website
No costs of ink/paper/printing
Easier to update
Interactive/hyperlinks
Animation/video
Sound

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