[1st Year] Graded Unit (All topics) Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 problem-solving tools?

A
  1. Flowcharts
  2. Brainstorming
  3. Solution Matrix
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2
Q

What is a flowchart?

A

A pictorial representation of the steps involved in a process. Arrows link elements to show the flow of a process and link together either the start/end of a process, an activity or a decision point. A flowchart should define the boundaries of a process and be based on reality.

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3
Q

What is brainstorming?

A

A group of people generates ideas. Designed to push creativity, excitement and motivation a brainstorming session should be either structured (everyone speaks in turn) or unstructured (just shout out what’s in your head) and only stops when everyone has exhausted their ideas.

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4
Q

What is a solution matrix?

A

This tool is designed to guide a team to make choices between potential solutions. It allows you to explore each potential solution and ‘rank’ your solutions, so it should help you to agree on picking the ‘best’ solution (as voted on by all members of the group).

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5
Q

What is a test strategy?

A

A test strategy is an outline that describes the testing approach that you are using. It is created to inform project managers, testers, and developers about some key issues of the testing process. This includes the testing objective, methods of testing new functions, total time and resources required for the project, and the testing environment.

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6
Q

What is a test plan?

A

The test plan document is usually prepared by the Test Lead or Test Manager and the focus of the document is to describe what to test, how to test when to test and who will do what test.

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7
Q

What is a linear approach?

A

Picking a solution to a problem and going through with it until the end, regardless of whether it works or not. Commonly, you would document each step and the outcomes of those steps.

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8
Q

What is a half split approach?

A

Commonly used by more experienced technicians - you would use an educated guess as to where a fault may lie and attempt to resolve it by using a solution using your experience.

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9
Q

What are the 7 systematic steps to troubleshooting?

A

1 - 4. Identify the symptoms, area, changes, source of problem.

  1. Implement the solution
  2. Test the solution
  3. Analyse the possible effects of the solution
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10
Q

What are the 7 stages of development?

A
  1. Analysis
  2. Design
  3. Implementation
  4. Testing
  5. Documentation
  6. Evaluation
  7. Maintenance
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11
Q

What is the name of the development/design process that follows these steps:

  1. Analysis
  2. Design
  3. Implementation
  4. Testing
  5. Documentation
  6. Evaluation
  7. Maintenance
A

Waterfall design/development

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12
Q

What is step 3 in the waterfall design model and what is its purpose?

A

Implementation. In this stage, you would create the program itself.

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13
Q

What does R.A.D stand for?

A

Rapid Application Development

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14
Q

What is step 1 in the waterfall design model and what is its purpose?

A

Analysis. This stage is where you would gather the information with the client. You would conduct survey and questionnaires to gather information on how the program will function.

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15
Q

What is step 2 in the waterfall design model and what is its purpose?

A

Design. This is where you would produce a design of the program using pseudocode and other design techniques.

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16
Q

What is step 4 in the waterfall design model and what is its purpose?

A

Testing. This is where testing of the program will be done. The testing will be done from the designed test plan.

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17
Q

What is step 5 in the waterfall design model and what is its purpose?

A

Documentation. This is when all documentation is created. Things like the user manual on how to use the program.

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18
Q

What is step 6 in the waterfall design model and what is its purpose?

A

Evaluation. This stage you would evaluate the team and you as an individual on how the task went. You would also gather information from the client on the program and how it does.

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19
Q

What is step 7 in the waterfall design model and what is its purpose?

A

Maintenance. This is for future development for the software thing like patches and error problems that were not discovered in the testing stage.

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20
Q

What are the 4 key elements in good programming practice?

A
  1. Portability
  2. Maintainability
  3. Reliability
  4. Efficiency
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21
Q

What is a sequence?

[Programming]

A

A sequence is one line of code executed after another.

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22
Q

Explain what selection is.

[Programming]

A

An if statement is an example of selection; a question is asked, and depending on the answer, the program takes one of ‘x’ courses of action, after which the program moves on to the next event.

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23
Q

What is repetition?

[Programming]

A

A loop is an example of repetition. It is where a section of code is repeated until, for example, a condition is met.

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24
Q

What does it mean when code is interpreted?

A

It means that code is interpreted by the interpreter, then executed one line at a time.

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25
Q

What is compiled code?

A

Compiled code is translated all in one go, then stored for execution.

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26
Q

Explain what a function is.

A

Functions are “self contained” modules of code that accomplish a specific task. Functions usually “take in” data, process it, and “return” a result. Once a function is written, it can be used over and over and over again.

Functions can be “called” from the inside of other functions.

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27
Q

What is a local variable?

A

A local variable is one that is defined inside of a function or sub procedure - it can only be used where it is initialised and cannot explicitly be used within another function or sub.

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28
Q

What is a global variable?

A

A global variable is defined in a class, rather than a function or sub. It can be used throughout the whole program.

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29
Q

What is an algorithm?

A

A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations.

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30
Q

Name the 3 design tools.

[Programming]

A
  1. Pseudocode
  2. System Flowchart
  3. Structure diagram
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31
Q

What is pseudocode?

A

Pseudocode is code that can be understood by non-programmers. It is a method of designing a program before you actually code it.

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32
Q

What is a system flowchart?

[Programming]

A

A system flowchart shows links between major modules, system resources, hardware and data memory.

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33
Q

What is a structure diagram?

[Programming]

A

Boxes are linked by line and arrows to show the module and the control and data relationships.

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34
Q

What is Rapid Application Development?

A

Prototyping is designed to reduce development if a program by allowing users to use a version of the program and gather feedback.

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35
Q

What is a link editor?

A

A program that takes one or more object and combines them together.

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36
Q

What is type-casting?

A

It is when you take an object or value of one type and you convert it to another. E.g. Decimal to Integer.

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37
Q

|| and && are examples of which kind of operators?

A

Logical.

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38
Q

+/- are examples of which kind of operators?

A

Arithmetic.

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39
Q

== and != are examples of which kind of operators?

A

Assignment.

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40
Q

What is a pre-conditional loop?

A

The loop has a pre-defined condition which it checks before the loop… ehm… loops again!

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41
Q

What is a nested IF?

A

An IF inside of another IF ಠ⌣ಠ

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42
Q

What is a compound IF?

A

A compound IF is one that has more than one condition.

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43
Q

What are variables?

A

A variable is a way to store data inside of memory.

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44
Q

Why do you initialise variables?

A

When a variable is declared, it will point to a piece of memory.

Accessing the value of the variable will give you the contents of that piece of memory.

However until the variable is initialised, that piece of memory could contain anything. This is why using it is unpredictable.

TL;DR You do it because that memory location could already hold data.

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45
Q

What is an integer?

A

An integer is a whole number.

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46
Q

What is a string?

A

A string is an array of characters, for example, a word or a sentence.

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47
Q

What is a float?

A

A float is a 32-bit decimal number a.k.a a real number.

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48
Q

What is a double?

A

A double is a 64-bit decimal number.

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49
Q

What is a do-loop?

A

A do while loop is a control flow statement that executes a block of code at least once, and then repeatedly executes the block, or not, depending on a given boolean condition at the end of the block.

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50
Q

What is a while-loop?

A

A while loop is a control flow statement that allows code to be executed repeatedly based on a given Boolean condition. The while loop can be thought of as a repeating if statement.

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51
Q

What is a for-loop?

A

A for loops is a control flow statement for specifying iteration, which allows code to be executed repeatedly.

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52
Q

What is an array?

A

A series of objects all of which are the same size and type.

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53
Q

What is an event-driven program?

A

Event-driven programming is a programming paradigm in which the flow of the program is determined by events such as user actions (mouse clicks, key presses), sensor outputs, or messages from other programs/threads.

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54
Q

Why should a program have input validation?

A

To determine whether the input received is valid and can be processed by the program without throwing errors, crashing or doing something that is out of bounds of the program specification.

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55
Q

What is the difference between a programming syntactical rule and a convention?

A

A syntactical rule is a rule that must be followed for the code to work a convention is a rule for good practice like using meaningful variable names.

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56
Q

Give two examples of programming conventions.

A
  1. Meaningful variable names

2. Comments

57
Q

What is a syntax error?

A

A syntax error occurs in the code of the program. It occurs when the code does not follow the rules of the language - for example, a missing ; or end of statement.

58
Q

What is a logical error?

A

A logical error is one that does not cause the program to crash and occurs due to mathematical errors, such as 2+2 = 5 etc…

59
Q

What is ByVal?

A

By Value. It is used when passing parameters to functions and procedures. It means to copy a value and use it so it can be changed.

60
Q

What is ByRef?

A

By Reference.It is used when passing parameters to functions and procedures. It means to copy the memory location of a piece of data and references its value without changing it.

61
Q

Why should you comment on your code?

A

You should use comments so it is easier to understand your own program or for another programmer to understand yours.

62
Q

What is a good rule to follow when declaring variables?

A

Use a good name that means something. start with a lower case letter. For example, ‘customerName’.

63
Q

Computer Misuse Act _ _ _ _

A

1990

64
Q

What is the purpose of the Computer Misuse Act?

A

The computer misuse act was designed to protect data on computer systems.

65
Q

What are the 3 offenses of the Computer Misuse Act?

A
  1. Unauthorised access to computer material.
  2. Unauthorised access to commit or further facility further offenses.
  3. Unauthorised modification of computer material.
66
Q

What are the penalties for committing offense 1 of the Computer Misuse Act?

A

6 months in prison and/or a hefty fine.

67
Q

What are the penalties for committing offense 2 of the Computer Misuse Act?

A

A prison sentence of five years and/or a hefty fine.

68
Q

What are the penalties for committing offense 3 of the Computer Misuse Act?

A

A prison sentence of five years and/or a hefty fine.

69
Q

Explain how you would commit offense 1 of the Computer Misuse Act.

A

Using someone password and looking at their documents.

70
Q

Explain how you would commit offense 2 of the Computer Misuse Act.

A

Purposely logging on to a system to commit a crime.

71
Q

Explain how you would commit offense 3 of the Computer Misuse Act.

A

Purposely deleting or changing data.

72
Q

Data Protection Act _ _ _ _

A

1998

73
Q

What is the purpose of the Data Protection Act?

A

The data protection act was created to protect personal data.

74
Q

What is meant by the data subject?

A

Data belongs to the data subject.

75
Q

What is meant by the data controller?

A

The data controller is in charge on how the data is handled per the data protection act.

76
Q

What is meant by the data processor?

A

The data processor is the person that process data.

77
Q

What is meant by personal data?

A

Personal data is data that belongs to a person that contains their name, address, and age.

78
Q

Name the 8 data protection principles.

A
  1. Kept Safe and secure
  2. Kept up to date
  3. Not transferred outside the EU
  4. Kept for as long as necessary
  5. used fairly and lawfully
  6. Kept up to date
  7. Handled according to people data protection rights
  8. Used in was that are adequate, relevant and not excessive.
79
Q

What is PECR?

A

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation of 2003 was created to give more specific privacy right in relation to electronic communications.

80
Q

What year was PECR established?

A

2003

81
Q

Freedom of Information Act _ _ _ _

A

2002

82
Q

What is the Freedom of Information Act (2002)?

A

The freedom of information act was created so that a public sector company had to be open about what work they were doing.

83
Q

Consumer Rights Act _ _ _ _

A

2015

84
Q

What is the Consumer Rights Act (2015)?

A

The consumer rights act was created to give consumers right when purchasing an item or a service.

85
Q

WEEE _ _ _ _

A

2014

86
Q

What does WEEE stand for?

A

Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment

87
Q

What is the WEEE (2014) act?

A

The WEEE was designed to set a standard on how all waste should be disposed of either domestically or abroad.

88
Q

What is the Health and Safety Work Act (1974)?

A

The Health and Safety Work Act was created to prevent injury in the workplace.

89
Q

Give examples of how to conform to the health and safety at work act?

A

No loose cables and proper training in place for employees.

90
Q

Display Screen Equipment Act _ _ _ _

A

1992

91
Q

What is the Display Screen Equipment Act (1992)?

How could you conform to it?

A

It sets a standard on how computer screen equipment must be addressed with in an office or working environment.

Proper Training
Eye tests
Risk Assessments
Breaks for staring at the screen
No glare on the screen, able to adjust contrast.
92
Q

Equality Act _ _ _ _

A

2010

93
Q

What is the Equality Act (2010)?

A

The equality act was created to make it illegal to discriminate against anyone for any reason.

94
Q

What is Intellectual Property?

A

Intellectual property is something unique that you physically create.

95
Q

Design and Patents Act _ _ _ _

A

1988

96
Q

What is the Design and Patents Act (1988)?

A

It was designed to stop people stealing someone else’s work. It has a minimum penalty of 3 to 6 months in prison and anything up to a £5000 fine.

97
Q

How long does a patent last?

A

20yrs

98
Q

What is a device driver?

A

A device driver contains all the instruction on how to connect to the device.

99
Q

Name 3 scheduling policies.

A

Running
Waiting
Blocked

100
Q

What does the control unit do?

A

The control unit handles all actions within the CPU by sending control signals.

101
Q

What does the program counter do?

A

The program counter determines in what sequence the program instructions are to be executed.

102
Q

What does the Memory Address Register do?

A

The Memory Address register holds the next location of data to be processed.

103
Q

What does the Memory Data Register do?

A

MDR, also known as the data buffer hold all data that has been read from main memory or data to be written to main memory.

104
Q

What does the Instruction Register do?

A

The instruction register Is used to hold the instruction for the current bit of data and how it is to be processed.

105
Q

Name the five layers of the OS? Top down. Describe their purpose.

A
  1. User Interface - enables the user to interact with the operating system.
  2. File Management - Responsible for organising and managing the storage of data on a permanent medium.
  3. Input and Output - Controls all the physical communication with external devices.
  4. Memory Management - Oversees sharing all the physical memory in the computer between the different process which way to use it.
  5. Kernel - Overseer of all the layer its job is to handle interrupts and regulates the timekeeping of the system and allows layers to communicate with each other.
106
Q

Describe how a CPU process data form RAM?

A

The CPU will send the address down the address bus to ram. Next the Control unit within the CPU will send a control signal to transfer data. The data will then move along the data bus to the CPU where it will be processed.

107
Q

What is integration testing?

A

Testing two or more parts of a system to make sure they work together.

108
Q

What is regression testing?

A

After a fault has been fixed they system should be re-tested.

109
Q

What is modular testing?

A

Splitting the system up for testing.

110
Q

What is verification testing?

A

A test to show that the product meets the specification.

111
Q

What is black box testing?

A

Testing to ensure that a system produces the correct output but not each stage.

112
Q

What is dynamic testing?

A

An implementation exercise is used when using a dynamic testing technique.

113
Q

What is functional testing?

A

Checking that each part of the system does what it is supposed to do.

114
Q

What is bottom-up analysis?

A

Designing a system module by module then bringing it together.

115
Q

What is bench testing?

A

Another name for prototyping.

116
Q

What is an archive attribute?

A

An archive attribute is also known as a backup marker. When a file is changed, the AA is set, indicating that the file has been modified since the last backup. This marker distinguishes the different backup types.

117
Q

What is a normal backup?

A

A normal backup, backs everything up.

118
Q

What is a differential backup?

A

A differential backup looks for the archive bit but does not clear it. It backups files that have changed since the normal backup was made. So, for instance; the first backup is normal so that all data is backed up, then a differential backup will be made later but only copying files that have been modified.

It brings back the first backup (normal) and the most recent differential.

119
Q

What is an incremental backup?

A

An incremental backup copies all changes since the last backup. So when restoring, it restores every single incremental backup. This is faster to backup, but slower to restore.

120
Q

What is a Windows backup?

A

Windows backup does not backup log files by default etc… It only backups the file structure and so on. But you could modify this if you wish.
Files that are open or locked cannot be backed up, which is why these are done at night.

121
Q

Briefly explain DMA.

A

DMA, Direct Memory Access - A device that can access memory directly without consulting the CPU. DMA devices only mean that the CPU can work on other things. DMA devices go into memory and say “give me a lot of X so I can do stuff with it” while the CPU gets out of the way for a sec and does it’s thing again. It does not process the data, this is left for the DMA device.

122
Q

What is the difference between static and dynamic RAM?

A

Dynamic - Volatile, cheap, needs to be refreshed constantly to keep data in memory.

Static -
Expensive, no refresh (always accessible), kept as cache because of cost and speed.

123
Q

EDO RAM? What does it do?

A

Will bring in chunks of data even if it is not necessary, intelligent enough to say “user has asked for memory location A, likely to want B….F” so it brings that too.

It is asynchronous, so it works with its own clock.

124
Q

What does SIMM and DIMM stand for?

A

Single Inlet Memory Module, Dual Inlet Memory Module.

125
Q

What is SDRAM?

A

Synchronous Dynamic RAM. Works on system clock. Used for system memory.

126
Q

DDR?

A

Double Data Rate. Able to perform operations on the rise and fall of the system clock. Doubles speed of system bus.

127
Q

RDRAM?

A

Rambus. Super fast. Super expensive.

128
Q

WRAM?

A

Windows RAM. Faster than normal VRAM because it works similar to EDORAM, getting data in chunks and bursts.

129
Q

ECC?

A

Error Correcting Code. Able to correct data errors in real time.

130
Q

ROM?

A

Read Only Memory. Permanently stores data.

131
Q

PROM?

A

Programmable Read Only Memory. Can be written to once.

132
Q

EPROM?

A

Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory. Erased via UV light up to ten times. Best to use for testing.

133
Q

EEPROM?

A

Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory - Can be used as many times as you like. Pen drive is basically an EEPROM and BIOS chips nowadays too.

134
Q

Cache?

A

On the CPU itself, extremely quick. CPU looks in cache before it looks in memory. If data is found in cache, that is used instead of looking into RAM.

135
Q

Look through?

[Memory]

A

CPU requests data from cache, if not in cache, requests data from main memory.

136
Q

Look aside?

[Memory]

A

CPU interrogates cache and main at the same time. This is faster as it gets data from cache if available.

137
Q

Write through?

[Memory]

A

When cache is updated, main memory is updated at the same time.

138
Q

Write back?

[Memory]

A

Similar to write through method except the main memory is only updated if there I a difference in the contents of the cache.

139
Q

Virtual memory? What is it? How is it stored?

A

Windows stores data as *.swp files. HDD stores as page files. Hard disk is used as RAM when RAM is full so that CPU can still access memory.