1. What is an algorithm? Provide a simple example of each of Structured English, Pseudo Code, a flow chart and a structure diagram.
2. What is a macro?
A macros is text written in a special purpose application control language. For instance we can create a macro in Microsoft Word that will change the printer orientation to landscape simply by pressing a control sequence instead of going through a number of screens to do the same thing. Macros save time. They are also dangerous. Viruses are often written in a macro language and can cause a lot of trouble when you attempt to open a file that contains a macro virus.
3. What does a compiler do?
A compiler translates source code into machine code, links it to libraries of existing machine code procedures and functions. The result of compiling is an executable file made up of machine code instructions.
4. What does an interpreter do?
An interpreter will run a source code program by translating one instruction line at a time and then sending the resultant machine code instructions to the processor for immediate execution. Interpreters are often used for developing software as they work quickly and are good for debugging. Final versions of software are nearly always compiled into machine code using a compiler.
5. What are 5 functions of your Windows operating system?
(i) Can save and retrieve files (ii) can manage hardware such as printers and keyboards (iii) can organize files into structures such as folders (iv) can be used to make back ups (v) can provide information about the hardware and performance metrics of the computer.
6. What is application software?
Any software that is not operating system software is application software. Application software is software used to make the computer useful for one specific purpose. For instance Microsoft Office is a suite of programs that make the computer able to be used for office automation type functions.
7. What could a CAD program do that you could not easily do with a simple drawing program?
CAD programs often have (i) a dimensioning function (ii) a zoom function (iii) a library of pre-designed shapes (iv) rotation functions
8. What can be done with a DTP program that is difficult to do with a word processor?
Desktop publishing Programs are designed for creating commercial standard items such as magazines and books. As such, they have powerful features that good superior control over the way a document looks. There is much better control over text and graphics. DTP packages are designed for assembling very large pieces of work such as a novel. A word processor would not be suitable for this purpose.
9. What features does a spreadsheet program have that are not found in a database program?
Spreadsheet packages have good chart creation functions. Though some DBMS packages have charting facilities, most do not. Spreadsheet packages are used to manipulate financial models. These models COULD be developed using a DBMS but it would be considerably harder to do so than it is to use a program like Excel.
10. What is an integrated package?
An integrated package will consist of several separate packages that are able to easily share data between themselves. Each package will also have the same style – similar menu structures and common button styles. Microsoft Office is an integrated package that contains many office automation tools such as a word processor, spreadsheet, DBMS and presentation package
11. What does Export / Import mean?
Export means to transfer information created with one package into another package. This often means translating the source information into a format that is acceptable to the destination package. For instance, a flowchart made with VISIO can be imported into a word processing file as long as it has been saved in an acceptable format such as jpeg or bmp. A worksheet table of information can be exported to a database table. A database table can be imported into an Excel worksheet. In many cases, the conversion of data types is not seen by the user. This is a feature of Microsoft Office.
