Computer Science HSSC II Model Paper Solution
Computer Science HSSC II Model Paper Solution
MCQs
1. Which one of the following state transitions is valid?
Answer: C. Running to Ready
2. In which SDLC phase, the Project team must decide whether the project should go
ahead with available resources or not?
Answer: D. Planning phase
3. Which one of the following DOS commands is used to display the content of the
directory?
Answer: A. DIR
4. Identify the type of system conversion in which the old system is directly replaced by
the new system:
Answer: C. Direct
5. If a = 10; b = a++; what will be the value stored in b?
Answer: C. 10
6. Which one of the following statements transfers the control to the start of the loop
body?
Answer: B. Continue
7. If x = 5, which one of the following accesses the seventh element stored in an array
A?
Answer: A. A[x++]
Short Q/A
i. Why is memory management required?
Memory management is essential in any system to ensure the efficient utilization of memory
resources. It helps in allocating memory dynamically to processes when required and frees it
when it is no longer in use, thus avoiding memory leaks. Moreover, memory management
ensures that processes and applications have sufficient memory to execute their tasks without
conflicts or errors, leading to smoother and more efficient operations.
OR
Write down any three differences between process and thread.
A process is an independent entity that operates in its own memory space, whereas a thread is
2|Page
a lightweight sub-process that shares the memory space of its parent process. Processes are
more resource-intensive as they require separate memory allocation, while threads are more
efficient, requiring fewer resources. Additionally, switching between processes is slower
because each process maintains its own resources, while thread switching is faster due to
shared memory.
ii. Write down the reasons for the following invalid variable names:
The variable name 3a is invalid because variable names cannot begin with a number; they
must start with a letter or an underscore. The name S$ is invalid because special characters
like $ are not allowed in variable names, except for the underscore. Lastly, long is invalid
because it is a reserved keyword in programming languages like C++ and cannot be used as
an identifier.
OR
Differentiate between unary and binary operators with examples.
Unary operators operate on a single operand. For example, in the expression -x, the negative
sign is a unary operator that negates the value of x. In contrast, binary operators require two
operands. For example, in the expression x + y, the addition operator (+) acts on both x and y.
iii. Write down any three differences between text and binary files.
Text files are human-readable and store data in plain text format, while binary files store data
in a machine-readable format that is not easily understandable by humans. Text files
generally occupy more storage space compared to binary files, as binary encoding is more
compact. Furthermore, text files can be edited using simple text editors, whereas binary files
require specialized software to read and modify their contents.
OR
How is a Constructor different from a Destructor?
A constructor is a special function in object-oriented programming that is automatically
invoked when an object is created, allowing the object to initialize its variables. In contrast, a
destructor is invoked when the object is destroyed and is used to release resources such as
memory. Unlike constructors, which can be overloaded with different parameters, destructors
cannot be overloaded. Constructors are called at the beginning of an object's lifecycle, while
destructors are called at the end.
3|Page
x. What is the difference between array size and index? Illustrate with an example.
The array size refers to the total number of elements the array can hold, whereas the index is
the position of an individual element within the array. For example, in an array int arr[5] =
{10, 20, 30, 40, 50};, the size of the array is 5, while the indices range from 0 to 4. The
element arr[2] refers to the value at index 2, which is 30.
OR
Differentiate between string and array with an example of each.
A string is a sequence of characters terminated by a null character (\0), whereas an array is a
collection of elements of the same data type. For example, a string can be defined as char
str[] = "Hello"; while an array of integers can be defined as int arr[] = {1, 2, 3, 4};. A string is
essentially a specialized form of a character array.
Corrected code:
int a[10], i;
cout << "Enter ten numbers:\n";
for (i = 0; i < 10; i++)
cin >> a[i];
OR
Consider the array definition: float table[5][5];
a. The total number of elements in the array is calculated as rows × columns, i.e., 5 × 5 = 25.
b. To assign 36.5 to the first element, the statement would be:
table[0][0] = 36.5;
7|Page
xiv. Write a C++ program that reads the base and height of a triangle and displays its
area using the formula area = ½ × base × height.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
float base, height, area;
cout << "Enter the base of the triangle: ";
cin >> base;
cout << "Enter the height of the triangle: ";
cin >> height;
cout << "The area of the triangle is: " << area << endl;
return 0;
}
8|Page
Long Q/A
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int choice;
cout << "Geometry Calculator\n";
cout << "1. Display Area of a Circle\n";
cout << "2. Display Area of a Rectangle\n";
cout << "Enter your choice (1-2): ";
cin >> choice;
switch (choice) {
case 1: {
// Case for Circle
double radius, area;
cout << "Enter the radius of the circle: ";
cin >> radius;
if (radius < 0) {
cout << "Radius cannot be negative.\n";
} else {
area = 3.1416 * radius * radius; //as the value of PI is 3.1416
cout << "The area of the circle is: " << area << endl;
}
9|Page
break;
}
case 2: {
// Case for Rectangle
double length, width, area;
cout << "Enter the length of the rectangle: ";
cin >> length;
cout << "Enter the width of the rectangle: ";
cin >> width;
default:
cout << "Error: Invalid choice. Please enter a number between 1 and 2.\n";
break;
}
return 0;
}
Explanation:
a. Menu Display: The program displays a menu to the user and takes the choice as
input.
b. Switch Statement:
o Case 1: If the user selects 1, the program asks for the radius of the circle,
calculates its area using the formula πr2, and displays the result.
10 | P a g e
o Case 2: If the user selects 2, the program asks for the length and width of the
rectangle, calculates the area using the formula length × width, and displays
the result.
c. Default Case: If the user enters an invalid number, an error message is displayed.
d. Input Validation: Negative values for dimensions are handled with appropriate
messages.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int sum = 0; // Variable to store the sum
int i = 1; // Start with the first odd number
while (i <= 99) { // Loop until the last odd number (99)
sum += i * i; // Add the square of the current odd number to sum
i += 2; // Move to the next odd number
}
cout << "The sum of the series is: " << sum << endl; // Output the result
return 0;
}
Explanation:
1. Initialization: The variable sum is initialized to 0 to store the cumulative sum, and i is
set to 1, which is the first odd number in the series.
2. Condition: The while loop runs as long as i is less than or equal to 99.
3. Body of the Loop:
o The square of the current value of i is calculated (i * i) and added to the sum.
o The value of i is incremented by 2 to move to the next odd number.
4. Output: After the loop completes, the total sum of the series is printed.
11 | P a g e
Q.4 What is the importance of SDLC? Explain in detail the Feasibility and Testing
phases.
Importance of SDLC
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a systematic approach to software
development that ensures the delivery of high-quality software products within a structured
framework. It helps organizations effectively plan, design, build, test, and deploy software in
a timely and cost-effective manner. SDLC improves collaboration among stakeholders,
reduces risks, ensures that the software meets user requirements, and facilitates better
resource management. By adhering to SDLC, teams can identify and resolve potential
problems early in the development process, leading to a more robust and efficient end
product.
Feasibility Phase:
The feasibility phase is one of the most critical stages in SDLC as it determines whether the
proposed project is viable. It involves conducting a detailed analysis of the project's technical,
financial, and operational feasibility:
Technical Feasibility: Examines whether the organization has the technical expertise,
tools, and infrastructure to develop the software.
Financial Feasibility: Evaluates the cost of the project against the expected benefits
to ensure that it is economically viable.
Operational Feasibility: Assesses whether the software will be practical and
beneficial in the organization’s existing environment and whether it aligns with user
needs and organizational goals.
The outcome of this phase is a feasibility report, which serves as a foundation for decision-
making. If the project is deemed feasible, it moves on to the next stages of SDLC.
Testing Phase:
The testing phase is where the developed software undergoes rigorous evaluation to ensure it
meets all functional, performance, and security requirements. The key objectives of this
phase are to detect and fix bugs, validate the functionality, and ensure that the software
performs as expected under various conditions. Several types of testing are conducted,
including:
Unit Testing: Tests individual components or modules of the software to ensure they
function correctly.
12 | P a g e
OR
Explain the Batch processing and Real-Time operating systems with one example of
each.
Batch Processing and Real-Time Operating Systems
Batch Processing Operating System:
Batch processing is a method of executing a series of tasks (jobs) collectively without
requiring user interaction. These tasks are grouped into batches and processed sequentially,
which allows the system to efficiently manage resources and complete repetitive tasks. The
main advantage of batch processing is its ability to handle large volumes of data with
minimal manual intervention, making it ideal for business operations that require regular and
repeated processing.
Key Features:
o Jobs are submitted in bulk and processed one after another.
o Minimal user interaction during execution.
o Efficient for operations like payroll processing, bank statements generation, or
billing.
Example:
A payroll system processes employee salary data in batches at the end of each month.
The system collects input data (employee hours worked, tax rates, deductions, etc.),
processes it, and produces pay slips and financial summaries in one go.
A Real-Time Operating System is designed to process data and execute tasks within a strict
time frame. RTOS ensures that high-priority tasks are completed without delay, making it
suitable for time-critical applications. These systems are commonly used in environments
where quick response and precision are essential, such as medical devices, automotive
systems, and industrial control systems.
Types of RTOS:
o Hard Real-Time Systems: Tasks must be completed within a guaranteed time
frame. Failure to meet deadlines can lead to catastrophic results (e.g.,
pacemakers, airbag systems).
o Soft Real-Time Systems: Missing deadlines may not lead to system failure
but can degrade performance (e.g., video streaming systems).
Example:
An air traffic control system is a perfect example of RTOS. It processes real-time data
from aircraft to ensure safe navigation and landing. A delay in processing could lead
to severe consequences, making timely responses critical.