IGNOU BCS-11
- Computer Basics and PC Software,
Latest Solved Assignment
(July 2024 - January 2025)

Question 1:

(a) What are the functions of various operational units of a computer system? What is von Neumann Architecture? How can you relate von Neumann architecture to an actual computer? Explain with the help of an example configuration.

(b) Compare and contrast the characteristics and/or organization of the following:

(i) DRAM Vs. SRAM
(ii) Access time on Magnetic disks Vs. access time on Magnetic tapes
(iii) Pen Drive Vs. CD-RW
(iv) ROM Vs. PROM

(c) Convert the following numbers as stated

(i) Decimal 64.005125 to binary
(ii) Decimal 2376 to hexadecimal
(iii) Character A and Z to ASCII and Unicode Hexadecimal CFE9A to binary

(d) What is an instruction? What are its components? What is the role of an instruction in a computer? Explain with the help of an example. Where does the instruction reside at the time of execution.

(e) A 2.5 inch diameter disk has 8 platters with each platter having two data recording surfaces, each platter on disk has 4084 tracks, each track has 400 sectors and one sector can store 1 MB of data. Calculate the storage capacity of this disk in Bytes. If this disk has a seek time of 2 milli-seconds and rotates at the speed of 6000 rpm, find the Access time for the disk. Make suitable assumptions, if any.

(f) What are the uses of various components of motherboard of a computer? List at least four output devices and ports to which these devices can be connected. Explain the characteristics of these output devices and ports.

(g) What are the uses of following Software:

(i) Data Compression Utility
(ii) Media Player
(iii) Disk Defragmenter
(iv) Disk checker

Question 2:

(a) Why do you need virus detection software? What are their drawbacks? What are the techniques to identify a virus? List any 4 latest virus for desktop systems.(b) Consider that you have to run several computer programs simultaneously on a computer. Each program takes input from a file and output information on a printer. How does different components of an Operating system (like memory management, I/O management, Process management, file system and user interface) will help in execution of these programs.
(c) Explain the differences between procedural programming and object oriented programming with the help of one example program of each.
(d) Draw a flow chart of a program that adds N even numbers starting from 1. The value of N should be input by the user.
(e) List the elements of a programming language. Explain the terms data type, expression, assignment; and logical, relational and equality operators with the help of an example each.
(f) What are the phases of project development in which project management software can help. Explain with the help of examples.
(g) Explain the following with the help of an example/diagram, if needed:

(i) Development Model for Open Source Software
(ii) Tools for program development
(iii) Use of functions and Macros
(iv) Database and Database Management System

Question 3:

(a) Explain the characteristics of any two guided and any two unguided channels for data transmission.
(b) Four branch offices of an organisation are located in four major cities of a vast country. Explain the characteristics of the network that will be needed for every branch office. All the four branch offices network should also be connected by another network. Explain the characteristics of this network also.
(c) What is Internet? What are the major protocols used on Internet? What is an IP address? How can an IP address be related to a web address? Explain with the help of an example.
(d) What are the different features of a browser? If you want to perform Online Banking Transactions, what precautions will you take before performing a transaction?
(e) Describe the process of creating a web email account. What are the different components of a mail message? Explain with the help of a diagram.
(f) Explain the following in the context of Internet and its applications, giving their features and uses:

(i) Online Education
(ii) eCommerce

Q1. (Covers Block 1)

a) A computer program consists of instructions and data on which the instruction operates. How are these instructions of a program executed by a computer? Where are these instructions and data stored during execution? What is the role played by Input/output devices?

b) Computer systems always have small RAM, yet it mostly has a large secondary memory like hard disk? Why? The access time of a hard disk is much larger than RAM, even than RAM is smaller in size than hard disk. Justify. Also, mention various types of RAM.

c) Convert the following numbers as directed
(i) 264.015(10) into binary and hexadecimal
(ii) 345611(10) into octal and binary
(iii) String “DATA STRUCTURES marks 50” to ASCII and Unicode string
(iv) 8D614E(16) to decimal and binary

d) How can you calculate the capacity of a Winchester disk given its density and speed? A disk has 10 recording surfaces. Each surface has 2000 tracks, each track has 512 sectors and each sector can store 1MB of data. Calculate the capacity of this disk.

e) Compare and contrast the following technologies:
(i) Parallel Port versus Serial Port
(ii) Light Pen versus Touch Screen
(iii) LED Monitors versus Projection Displays
(iv) Laser printers versus Inkjet printers

f) Explain the characteristics/functions of the following I/O devices:
(i) Flash Drive
(ii) Graphics Tablet
(iii) PenDrive
(iv) External Hard Disk

g) Explain the uses of following Software/Utilities:
(i) TALLY software
(ii) Defender in WINDOWS-11
(iii) Disk Fragmenter
(iv) Database software

Q2. (Covers Block 2)

a) What is client/server architecture? What are its advantages and disadvantages? Is cloud computing also a client/server architecture? Justify your answer.

b) Explain the features and uses of the following computer software:
(i) Debugger
(ii) Linkers
(iii) Editor
(iv) Spreadsheet software

c) What is the kernel of an operating system of a Computer? Explain the terms multiuser, multiprogramming and multitasking in the context of an operating system.

d) Differentiate between the following:
(i) GUI versus Voice Input
(ii) File Management system versus Input/Output control system in the context of an Operating system
(iii) A process versus a program
(iv) LINUX versus WINDOWS

e) Draw a flow chart and write an algorithm to find the sum of n numbers given as input. (You must use looping construct).

f) Define the following terms in the context of programming with the help of an example for each:
(i) Loop- statement
(ii) N-dimensional Arrays
(iii) Logical operators
(iv) Relational Operators

g) Explain the following with the help of an example/diagram, if needed:
(i) Proprietary software
(ii) Scheduling in the context of project management software
(iii) Mailmerge in MS-Word
(iv) Creating tables using a DBMS.

Q3. (Covers Block 3)

(a) Explain the following terms in the context of computer networks:
(i) Packet switching
(ii) Half Duplex transmission
(iii) Need of computer networks
(iv) Channel of data transmission.

(b) A Multinational company has its sales offices in 100 different countries of the World. It uses a computer network to collect world- wise sale and order data at its head office. What kind of network the company should make for its sales offices and head office? Justify your answer.

(c) What is TCP/IP? What is an IP address? Explain various components of IP address with the help of an example.

(d) What is a browser? How does a browser work? How does it communicate with the web server? Explain with the help of an example.

(e) How can you enhance your search results from Internet? Explain with the help of examples. List four applications of the Internet.

(f) Explain the following in the context of Internet and its applications,giving their features and uses:
(i) Search Engine
(ii) Micorsoft Edge