computer systems exam questions

Question 1

State two advantages of using cloud storage instead of local storage

Answer 1

• enables user to access their data from more places/devices;
• enables user to more easily share data with others (can make parts of their
  cloud storage publicly available) // To allow sharing of files;

Question 1

State two reasons why computers have more RAM than cache memory.

Answer 1

• RAM is cheaper (per byte);
• Typically, the capacity of cache memory is not enough to store both data and
  programs

Question 2

Many new computers use solid-state storage for secondary storage rather than
magnetic storage.
Explain why solid-state storage is not fitted to every new computer

Answer 2

SSDs are (relatively) expensive // have higher cost per (giga)byte;
SSDs (typically) have lower capacity (than magnetic hard drives);

Question 3

what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “a”?

Answer 3

97

Question 4

what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “z”?

Answer 4

122

Question 5

what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “A”?

Answer 5

65

Question 6

what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “Z”?

Answer 6

90

Question 7

what is sample resolution

Answer 7

the number of bits per sample

Question 8

State two issues with only using usernames and passwords in an authentication
system.

Answer 8

• (weak) passwords are easily cracked
• it is difficult to verify the actual identity of the person logging in

Question 9

Describe one security measure that could be used, in addition to a password, to
make sure that a user is who they are claiming to be.

Answer 9

Biometrics;
(to be authenticated) reference data is compared to the individual’s (unique)
biometric data;

Question 10

State two reasons why data are compressed

Answer 10

• to reduce file size
  to make it faster to transmit