Computer Science Paper II Past Paper 2024
The Computer Science Paper II Past Paper 2024 spans architecture, networks and images. Q.2 covers multiprocessors, architectural levels and CPI arithmetic. Q.3 covers cache memory, parallelism and the instruction cycle. Q.4 covers OSI against TCP/IP, overlays and IP addressing. Q.5 covers UNIX against Windows file systems, OS mediation and process management. Q.6 covers database evolution, complex SQL and distributed databases. Q.7 covers image detection, morphology and sensing. Q.8 closes with JavaScript patterns, data architectures and REST against GraphQL. The file on this page holds both parts of the paper, the MCQ sheet and the Part-II sheet.
What this paper contains
- This file carries both parts of the paper: the Part-I MCQ sheet and the Part-II sheet.
- Part-I (Q.1) — 20 MCQs on the OMR Answer Sheet (20 marks)
- Part-II — attempt ONLY FOUR questions, TWO from EACH of two sections; each question carries 20 marks
Part-II questions
SECTION-A
Q.2 — (a) Why are multi-processor systems considered advantageous in computer architecture? How does parallel processing fundamentally improve the performance and scalability of a computer system? (7)
(b) How does the choice of architectural level impact the performance of a computer system? Provide a numerical comparison between two different architectural levels, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. (7)
(c) If a processor executes 1 billion instructions per second and has an instruction execution cycle of 4 cycles per instruction. Calculate the overall execution time for a program with 1 million instructions. Discuss how reducing the number of cycles per instruction can impact performance. (6) (20)
Q.3 — (a) Why cache memory is considered a critical component in a computer system? How does the internal and external data representation contribute to optimizing memory usage and system efficiency? (7)
(b) Explain the concept of parallelism in computer architecture. How does the internal structure of a microprocessor contribute to parallel processing capabilities? (7)
(c) Break down the stages of the instruction execution cycle in a computer system. How do the characteristics of CISC and RISC architectures influence the execution cycle? (6) (20)
Q.4 — (a) Compare the OSI and TCP/IP models in terms of their simplicity and practicality. Why is a layered approach beneficial in network design? (7)
(b) Explain how overlay networks and content distribution networks enhance the performance and scalability of internet services? Provide a numerical example to illustrate their impact on content delivery. (7)
(c) If the internet were a city, and each device had its own unique street address, how does IP addressing work in this scenario? Explain the purpose of subnetting using a neighborhood analogy. (6) (20)
Q.5 — (a) Compare the file systems of UNIX and Windows in terms of structure, permissions, and file organization. How do these file systems cater to the needs of diverse computing environments? (7)
(b) How does an operating system mediate between application programs and the computer hardware? Discuss the key roles and responsibilities of an operating system in managing resources. (7)
(c) What is process management in the context of operating systems? How does the operating system handle processes, and what role does it play in multitasking? (6) (20)
SECTION-B
Q.6 — (a) Elaborate on the evolution of database systems, highlighting major milestones. Discuss the impact of emerging technologies on the field of database systems. (7)
(b) Write a SQL query involving multiple tables and incorporating JOIN operations. Discuss the potential pitfalls and optimizations related to complex SQL queries. (7)
(c) What are distributed databases, and why are they used? Discuss the advantages and challenges of managing data in a distributed environment. (6) (20)
Q.7 — (a) Explain the algorithms used for point detection, line detection, edge detection, and boundary detection in digital images. Discuss the strengths and limitations of these techniques. (7)
(b) Provide detailed explanations and applications of morphological operators like erosion, dilation, opening, closing, skeletonization, and thinning in image processing. (7)
(c) Compare and contrast various image sensing and acquisition techniques. Discuss the advantages and limitations of different methods such as CCD and CMOS. (6) (20)
Q.8 — (a) Develop a numerical comparison between client-side functionalities implemented using different JavaScript patterns. Discuss how these patterns impact code maintainability and performance? (7)
(b) Discuss data aspect architectures in web development. How do these architectures address challenges related to data storage, retrieval, and management? (7)
(c) Create a numerical comparison of the efficiency of data exchange using different APIs, such as REST and GraphQL. Discuss the considerations in choosing the appropriate API for a given scenario. (6) (20)
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