UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

ACCRA CITY CAMPUS.

(All rights, reserved)

DIPLOMA IN ACCOUNTING / D I P L O M A I N PUBIC ADMINISTRATION

S E M E S T E R EXAMINATIONS: 2007/2008

ADMN008: DATA PROCESSING (3 CREDITS)

INSTRUCTIONS Answer four (4) questions

TIME ALLOWED 2 hours

1. What is computer software? Write a short note on Microsoft word.

Answer:

Computer software also known as a program is a sequence or series of instructions written to

perform a specified task for a computer to execute. Without the software the computer
(hardware) is a lamp of metallic object.

Microsoft Office Word is a product Microsoft corporation and comes with the Microsoft office
package. Microsoft word is other word processing application software. You can use MS word to
type letters, reports, and other documents. It was first released in 1983 under the name multi tools word
for xenix system.

After it first released, Microsoft Corporation has release several office word versions, such as:

Office Word 95

Office Word 2000

Office Word 2003

Office Word 2007

And currently we have the office Word 2010

From office word 95 all the way to office word 2003, Microsoft maintained the file extension .doc until
office word 2007 and 2010 where the file extension of office word changed to .docx
2. What are the functions of operating system software? Identify three different types of

operating system software

Answers:

Functions
The OS establishes a standard means of communication between users and their computer
systems. It does this by providing a user interface and a standard set of commands that help
users of a computer to control it hardware and application.

• Job Management: This is where the operating system software controls the time and
order in which programs are to be executed.

• Data Management

• Device Management

The operating system helps us to have absolute control over input, out and storage
devices which is attached to our computer.

• Security

The operating system software provides security upon the users’ request, where by
the user of a computer can place a password on it to prevent unauthorised users from
accessing their computer.

Types of Operating System

Microsoft Windows which is another product of Microsoft Corporation eg. Windows 2000,

windows xp, windows vista, windows 7

Linux which was an open source software started by Linus Torvalds. eg. Red hat linux,

Ubuntu, and so on

Apple Macintosh from the apple Incorporate eg. Lion, Cheetah Puma, Leopard, Snow

Leopard and so on.

 3. Identify and explain the main components of a computer system.

Answers

The main components of a computer are the Hardware and the Software.

Hardware: these all the components that are attached to the computer that can be touch and
seen, they are all the physical parts of a computer. e.g. Key board, Mouse, Central processing
Unit, and so on

Software: these are the programs that run on our computer, unlike the hardware, the software
can neither be touched nor be seen

4. Describe two applications in which Optical Mark Reading (OMR) is used.

Answers

Data compilation: in conducting population census which comes with huge data collection,

5. Discuss five (5) factors to consider in choosing a printer?

Quality of Printing required:

Speed of the Printers output:

Support:

Cost of Supplies:

Duration of usage: When the printer is supposed to use for a short duration, then the

organization need to consider renting the printer or outsourcing the print job.

6. (a) Differentiate between the terms Internet and Intranet.

Internet: the internet is a collection of information systems link together by a network,

purposefully for the sharing of information.

Intranet:
 (b) Describe four (4) major benefits of the INTERNET

Cheap

Fast

Secured

7. Explain and give two actual examples of each of the following:

a. Input device

These are peripheral connected to computers which enables the user of the computer to

sent data or information into the computer. Eg. Keyboard, Mouse

b. output device

These are also computer peripherals which are connected to the computer purposely for

the presentation of the information or data within the computer. E.g. Monitor, Projector

c. Storage device: these are permanent storage media on which data or information are

stored for future usage. E.g. Hard drive, Flash/Pen drive