State three reasons why an organisation may opt to develop its own software in-house rather than buy off-the-shelf software.

Source: KCSE Computer Studies 2013 - Paper 1
Question Number: 6,7,8,9,10

6. A retailer uses a spreadsheet program to calculate profits. Figure 1 shows the spreadsheet.

(a) Which row contains labels only? (1 mark)
(b) Write the formula that has been entered in cell F2. (2 marks)

From Topic: Spreadsheets
From Subtopic: Creating a worksheet, Cell data types
Question Level: Form 2

Expected Responses
​(a) Row 1 or 1 (I mark)
(b) = D2*E2: = product(D2,E2) OR = Product (D2: E2) (2 marks)

​7. State three reasons why an organisation may opt to develop its own software in-house rather than buy off-the-shelf software. (3 marks)

From Topic: Computer Systems
From Subtopic: Software Considerations
Question Level: Form 1

Expected Responses

1. Customised lo suit business needs of the organisation.
2. It can be upgraded as needed by the organisation.
3. The organisation can have a module that the competitors don’t have.
4. The organisation develops only the modules needed/memory optimization. or storage/space. (2 marks)

8. ​The topology below is formed by combining two types of topologies.

(a) Give one name for the combined topology in figure 2. (1 mark)
(b) Name the two topologies forming the combined topology in figure 2. (2 marks)

From Topic: Introduction to networking and data communication
From Subtopic: Types of network topologies
Question Level: Form 4

Expected Responses
​(a) Hybrid topology/tree/hierarchical (1 mark)
(b) Star and Bus topologies (line/linear) (2 marks)

​9 An organisation intends to replace an existing system by carrying out the process in stages.

(a) Name this implementation strategy. (1 mark)
(b) Give two reasons why the organisation is opting to use the implementation strategy in (a) above. (2 marks)

From Topic: System Development
From Subtopic: System Implementation
Question Level: Form 3

Expected Responses
​(a) The implementation strategy is:

• phased changeover/modular (1 mark)

(b) Reasons for partial approach.

• - It gives employees opportunity to learn
• - Organization can revert to old system in case of failure.
• - Reduces resistance by employees.

Any 2 @ I mark = (2 marks)

​10 (a) Explain the importance of disk partitioning. (2 marks)

From Topic: Operating System
From Subtopic: Disk management using an operating system
Question Level: Form 1

Expected Responses

1. Disk partitioning enhances logical management of files since files can be grouped into partitions based on their roles.
2. Enhances disk maintenance since partitions can be formatted, deleted or modified individually without affecting files stored in other partitions.
3. Partitioning helps in virus management. This is done by keeping system files in one partition with limited access rights. Viruses would therefore lack access to the system files.
4. Enables installation of more than one operation system. (2 marks)

(b) Differentiate between pull-down menu and pop-up menu as used in Graphical User interface (GUI) operating systems. (2 marks)

From Topic: Operating System
From Subtopic: Types of operating system (interface)
Question Level: Form 1

Expected Responses
​(b) Difference between pull-down and pop-up menus
A pull-down menu is a list of commands that appears as a list from the menu bar going down which is invoked by the click or alt key whereas a pop-up menu is a list that appears anywhere on the screen when there is a click.  (2 marks)

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