Cambridge University Press 2011

Generic application
software
1
Answers to Revision questions: 1 Generic application software 1 Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies
Below each answer there is a page reference for the coursebook. Tis is there to help you focus
your revision. If you fnd that you get an answer wrong, you can use this guide to return to the
coursebook to revise the areas that need some extra attention. Please note these are example
answers only and do not represent the only possible answers.
1 When you export a data fle, you save the data to a format that can be read by another type of
program. When you import a data fle, you read a fle that was created by a diferent program.
For example, you can import a spreadsheet fle into a database program.
See Importing and exporting data fles on page 4.
2 Bespoke sofware is sofware specifcally written for a customer. It should exactly match
the needs of the customer and therefore operate more ef ciently for the customers specifc
requirements than generic sofware. It is likely to be more expensive to develop and not as
extensively tested.
See Bespoke sofware on page 25.
3 Te contents of the Task column have been moved to match the application sofware.

Task Application software
h writing a letter i word processor
g producing a club newsletter ii desktop publisher
d recording a DVD collection iii spreadsheet
l managing a schools records iv database
e writing to a friend in India v email client
b creating a web page vi web authoring sofware
f keeping up with the news vii web browser
a fnding information for a report viii search engine
j removing red-eye from a photo ix graphics editor
i designing a new kitchen x CAD sofware
c creating a science display xi presentation sofware
k capturing weather data xii data-logging sofware
See Chapter 1 Generic application sofware.
4 Data-logging sofware automatically collects data from sensors, usually at regular time intervals.
Te data can then be analysed or used to control applications.
See Data-logging on page 21.
Cambridge University Press 2011 Answers to Revision questions: 1 Generic application software 2 Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies
5 A graphical user interface enables the user to use windows, icons, menus and a pointing device
to control sofware.
See Graphical user interface on page 4.
6 A spreadsheet is an application that organises data in rows and columns and enables the user to
apply formulae to the data. I have used a spreadsheet to model the fnancial transactions for a
club I enter the money received and spent and the spreadsheet sofware automatically updates
the balance.
See Spreadsheets on page 7.
7 a CAD can be used in architecture and in product design.
b I would expect a CAD program to be able to create 3-D drawings using vector graphics, to
rotate or walk through drawings and to calculate areas and volumes of designs.
See CAD/CAM programs on page 17.
8 a Te IT department could buy a scanner to enable the magazine production team to scan
photos and other items that exist only in hard copy. Tey could also buy a digital camera for
the creation of new images.
b An online dictionary is used to check that the words used in the magazine exist (i.e. to check
spelling). An online thesaurus is used to ofer alternative words that mean the same.
c Te DTP package could be used to produce a poster using the facilities to import images,
fow text around images, format text and rotate text and images.
See Word processing and desktop publishing programs on page 4.