IGNOU BCA Solved Assignment 1st semester 2020

This assignment has three questions of 80 marks. Answer all the questions. Rest 20 marks are for viva voce. You may use illustrations and diagrams to enhance explanations. Please go through the guidelines regarding assignments given in the Programme Guide for the format of the presentation. Please give precise answers. The word limit for each part is 200 words.

Q1. (Covers Block 1) (7×4=28)

a) Explain the von Neumann Architecture with the help of a diagram. Is this architecture used in current personal computers? Justify your answer. Explain the role of integrated circuits in the design of computers. Also, explain the classification of the computer-based on technology.

b) Explain the term binary digit. How the binary number system is different from the decimal number system? How do you represent computer instruction in binary? Explain with the help of an example. List and explain the role of various components of computer instruction. What is the role of bus and registers in instruction execution?

c) Convert the following numbers as directed
(i) Decimal 257.125 into binary and hexadecimal
(ii) Decimal 999876789 into binary and hexadecimal
(iii) String “Test for number 45, @check” to ASCII and Unicode strings
(iv) Hexadecimal 4F9A8C7D to decimal and binary

d) What is the role of memory in a computer system? Why are primary and secondary memory needed in a computer system? What is RAM? How is it different from ROM? Which of the two, RAM or ROM is volatile?

e) Define the term access time for a hard disk. Explain with the help of an example, how to access time and storage capacity for magnetic disks are calculated. How is the storage capacity for a magnetic tape calculated? What are the differences in the access mechanism for magnetic tapes and magnetic disks?

f) Compare and contrast the following technologies
(i) Light Pen and Touch screen
(ii) Scanner and Optical Mark Reader
(iii) LCD monitor and LED display
(iv) Printers and Plotters

g) Explain the characteristics/functions of the following in the context of a computer system:
(i) Disk Defragmenter
(ii) The motherboard of a computer
(iii) Disk Checkers
(iv) Uses of “My Computer” and “My Documents” on a Windows Desktop

Q2. (Covers Block 2) (7×4=28)
a) Explain the Client/Server architecture with the help of a diagram. Explain how this architecture is similar to/ different from cloud computing.

b) Explain the differences between structured programming and non-structured programming with the help of example code. List and define the three important concepts of Object-oriented programming.

c) Define the basic functions of the following software:
(i) Compiler
(ii) Device Driver
(iii)Diagnostic Program
(iv) Anti-virus software

d) List the functions of the following in the context of Operating System
(i) Graphical User interface and its advantages
(ii) File management
(iii)Process
(iv) Batch Processing
(v) Time-sharing
(vi) Input/ Output Services

e) Draw a flow chart and write an algorithm for a program that adds all two-digit numbers divisible by 3. (Hint: These numbers are 12, 15 till 99. You must use looping).

f) Explain the meaning of each of the following lines in the context of programming:
(i) int I;
int remain, evenodd=31;
(ii) remain = even-odd % 2;
(iii) if (remain == 0)
(iv) print(“A Number is an EVEN number”);
(v) else print(“A Number is an ODD number”);

g) List which software or type of software will be required for the following situations. Give reasons in support of your answer.

(i) You have joined a new company that maintains your daily activity logs and time devoted by you on different projects which the company is doing. The company maintains these records for all the employees & projects.

(ii) You need to send your resume along with an application to 20 different companies; you have the name and address of HRD manager of all these companies stored in the file.

(iii)You need to record the transactions of a multinational company; the transaction may include purchases, sales, and financial transactions.

(iv) You have a very low budget for buying application software, though you have the manpower with good computer skills what kind of software will you use for the company and why?

Q3. (Covers Block 3) (6×4=24)
(a) What are the advantages of using Computer Networks? Explain the following terms in the context of computer networks:

(i) Circuit switching
(ii) Half Duplex transmission
(iii)Guided Channels
(iv) Infrared transmission.

(b) Explain the differences between the following, giving one application of each:
(i) Ring Topology, Bus topology, and star topology
(ii) LAN, MAN, and WAN

(c) Explain the characteristics of the following networking devices:
(i) Routers
(ii) Modem
(iii)Gateways
(iv) Switches

(d) Explain the layers of the TCP/IP Model. What is an IP address? Explain the role of the subnet mask with the help of an example. How does DNS translate a web address? Explain with the help of an example.

(e) Explain the functions of the browser and search engine in the context of the Internet. You want to find commercial banks which offer house loans and debit cards but do not provide online services; make efficient query or queries that will show the desired result as above.

(f) Explain the following in the context of the Internet and its applications:

(i) E-learning and Moodle
(ii) Electronic Educational Resources