1.2.2 Applications Generation Exam Questions
Paper 1 · Computer Systems · 19 past paper questions · 62 marks
Exam questions for 1.2.2 Applications generation
19 OCR past paper questions (62 marks) with mark schemes
Answer each question, reveal the mark scheme, then award yourself marks. Scores and answers are saved in this browser so you can see which topics need more work.
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- Question 1H446/014 marks
DCC Software is a company that creates a wide range of software products for home computers. Its products include image, video and sound editing software. DCC Software makes significant use of software libraries. Explain the benefits of using software libraries to create software.
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Reduces development/debugging time Reduced programming knowledge is needed Libraries will already be tested Libraries are often optimised for performance Libraries are designed to work across multiple platforms Consistency between applications Reduces file sizes (DLLs) (4 marks - 1 per bullet, max 4)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 2H446/01 · June 20254 marks
The table shows different stages of code compilation labelled A, B, C and D. In each box write the letter of the stage that matches each description.
A Lexical analysis B Syntax analysis C Code generation D Code optimisation Description Letter Converts the high level code into low level instructions Examines the code and improves the efficiency of it without affecting the functionality Removes comments and whitespace and then converts the high level code into tokens Identifies syntax errors and creates an abstract syntax tree Show mark scheme
Converts the high level code into low level instructions - C (Code generation) Examines the code and improves the efficiency - D (Code optimisation) Removes comments and whitespace and converts to tokens - A (Lexical analysis) Identifies syntax errors and creates AST - B (Syntax analysis) (4 marks - 1 per correct match)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 3H446/012 marks
State two benefits of using an interpreter.
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Easier/faster to debug/fix errors/maintain Easier/faster to test code line by line Code will still run until the first error Code is portable across different architectures (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 4H446/012 marks
State two benefits of using a compiler.
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Do not need to distribute source code // protects intellectual property Do not need run-time environment // code is not re-translated each time it runs Faster run-time (once compiled) Produces an executable file Code is optimised (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 5H446/012 marks
Beth records how many steps she has completed over a seven-day period. She stores the total number of steps for each day in a text file. Beth would like a program that will take the values from the text file and then calculate the average number of steps per day. Beth needs to translate her code using a compiler or an interpreter. Describe one benefit to Beth of using a compiler instead of an interpreter.
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Only needs to be translated once… saving time when the program is run Generates an executable file … doesn't need a compiler / interpreter to run it Reports all errors (syntax)… to assist with debugging The program may run faster…as the executable code is run directly by the CPU (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 6H446/01 · June 20245 marks
State the most appropriate application software for each task in the table.
Task Application software Creating graphics such as a logo Writing letters to clients to confirm their appointment date and time Calculating the company profits at the end of each month Storing, searching and updating client details and purchases Creating brochures and flyers about the organisation Show mark scheme
Creating graphics - Graphics/image editing software Writing letters - Word processing software Calculating profits - Spreadsheet/Accounting software Storing client details - Database software Creating brochures - Desktop publishing software // DTP (5 marks - 1 per correct match)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 5 - Question 7H446/012 marks
Describe what linker means.
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Combines/links code/programs to files/software libraries... ...to form a single executable file (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 8H446/012 marks
Describe what loader means.
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It is part of the operating system Loads an executable file (into memory)... from secondary storage Loads the required software libraries (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 9H446/012 marks
All source code needs to be translated into object code using a translator. A software development company has written a new computer game in a high-level language. Identify which type of translator would be the most suitable for the computer game and give a reason why.
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Compiler Would protect their source code // keep their IP secret Meaning competitors cannot steal their ideas Would mean the game would run quicker (2 marks - 1 for type, 1 for reason)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 10H446/012 marks
Describe the difference between utility software and application software.
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Application software allows the user to solve a problem / complete a task Utility software is designed to monitor / manage / maintain a computer system (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 11H446/014 marks
Name two different types of application software that may be used by students, giving an example of how each may be used.
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Word Processor - Allows students to write essays / reports Spreadsheets - Allow students to track/aggregate/calculate data, create charts, model situations Presentation - Allows students to create presentations on a particular topic (4 marks - 1 for type, 1 for example per software, max 4)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 12H446/012 marks
Explain one advantage to the school of using open source software.
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Open Source Software allows access/modification to/of the source code ...can tailor the software to their specific needs ...may be more widely bug fixed ...there may be a wider pool of support available in the community Or: There will likely be no cost to purchasing a license... saving the school money (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 13H446/014 marks
Tick (✓) one box in each row to indicate which type of translator is being used.
Compiler Interpreter Assembler Creates an executable file Creates one line of object code for each line of source code Translates all the high-level code at once A program needs to be translated each time it is run Show mark scheme
Creates an executable file - Compiler (or Assembler) Creates one line of object code for each line - Interpreter Translates all high-level code at once - Compiler A program needs to be translated each time - Interpreter (4 marks - 1 per row)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 14H446/01 · June 20224 marks
Explain two differences between a compiler and an interpreter.
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Compiler translates code all at once/before it's executed, Interpreter translates code line by line / during runtime Compiler produces executable file for reuse, Interpreter needs to re-translate next time program is run Compiler lists all errors, Interpreter stops at the first error Compiled programs have source code hidden, Interpreted programs have source code visible (4 marks - mark in pairs, 2 differences with explanations)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 15H446/01 · June 20225 marks
For each statement shown in Table 5, tick (✓) one box in each row to indicate which stage of compilation each action takes place at.
Lexical analysis Syntax analysis Code generation Comments and whitespace are removed Keywords are replaced with tokens Object code is created Symbol table created for variables Builds an abstract syntax tree Table 5 Show mark scheme
Comments and whitespace removed - Lexical analysis Keywords replaced with tokens - Lexical analysis Object code created - Code generation Symbol table created - Lexical analysis Builds abstract syntax tree - Syntax analysis (5 marks - 1 per row)Lexical analysis Syntax analysis Code generation Comments and whitespace are removed ✓ Keywords are replaced with tokens ✓ Object code is created ✓ Symbol table created for variables ✓ Builds an abstract syntax tree ✓ Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 5 - Question 16H446/012 marks
Describe the purpose of code optimisation.
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To make the program run faster// code is more efficient To make the program use fewer resources/less memory (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2 - Question 17H446/019 marks
Charlie will use database management software to store customers' personal and appointment details. Charlie is considering both open source and closed source database software. Compare the differences between open source software and closed source software and recommend which type of database software Charlie should use. You should refer to: Cost, Usability, Extensibility, Security, Support available.
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Levels of response question (9 marks) AO1 Cost: Open Source generally free, may have maintenance costs. Closed Source have to pay license AO1 Usability: Open Source lower UI focus, source can be edited. Closed Source professionally developed, only executable distributed AO1 Security: Open Source many volunteer developers, code scrutinized by anyone. Closed Source closed teams, code scrutinized more AO1 Support: Open Source community support, editable source. Closed Source vendor support available AO2 Application: Open Source - lower overheads but training costs. Closed Source - vendor support means quicker fixes AO2 Usability: Open Source can develop bespoke features, may be harder to use. Closed Source higher finish standard, less buggy AO2 Security: Open Source may be less secure without oversight. Closed Source professional standards, quicker bug turnaround AO3 Evaluation: Open source for cost savings if self-support possible. Closed source if lacking technical skills, better UI and professional support for business uptimeMark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 9 - Question 18H446/01 · June 20193 marks
A simple program is shown in Fig. 8.1. The program is compiled. The first stage is Lexical Analysis. Referring to examples in the code in Fig. 8.1, explain what happens in Lexical Analysis.
//Program to calculate number of times //a number goes into 100 count = 0 num = int(input("Enter a number")) while (count*num)<=100 count=count+1 endwhile count=count-1 //Take one off as gone over print(str(num) + " goes into 100 " + str(count) + " times.")Fig. 8.1 Show mark scheme
The comments (and whitespace) are removed Variable names/identifiers added to a symbol table Reserved words/statement components are tokenized (3 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 3 - Question 19H446/01 · June 20182 marks
Explain the benefits to the users of the software being open source.
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Free of cost Right to inspect/amend/recompile source code Can tailor the program to their specific needs Code open for bugs to be spotted and fixed (2 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 2
- 1Translators: Compiler (whole program, fast execution), Interpreter (line-by-line, slower), Assembler (assembly→machine)
- 2Open source: Free to modify, community-driven, inconsistent support
- 3Closed source: Professional support, licensing costs, no source code access
- 4Utility programs: Defrag (HDD only), Antivirus, Compression, Backup
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