Unit 1: Introduction to Computers
Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks each)
-
Define a computer. What is the IPO (Input-Process-Output) cycle?
-
Differentiate between analog and digital computers with examples.
-
List five major characteristics of modern computers.
-
What are the five generations of computers? Name the key electronic switching component used in each.
-
Classify computers on the basis of size and processing capacity: Microcomputer, Minicomputer, Mainframe, and Supercomputer.
Long Answer Questions (5-8 marks each)
-
Describe the five fundamental components of a computer system: Hardware, Software, Data, Procedures, and People. Explain how they interact. (8 marks)
-
Explain the four primary functions of a computer: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage. Give examples of devices for each function. (6 marks)
-
Trace the evolution of computer generations from vacuum tubes to Artificial Intelligence. Highlight the technological shifts in power, memory, and programming. (8 marks)
Unit 2: Information Technology and Business
Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks each)
-
What is an Information System (IS)? List its fundamental building blocks.
-
Define Digital Transformation. Why is it a strategic priority for modern enterprises?
-
Explain the relationship between Data, Information, Knowledge, and Business Intelligence.
-
What is the difference between operational, tactical, and strategic information needs in an organization?
-
How does Information Technology support organizational structures and decision-making?
Long Answer Questions (5-8 marks each)
-
Discuss the strategic role of Information Technology in contemporary business. Illustrate your answer with examples from Nepalese banking, retail, or hospitality industries. (8 marks)
-
Explain how Information Systems support different organizational levels: Transaction Processing Systems (TPS), Management Information Systems (MIS), and Decision Support Systems (DSS). (6 marks)
Unit 3: Computer System Hardware
Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks each)
-
What is the Central Processing Unit (CPU)? Name its three primary internal components.
-
Differentiate between Primary Memory (RAM) and Secondary Storage with examples.
-
What is cache memory, and why is it placed between the CPU and main RAM?
-
Explain the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory. Give two examples of each.
-
Differentiate between Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid-State Drives (SSD).
-
What is the system bus? Identify the functions of the Data Bus, Address Bus, and Control Bus.
Long Answer Questions (5-8 marks each)
-
Explain the CPU instruction cycle (Fetch, Decode, Execute, Store) and how the Control Unit and ALU work together during execution. (8 marks)
-
Illustrate and explain the Computer Memory Hierarchy in terms of speed, cost per bit, and capacity: Registers, Cache, Main Memory, and Secondary Storage. (6 marks)
-
Categorize input and output devices. Discuss how modern Human Data Entry devices (e.g., RFID, OCR, biometric scanners) streamline retail and banking operations. (6 marks)
Unit 4: Computer Software
Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks each)
-
Differentiate between System Software and Application Software with two examples of each.
-
What is an Operating System (OS)? List its core objectives.
-
What is the difference between a Compiler and an Interpreter?
-
Explain the Build vs. Buy decision when acquiring enterprise software.
-
What is Utility Software? Provide three examples used in system maintenance and security.
Long Answer Questions (5-8 marks each)
-
Describe the major management functions of an Operating System: Process Management, Memory Management, File Management, and Device Management. (8 marks)
-
Explain the evolution of programming languages from first-generation machine languages to fifth-generation natural language/declarative paradigms. (6 marks)
-
Discuss software acquisition strategies available to a business (custom development, COTS, SaaS, open-source). What factors should a management committee evaluate? (6 marks)
Unit 5: Data Communication and Computer Network
Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks each)
-
Define data communication. What are its five essential components (Sender, Receiver, Medium, Message, Protocol)?
-
Differentiate between Guided (wired) and Unguided (wireless) transmission media.
-
Compare LAN, MAN, and WAN in terms of geographic coverage, ownership, and speed.
-
What is a network topology? List four common physical topologies.
-
Differentiate between a Network Hub, Switch, and Router.
-
What is a communication protocol? State the purpose of the TCP/IP protocol suite.
Long Answer Questions (5-8 marks each)
-
Compare physical network topologies (Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Tree). Discuss the advantages, failure points, and cost factors of each topology for an office setup. (8 marks)
-
Describe guided communication media: Twisted Pair (UTP/STP), Coaxial Cable, and Fiber Optic Cable. Compare them in bandwidth, attenuation, EMI resistance, and cost. (6 marks)
-
Discuss the business importance of computer networking. How do enterprise networks support remote work, collaboration, and centralized resource sharing? (6 marks)
Case Study Questions
Case Study 1: Office Hardware & Software Deployment (10 marks)
A commercial firm in Kathmandu is opening a branch with 25 employees: 5 executives, 15 administrative/accounting personnel, and 5 field sales representatives.
a) Recommend appropriate hardware configurations (desktop vs. laptop, CPU, RAM, storage) for each of the three user groups. (4 marks)
b) Recommend the required system and application software licenses, justifying whether they should adopt on-premise Office packages or cloud-based SaaS (e.g., Google Workspace / Microsoft 365). (3 marks)
c) What backup hardware and power supply protections (e.g., Online UPS, external backup NAS) should be implemented to prevent data loss? (3 marks)
Case Study 2: Branch Network Infrastructure Design (10 marks)
A retail supermarket with three checkout counters, a warehouse inventory desk, and a manager’s office needs a local network.
a) Propose a suitable network topology for this branch. Justify your choice based on reliability and fault tolerance. (3 marks)
b) What physical transmission media and networking hardware (switch, router, access point) should be installed? (4 marks)
c) How should the manager ensure that guest Wi-Fi for customers is isolated from internal POS payment terminals? (3 marks)
Answer Guidelines & Revision Notes
Units 1–2 Key Revision Points
- IPO Cycle: Input (Keyboard/Scanner) $\rightarrow$ Process (CPU/ALU) $\rightarrow$ Output (Monitor/Printer) with Storage (SSD/RAM).
- Generations: Vacuum Tubes (1st) $\rightarrow$ Transistors (2nd) $\rightarrow$ Integrated Circuits (3rd) $\rightarrow$ Microprocessors (4th) $\rightarrow$ Artificial Intelligence (5th).
- Information Hierarchy: Data (raw facts) $\rightarrow$ Information (contextualized data) $\rightarrow$ Knowledge (actionable understanding) $\rightarrow$ Intelligence.
Units 3–4 Key Revision Points
- Memory Hierarchy: CPU Registers (fastest, smallest) $\rightarrow$ L1/L2/L3 Cache $\rightarrow$ RAM (volatile) $\rightarrow$ Solid-State Drive $\rightarrow$ Hard Disk Drive / Cloud Archive.
- Operating System Roles: Process scheduling, virtual memory allocation, file systems (FAT32/NTFS), peripheral device drivers.
- Software Acquisition: Custom build offers competitive uniqueness but high CapEx; Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) offers rapid deployment; SaaS offers low upfront cost with recurring OpEx.
Unit 5 Key Revision Points
- Transmission Media: Fiber optic uses light pulses through glass (immune to EMI, highest bandwidth); Twisted pair is standard for office Ethernet (Cat 6).
- Topologies: Star topology is industry standard for office LANs (managed switch at center, single cable failure does not drop the entire network).
- Network Devices: Switches forward frames based on MAC addresses; Routers route packets between different networks based on IP addresses.
