SOLUTION

UW Department of Electrical Engineering

Mid Semester Examination (Fall – 2019)

Course Code CS-102 Registration No. SOLUTION

Course Title Introduction to Computing Discipline/Semester BSc Electrical Engg./1st Semester
Total Marks 50 (Fifty) Time Allowed 1 ½ hours

PLO-1: Engineering Knowledge: An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering

fundamentals and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems.

CLO-1: Explain the structure & operation of computer system & network.
CLO-2: Solve problems by developing algorithms for basic C-Programs.
Note: Start each question from new page. Attempt all questions in the same sequence as they appear in the question paper. Show all
steps, avoid verbosity and don’t make shortcuts. Draw diagrams where necessary. The work presented by you must be your own.

Q.1 PLO-1, CLO-1 [8 x 2 = 16 marks]

a) Represent the following decimal numbers in its binary equivalent by using any technique
you have studied?

i. 33 100001

ii. 125 1111101

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b) Represent the following binary numbers in its decimal equivalent by using any technique
you have studied?

i. 10101001 169

ii. 1100011000 792

Q.2 PLO-1, CLO-1 [2 x 5 = 10 marks]

Explain each one of the following in maximum 05 lines:

i. Bits and Bytes

A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of data a computer can use or recognise. A
bit has a single binary value, either 0 or 1. The byte is a unit of digital information that
consists of eight bits.
ii. Average access time (and its dependency)
Also known as “seek time” is a time to find desired data. It is measured in milliseconds and
it depends on two factors disk speed in rev per min RPM and time to access a disk track.

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iii. Screen resolution
The term resolution refers to the sharpness or clarity of an image. It is determined by the
number of piixels on the screen.The more pixels the monitor can display the higher its
resolution.and clearer its images appear.
iv. Types of Opearting system
There are various types of Operating Systems which includes Windows, MAC, iOS, android,
Linux etc.
v. Disk Fragmentation
As we create, modify, copy and delete files over time, many files become scattered around on
the disk, this process is known as Disk Fragmentation.

Q.3 PLO-1, CLO-1 [4 x 6 = 24 marks]

i. Explain why ROM is called as “read only” memory and which data is stored in it?

At factory level, the data is permanently stored into the chips which can only be read/used
and can’t be altered, so this memory is called read only memory.

ROM contains a set of startup instructions for a computer called the basic input output
system BIOS for a computer.

ii. Categorize any 06 peripheral devices of computer w.r.t its data input/output nature?

Input Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner etc.

Output Devices: Printer, Speakers, Monitor etc.

iii. Explain the series of steps which CPU takes while processing of each instruction?

1. Fetching: CPU gets the instruction

2. Decoding: Mold it as per its instruction set
3. Executing: CPU performs the instruction
4. Storing: Results may require to be stored

iv. Clarify the difference between system software and application software? Also give 03
examples of each.

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System software is general purpose software which is used to operate computer hardware.
It provides platform to run application software. Application software is specific purpose
software which is used by user for performing specific task.

v. Illustrate the use of computer in government organizations by mentioning 03 applications?

Computer is widely used in:

NADRA for issuing the computerized national identity cards to the citizens of Pakistan,
maintaining their sensitive information and securing national identities of the citizens of
Pakistan from being stolen and theft.

Banks for carrying out transactions, process customer needs, prepare internal and external
reports, communicate with key participants and generate profits.

Police Station to check the identity or other credentials of individuals at the scene of a
crime, as well as recording and tracking vital data such as vehicle license plates. Also to
track the position of GPS devices, helping law enforcement officers to find vehicles.

vi. Summarize 03 tasks you can perform to improve the computer’s hard disk performance?

The following tasks can be performed on the operating system:

1) Clean up unnecessary/temporary files which may include various versions of

documents, printer pending files, backup files, web browser internet files etc.

2) Scanning a disk for errors by running a built-in windows utility. The error can be a bad
spot on the disks physical surface or it can be a piece of data that cannot be accounted for
in the file allocation table.

3) Disk Defragmentation (which is a windows built in utility) can be run to ensure that the
files are stored as efficiently as possible on the disk.

The End

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