CHINHOYI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING

COURSE : INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

CODE : CUIT112

STUDENT NAME : MATURURE REWARD TAKUDZWA

REG NUMBER : C14123247M

LEVEL : 1.1

PROGRAMME : BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS
DEGREE IN ACCOUNTANCY (BSCAC)
LECTURER :





ASSIGNMENT
1 a) Define the term ICT. [4]
b) Describe briefly how ICTs can be used to bring value to your industry? [4]
c) Expand the following acronyms giving example of where they are used : (i) B2B [2]
(ii) B2C [2]
(iii) B2G [2]
2 a) Describe two of off-the-shelf software. [4]
b) Distinguish a graphical user interface from a command line interface of an
operating system. [4]
c) Give two functions of an operating system. [4]

3. Compare and contrast the characteristics of the third and fourth generations of
computers. [10]

4. Describe the following computer devices : a) Re-usable optical disk
b) Keyboard
c) Bar-code reader
d) Magnetic disk
e) CPU. [10]




1 a) Define the term ICT. [2]
ICT is an abbreviation for Information and Communication Technology. It is defined as the
use of information in order to meet human need or purpose including reference to the use of
contemporary devices such as the internet.

1 b) Describe briefly how ICTs can be to bring value to your industry? [4]
-Accuracy. Computers perform calculations without errors. Both simple and extremely
complex calculations are calculated easily and in great accuracy. Even so, great care should
be observed to input the right information otherwise the calculations obtained might be
wrong.
-Speed of processing information. Apart being accurate computers provides huge speed
with which we can get accounting done. It has the ability to process huge volumes of data
very rapidly. With some few clicks one can obtain reports such as the Balance Sheet, Trial
Balance and other accounting reports, in different formats.
-Security. Information in computers is considered safe because access to the information can
be restricted by using passwords. Furthermore in other accounting software which allows
multi users, it can be traced which user performed any transaction. This reduces risk of fraud.
However when using a computer, it is possible to lose data because of hardware and software
damage. Hence backup options are a need.
-Provides a means of communication. Information and communication technology have
provided a vast array of new communication capabilities. Accountants however can
communicate with others across the world or country as if they are in the same office.
Important information is being sent and received reliably reaching destinations in very rapid
speeds.
-Performance of reconciliations. Accounting software allows reconciliations to be
performed automatically and rapidly. This include reconciliation of the cash book to the bank
balance.

1 c) Expand the following acronyms giving examples of where they are used ;
[i] B2B. [2]
B2B stands for Business to Business. Example is when a retailer buys goods online from the
wholesaler (Econet purchasing Samsung cell phones online).
[ii] B2C. [2]
B2C means Business to Consumer. Example is of an Supermarket and a customer where the
customer receives a printed receipt from the till operator and a customer buying a product
online.
[iii] B2G. [2]
B2G is the abbreviation of Business to Government. Example Clothing outlet paying
customers duties and taxes to the Government.

2 a) Describe two strengths of off-the-shelf software. [4]
-availability of software
-it has already been tested, hence there is less risk to bugs.
2 b) Distinguish a graphical user interface from a command line interface of an
Operating System. [4]
Graphical user interface Command line interface
-although users have plenty of control of
their file system and operating system, the
more advanced tasks may still need a
command line.
-users have much more control of their file
system and operating system.
-most users pick up this interface as much
easier compared to Command Line Interface.
-because of memorisation and familiarity
needed to operate, new users have a difficulty
time operating
-requires more systems resources. -takes a lot less of the computer systems
resources.

2 c) Give two functions of an Operating System. [2]
-file management.
-data and storage management
-security(including identification, authorization and audit).
-Manage the computer resources. For example;Central Processing Unit, Memory, Disk
Drivers and Printers.
-Control output devices. Such as;Video display and Printers.
-It is the one which boots the computer.

3. Compare and contrast the characteristics of the third and fourth generations of
computers. [10]
-Transfer rate. Third generation computer could transfer data up to 2 megabits per second.
Fourth generation computers improved on speed, with the ability to transfer data at up to 100
megabits per second.
-Wireless capability. Both 3G and 4G (third Generation and 4 Generation) have true
wireless capabilities. 3G computers have the ability to use and receive these wireless signals
and thus you can make a call over a 3G computer. 4G computers and their networks take this
further, adding power to the amount of data that can be transferred.
-3G computers are larger than 4G. 4G computers are smaller since they have smaller chips
and are referred to as micro-computers. 3G computers are larger for example TDC332 and
IBM370.
-3G and 4G computers contain different chips. 4G computers carried a small chip
developed by Ted Heof in 1971. The chip is called micro-processor. 3G computers had a
larger chip called the integrated circuit.
-4G of computers cost relevantly less than the 3G. 3G were built with a good amount of
memory and were used mainly for business. 4G of computer had less memory and were the
first to be used as personal computers. However the cost of 4G computers was lessor than of
3G computers.
-Switching. Switching is a term used to describe computer operations that take place during
transfer of data. 3G computers use both packet switching (which is manipulation of data
only)as well as circuit switching. 4G computers abandoned circuit switching entirely, relying
on packet switching for necessary operations.
-After comparisons 3G and 4G computers and technology have a number of similar
characteristics.3G is slowly progressing into the fourth generation with many technologies
that were cutting edges in late 1990s being replaced by their newer.

4. Describe the following computer devices:
a) Re-usable Optical Disk.
-An electronic storage medium that one can write and read on from using low powered laser
example CDs.
b) Keyboard.
Typewriter style device used to input characters into a computer. It lets the user enter data in
the computer hence it is an input device. By pressing the buttons on the keyboard the user
input the character on the computer. For example one presses the button p on the keyboard,
also on the screen the letter p will appear on the screen if using Microsoft word.
c) Bar code reader.
This is an electronic device used to read information contained in bar code. When the item
with the bar code is flashed on the bar code reader, all information about the item or the
person is automatically seen and observed on the monitor. Usually used in supermarkets and
libraries.
d) Magnetic disk.
It is used to store digital information. It is a storage device since it stores information.
e) CPU.
-CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. Is the processor where logical and arithmetic
operations are executed and performed.