IBDP Computer Science A1.1 Computer hardware and operation SL Paper 1 - New Syllabus

IBDP Computer Science SL Paper 1 - All Chapters

Question 

An architect uses a single computer for her business. She uses hand-drawn sketches to present her ideas to clients and computer-aided design (CAD) software to create construction projects, alterations, and redevelopments.

(a) (i) State what is meant by CAD software. \( [1] \)
(ii) Outline two benefits for the architect of using CAD software. \( [4] \)

The architect often creates large graphic files that are sent via the internet.

(b) Explain the need for data compression software in storing and transferring these large graphic files. \( [3] \)

Data loss can cause downtime, which can force the architect to pause business operations.

The impact on productivity depends on the amount of data lost as well as the time it takes for data recovery.

(c) (i) Describe how the architect could minimize downtime if the disk system on her computer fails. \( [3] \)
(ii) Outline two causes of data loss other than hardware failure. \( [4] \)

Most-appropriate topic code (CED):

• TOPIC A1.1: Computer hardware and operation – all parts
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Detailed solution

(a)(i) CAD software is software used by designers to create 2D or 3D models of physical components or entities. It can be used to create, modify, analyse or enhance a design.

(a)(ii) Two benefits include:

• Increased productivity: CAD software automates many of the architect’s tasks, allowing projects to be completed more quickly.

• Flexibility to modify designs: Changes and revisions can easily be made to designs and visualized before approval.

Other accepted benefits include reduced effort, saving time, saving money, better-quality drawings, improved accuracy, fewer errors, easier sharing of work and integration with other tools.

(b) Data compression reduces the size of the large graphic files.

This means that less memory/storage space is required, allowing more CAD files to be stored.

It also reduces the amount of data that needs to be transferred, resulting in faster upload and download times and reduced bandwidth requirements.

Answer: Compression reduces file size, so less storage space is required and the files can be transferred more quickly.

(c)(i) The architect could make a regular backup of her data and store it on an external storage device. If the disk fails, the data can be recovered quickly from the backup, reducing downtime.

Alternatively, she could use a secondary/standby system with an appropriate backup system so that it can take over when the main system fails, with data restored to the latest backup point.

A failover system or RAID could also automatically take over after a hard-drive failure, reducing or preventing data loss and minimizing downtime.

Another solution is cloud storage, where files are backed up to the cloud and can be accessed from another device when the disk fails.

Answer: Regularly back up the architect’s files to external storage or cloud storage so that the data remains available and can be quickly restored if the disk fails.

(c)(ii) Two possible causes of data loss are:

• Human error: Data may be accidentally deleted, incorrectly entered, altered or replaced.

• Malware or hacking: Malicious software or attackers may steal, alter or destroy data.

Other accepted causes include transfer errors, software malfunction, natural disasters, power failures, a full disk and lossy compression.

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