O Level Computer Science 2210 · Topic 4

Software: past paper questions

69 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Give, Describe, Identify, Explain, State

Real questions on software

The newest 20 of 69 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

2210/11 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[3]
Each computer has an operating system. One function of the operating system is to manage memory. Describe the role of the operating system in managing memory.
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2210/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[2]
The programmer uses a high-level language to write the program. One reason for writing the program using a high-level language is that it is easier to read and write. Give two other reasons why the programmer chose to use a high-level language.
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2210/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[5]
Complete the statements about translators. Use the terms from the list. Some of the terms will not be used. You should only use a term once. all together executable file partial code all assembler executing some binary interrupt translating error line by line whole code errors. An interpreter translates and executes th...
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2210/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[4]
Give two other functions commonly found in an IDE. State the role of each function. Function Role Function Role
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2210/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[4]
Requirement Validation check Date of birth must be between 01/01/1900 and 01/01/2010. length check (a) Draw one line from each requirement to the most appropriate validation check. Not all validation checks will be used. format check Name has been entered. range check Password has exactly 12 characters. check digit Stu...
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2210/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[3]
Identify and describe one verification check that could be applied when a new password is input into a system. Verification check Description
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2210/21 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(i)[1]
Identify one appropriate data type for the field Return
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2210/21 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(ii)[1]
State the reason for the data type chosen.
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2210/13 · October/November 2024 · Q7[4]
A computer programmer uses an integrated development environment (IDE) when creating a computer program. Explain the purpose of the IDE.
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2210/23 · October/November 2024 · Q1[1]
Tick (✓) one box to show which of the following is used to validate data on input. A checksum B double entry check C type check 1
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2210/23 · October/November 2024 · Q5[6]
One stage of the program development life cycle is the analysis stage. Identify and describe two other stages of the program development life cycle. Stage Description Stage Description
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2210/23 · October/November 2024 · Q7[9]
A programmer is testing a program that requires a positive value between 1 and 100 inclusive to be entered. The range check in the program is to be tested. Identify three different types of test data to be used. For each type of test data, give an example of the value(s) to be used and the expected outcome. Type Exampl...
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2210/11 · May/June 2024 · Q6c[2]
Give two examples of system software.
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2210/12 · May/June 2024 · Q4a[1]
Give one example of system software.
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2210/12 · May/June 2024 · Q4b[2]
Give two examples of application software.
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2210/12 · May/June 2024 · Q4c[2]
Describe the difference between system software and application software.
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2210/22 · May/June 2024 · Q5[6]
A high-level programming language makes use of arithmetic, Boolean and logical operators. State how each type of operator is used. Give an example statement, in pseudocode, for each one. Arithmetic Example Boolean Example Logical Example
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2210/12 · October/November 2023 · Q1c[1]
Identify the type of software that is used to find and remove malware from a computer.
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2210/13 · October/November 2023 · Q1d[3]
The mobile telephone has an operating system. Describe the purpose of the operating system.
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2210/13 · October/November 2023 · Q4c[1]
The employee wants to be able to quickly access websites that he regularly uses. Identify the function of a web browser that could be used for this purpose.
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What examiners said

Many candidates were able to give the correct type of software.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 2210/12 Q1(c) (Cambridge)

Few candidates were able to provide a detailed and accurate description of the purpose of an operating system. Most candidate gave functions of an operating system but gave little detail beyond this.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 2210/13 Q1(d) (Cambridge)

Most candidates were able to correctly complete the first two missing terms. Few candidates were able to correctly complete the second two missing terms. The most common incorrect answer given was bootloader.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 2210/11 Q4 (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise software

In the syllabus

4.1 Types of software and interrupts

Describe the difference between system •
System software provides the services that the
computer requires, including operating system
and utility software • Application software provides the services that the user requires
Describe the role and basic functions of an • Including:
– managing files – handling interrupts – providing an interface – managing peripherals and drivers – managing memory – managing multitasking – providing a platform for running applications – providing system security – managing user accounts
Understand how hardware, firmware and •
Applications are run on the operating system
• The operating system is run on the firmware
• The bootloader (firmware) is run on the hardware
Describe the role and operation of interrupts • Including: – how an interrupt is generated – how it is handled using an interrupt service routine – what happens as a result of the interrupts •
Software interrupts include division by zero and two processes trying to access the same memory location •

4.2 Types of programming language, translators and integrated development environments

Explain what is meant by a high-level language •
Advantages and disadvantages include:
– ease of reading and writing code,
e.g. low-level is hard to read – ease of debugging code – machine independence – direct manipulation of hardware
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a • Including an understanding that an interpreter is
mostly used when developing a program and a compiler is used to translate the final program
Explain the role of an IDE in writing program • Including:
– code editors – run-time environment – translators – error diagnostics – auto-completion – auto-correction – prettyprint

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