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Theory, Programming Exercises, Past Paper Questions and Answers, Assignments with Answers Practical Videos Learn ICT By Examples
In ICT, memory isn't just one component; it is a complex system designed to balance speed, cost, and capacity.
1. The Memory Hierarchy
The Memory Hierarchy is a structured arrangement of storage elements. It is designed to bridge the gap between high-speed processors and slower, high-capacity storage.
Need for Hierarchy: CPUs operate at extremely high speeds. A hierarchy ensures that the most frequently used data is closest to the CPU to avoid idle time.
Comparison Criteria:
Physical Size/Density: Smaller components like Registers have lower density compared to mass storage.
Access Time: Registers have the lowest delay (nanoseconds), while secondary storage is the slowest.
Capacity: Increases as you move down the hierarchy (Registers < Cache < RAM < HDD).
Cost: Price per bit decreases as you move down the hierarchy.
2. Volatile Memory: Fast and Temporary
Volatile memory requires power to maintain stored information. Once power is cut, data is lost.
Registers: Located inside the CPU for immediate instructions.
Cache Memory: High-speed buffer between CPU and RAM (L1, L2, and L3 levels).
Main Memory (RAM): The primary workspace. Includes SRAM (fast/expensive), DRAM (needs refreshing), and SDRAM (synchronized).
3. Non-Volatile Memory: Permanent Storage
Non-volatile memory retains data even when the power is turned off.
Read-Only Memory (ROM): Used for firmware like the BIOS.
PROM: Programmable once.
EPROM: Erasable via UV light.
EEPROM: Electrically erasable and rewritable.
Feature
Volatile Memory
Non-Volatile Memory
Data Retention
Temporary; lost when power is off.
Permanent; retained without power.
Speed
Extremely Fast.
Slower than volatile memory.
Cost
Higher cost per unit of storage.
Lower cost per unit of storage.
Capacity
Typically smaller (GBs).
Typically much larger (TBs).
Examples
RAM, Cache, Registers.
ROM, HDD, SSD, Flash Drives.
Primary Use
Current tasks and active data.
Long-term file and OS storage.
4. Secondary Storage: The Mass Repositories
Secondary storage provides long-term, high-capacity storage for files and software.
Magnetic Memory: Uses magnetic fields (e.g., HDD). Affordable for high capacity.
Optical Memory: Uses lasers to read/write (e.g., CD, DVD, Blu-ray).
Flash Memory: Electronic circuits with no moving parts (e.g., SSDs, USB drives).
💻 Von Neumann Architecture – Complete Student Guide
Learn the core working of computers: CPU, Memory, Fetch Cycle & More in a simple and smart way.
The Von Neumann Architecture is the basic design used in most computers today. It introduced a powerful idea: store both data and instructions in the same memory.
This design allows computers to run different programs without changing hardware, making them flexible and efficient.
📌 1. Stored Program Concept
Instructions and data are stored together in memory
The CPU reads instructions one by one
Programs can be easily updated
🔍 Why It Matters:
✔ Enables software development
✔ Makes computers general-purpose
✔ Supports automation
👉 One computer can run games, apps, and browsers because of this concept.
🧩 2. Main Components
🔹 Input Unit
Accepts user data
Converts to binary
Examples: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner
🔹 Output Unit
Displays results
Converts to human-readable form
Examples: Monitor, Printer, Speakers
🔹 Memory Unit
Stores data and instructions
RAM – Temporary, fast
HDD/SSD – Permanent storage
Supplies data and instructions to CPU when needed
🔹 Processor (CPU)
Control Unit (CU) – Controls operations
ALU – Performs calculations
👉 CU decides what to do, ALU performs the action
🔄 3. Fetch–Execute Cycle
Fetch: CPU retrieves instruction (PC stores address)
Decode: Instruction is understood
Execute: Task is performed
🔁 Happens billions of times per second
👉 This process powers every application you use
🧠 4. CPU – In Depth
🔹 ALU
Performs calculations
Handles logical decisions
🔹 Control Unit
Manages all operations
Sends control signals
🔹 Registers
Very fast memory inside CPU
PC – next instruction
IR – current instruction
🔹 Buses
Data Bus – transfers data
Address Bus – carries location
Control Bus – sends signals
👉 Without buses, components cannot communicate
🔹 Multi-Core Processors
Multiple cores run tasks simultaneously
Improves speed and multitasking
👉 More cores = better performance
⚠️ Limitation
Von Neumann Bottleneck
Single path for data and instructions
Causes slower processing
👉 Modern systems reduce this using advanced techniques
📝 Section A: MCQs
1. What is the main idea of the Von Neumann Architecture?
A) Separate memory for data and instructions
B) Store data and instructions in the same memory
C) Use multiple processors
D) No memory usage
Answer: B
2. Which component performs calculations?
A) Control Unit
B) Memory Unit
C) ALU
D) Input Unit
Answer: C
3. Which unit controls the operations of the computer?
A) ALU
B) Control Unit
C) Output Unit
D) Register
Answer: B
4. What does the Fetch stage do?
A) Executes instruction
B) Stores data
C) Retrieves instruction from memory
D) Displays output
Answer: C
5. Which of the following is NOT a CPU component?
A) ALU
B) Control Unit
C) Register
D) Printer
Answer: D
6. Which bus carries data?
A) Control Bus
B) Address Bus
C) Data Bus
D) Memory Bus
Answer: C
7. What is the function of the Program Counter (PC)?
A) Stores results
B) Holds next instruction address
C) Performs calculations
D) Controls output
Answer: B
8. Which stage follows Decode in the cycle?
A) Fetch
B) Store
C) Execute
D) Input
Answer: C
9. What is a register?
A) External storage
B) Slow memory
C) High-speed internal memory
D) Input device
Answer: C
10. What is the Von Neumann Bottleneck?
A) Slow input devices
B) Limited memory
C) Single path for data and instructions
D) Low power supply
Answer: C
✏️ Section B: Short Answers
1. Define Von Neumann Architecture. ✅ A computer design where data and instructions are stored in the same memory and processed by the CPU.
2. What is the stored program concept? ✅ It means instructions and data are stored together in memory and executed by the CPU.
3. Name two main components of the CPU. ✅ ALU and Control Unit
4. What is the function of the ALU? ✅ Performs arithmetic and logical operations.
5. What does the Control Unit do? ✅ Controls and coordinates all operations of the computer.
6. What is the Fetch-Execute Cycle? ✅ The process where the CPU fetches, decodes, and executes instructions.
7. What is a data bus? ✅ A pathway that carries data between components.
8. What is a register? ✅ A small, fast memory inside the CPU used to store temporary data.
In the 21st century, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is not just a subject; it is a fundamental driver of global progress. From how we farm to how we enforce laws, ICT is everywhere.
1. ICT Applications Across Sectors
EducationUse of LMS and Interactive Whiteboards. E.g., Zoom, Google Classroom.
HealthcareTelemedicine and EHR systems.
AgricultureIoT-based smart farming systems.
Business & FinanceE-commerce and online banking.
EngineeringCAD tools like AutoCAD.
TourismOnline booking and GPS navigation.
Media & JournalismDigital news & social platforms.
Problem 1
Write an algorithm to read two numbers and print their sum.
Algorithm (Pseudocode>
Start
Read A, B
SUM ← A + B
Print SUM
Stop
Pascal Program
program SumOfTwoNumbers;
var
A, B, SUM: integer;
begin
writeln('Enter value of A: ');
readln(A);
writeln('Enter value of B: ');
readln(B);
SUM := A + B;
writeln('Sum = ', SUM);
end.
Python Program
# Read two numbers
A = int(input("Enter value of A: "))
B = int(input("Enter value of B: "))
# Calculate sum
SUM = A + B
# Print result
print("Sum =", SUM)
Problem 2
Write an algorithm to find the larger of two numbers.
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read A, B
If A > B
Print A
Else
Print B
Stop
Pascal Program
program FindGreaterNumber;
var
A, B : integer;
begin
readln(A, B);
if A > B then
writeln(A)
else
writeln(B);
end.
Python Program
A = int(input())
B = int(input())
if A > B:
print(A)
else:
print(B)
Problem 3
Write an algorithm to check whether a number is even or odd
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read N
If N mod 2 = 0
Print "Even"
Else
Print "Odd"
Stop
Pascal Program
program EvenOdd;
var
N: integer;
begin
writeln('Enter a number: ');
readln(N);
if N mod 2 = 0 then
writeln('Even')
else
writeln('Odd');
end.
Python Program
N = int(input("Enter a number: "))
if N % 2 == 0:
print("Even")
else:
print("Odd")
Problem 4
Write an algorithm to calculate simple interest.
Formula:
SI = (P × R × T) / 100
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read P, R, T
SI ← (P × R × T) / 100
Print SI
Stop
Pascal Program
program SimpleInterest;
var
P, R, T, SI: real;
begin
writeln('Enter Principal (P): ');
readln(P);
writeln('Enter Rate (R): ');
readln(R);
writeln('Enter Time (T): ');
readln(T);
SI := (P * R * T) / 100;
writeln('Simple Interest = ', SI:8:2);
end.
Python Program
P = float(input("Enter Principal (P): "))
R = float(input("Enter Rate (R): "))
T = float(input("Enter Time (T): "))
SI = (P * R * T) / 100
print("Simple Interest =", SI)
Problem 5
Write an algorithm to reverse a number.
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read N
REV ← 0
While N > 0
DIGIT ← N mod 10
REV ← REV × 10 + DIGIT
N ← N / 10
EndWhile
Print REV
Stop
Pascal Program
program ReverseNumber;
var
N, REV, DIGIT: integer;
begin
writeln('Enter a number: ');
readln(N);
REV := 0;
while N > 0 do
begin
DIGIT := N mod 10;
REV := REV * 10 + DIGIT;
N := N div 10;
end;
writeln('Reversed Number = ', REV);
end.
Python Program
N = int(input("Enter a number: "))
REV = 0
while N > 0:
DIGIT = N % 10
REV = REV * 10 + DIGIT
N = N // 10
print("Reversed Number =", REV)
Problem 6
Write an algorithm to check whether a number is a palindrome.
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read N
TEMP ← N
REV ← 0
While TEMP > 0
DIGIT ← TEMP mod 10
REV ← REV × 10 + DIGIT
TEMP ← TEMP / 10
Endwhile
If REV = N
Print "Palindrome"
Else
Print "Not Palindrome"
Stop
Pascal Program
program PalindromeNumber;
var
N, TEMP, REV, DIGIT: integer;
begin
writeln('Enter a number: ');
readln(N);
TEMP := N;
REV := 0;
while TEMP > 0 do
begin
DIGIT := TEMP mod 10;
REV := REV * 10 + DIGIT;
TEMP := TEMP div 10;
end;
if REV = N then
writeln('Palindrome')
else
writeln('Not Palindrome');
end.
Python Program
N = int(input("Enter a number: "))
TEMP = N
REV = 0
while TEMP > 0:
DIGIT = TEMP % 10
REV = REV * 10 + DIGIT
TEMP = TEMP // 10
if REV == N:
print("Palindrome")
else:
print("Not Palindrome")
Problem 7
Write an algorithm to find the sum of digits of a number.
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read N
SUM ← 0
While N > 0
DIGIT ← N mod 10
SUM ← SUM + DIGIT
N ← N / 10
EndWhile
Print SUM
Stop
Pascal Program
program SumOfDigits;
var
N, SUM, DIGIT: integer;
begin
writeln('Enter a number: ');
readln(N);
SUM := 0;
while N > 0 do
begin
DIGIT := N mod 10;
SUM := SUM + DIGIT;
N := N div 10;
end;
writeln('Sum of Digits = ', SUM);
end.
Python Program
N = int(input("Enter a number: "))
SUM = 0
while N > 0:
DIGIT = N % 10
SUM = SUM + DIGIT
N = N // 10
print("Sum of Digits =", SUM)
Problem 8
Write an algorithm to count the number of digits in a number.
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read N
COUNT ← 0
While N > 0
COUNT ← COUNT + 1
N ← N / 10
Endwhile
Print COUNT
Stop
Pascal Program
program CountDigits;
var
N, COUNT: integer;
begin
writeln('Enter a number: ');
readln(N);
COUNT := 0;
while N > 0 do
begin
COUNT := COUNT + 1;
N := N div 10;
end;
writeln('Number of digits = ', COUNT);
end.
Python Program
N = int(input("Enter a number: "))
COUNT = 0
while N > 0:
COUNT = COUNT + 1
N = N // 10
print("Number of digits =", COUNT)
Problem 9
Write an algorithm to check whether a year is a leap year.
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read YEAR
If (YEAR mod 400 = 0)
Print "Leap Year"
Else if (YEAR mod 100 = 0)
Print "Not Leap Year"
Else if (YEAR mod 4 = 0)
Print "Leap Year"
Else
Print "Not Leap Year"
Stop
Pascal Program
program LeapYear;
var
YEAR: integer;
begin
writeln('Enter the year: ');
readln(YEAR);
if (YEAR mod 400 = 0) then
writeln('Leap Year')
else if (YEAR mod 100 = 0) then
writeln('Not Leap Year')
else if (YEAR mod 4 = 0) then
writeln('Leap Year')
else
writeln('Not Leap Year');
end.
Python Program
YEAR = int(input("Enter the year: "))
if YEAR % 400 == 0:
print("Leap Year")
elif YEAR % 100 == 0:
print("Not Leap Year")
elif YEAR % 4 == 0:
print("Leap Year")
else:
print("Not Leap Year")
Problem 10
Write an algorithm to search an element in a list.
Algorithm Pseudocode
Start
Read N
Read array A
Read key
For i ← 1 to N
If A[i] = key
Print "Found"
Stop
EndFor
Print "Not Found"
Stop
Pascal Program
program LinearSearch;
var
A: array[1..100] of integer;
N, i, key: integer;
found: boolean;
begin
writeln('Enter number of elements: ');
readln(N);
writeln('Enter array elements: ');
for i := 1 to N do
readln(A[i]);
writeln('Enter key to search: ');
readln(key);
found := false;
for i := 1 to N do
begin
if A[i] = key then
begin
writeln('Found');
found := true;
break;
end;
end;
if not found then
writeln('Not Found');
end.
Python Program
N = int(input("Enter number of elements: "))
A = []
print("Enter array elements:")
for i in range(N):
A.append(int(input()))
key = int(input("Enter key to search: "))
found = False
for i in range(N):
if A[i] == key:
print("Found")
found = True
break
if not found:
print("Not Found")
Python function which accept number as input and return it in words
Exercises for Python| User defined function in Python| Function accept number return in words| Exercises for Python List, String, functions and operators
ICT A/L
#function defined to accept two digit number as parameter and print the number in words
#function defined to accept three digit number as parameter and print the number in words using the digit1n2rword
def digit3word(num):
if num < 100:
return digit1n2rword(num)
hundreds = num // 100
remainder = num % 100
if remainder == 0:
return digit1n2rword(hundreds) + " Hundred"
else:
return digit1n2rword(hundreds) + " Hundred " + digit1n2rword(remainder)
#function defined to accept any digit number as parameter and print the number in words using the function digit3word
def anyDigitWord(num):
if num == 0:
print("Zero")
return
place_values = ["", "Thousand", "Million", "Billion", "Trillion"]
words = []
i = 0
while num > 0:
part = num % 1000
if part != 0:
text = digit3word(part)
if place_values[i]:
text += " " + place_values[i]
words.insert(0, text)
num //= 1000
i += 1
print(" ".join(words))
Main Program which call the anyDigitWord function with given numbers
Match each of the given phrases relating to commerce with the most suitable item from the list below:
List = {advertising as a revenue model, credit-cards, Government e-Tendering services, Government to Citizen (G2C) service, group purchasing, harmful explosives, online market, payment gateway, perishable goods, social commerce, subscription as a revenue model, traditional marketplace}
Phrase
List Item
A place where buyers and sellers interact physically for exchange goods and services for a place.
These are usually prohibited to be sold or purchased through e-commerce systems
Users pay a regular fee to have full access to a website of a business
A subset of e-commerce that involves using social media to assist in the online buying and selling of products and services
Facilitates a payment transaction by the transfer of information between the e-commerce application and the back-end financial services providers through secure means
The renewal of vehicle revenue license using the Online Vehicle Revenue License Service offered by the relevant government office.
Question 2
In an emergency health problem where people have to stay at home for long period, the shops within the area remain closed for regular business activities. Under such circumstances the shops within a village or nearby town can help their community by practicing their business through e-commerce.
Consider the above scenario, fill the blanks in the following statements with suitable phrases from the given list.
List ={ advertising banners, an online marketplace, a shopping cart, a web product catalogue, cash-on-delivery, credit-cards, discount pricing, group purchasing, payment gateway, click and brick, pure clicks, subscription as a revenue model}
Phrase
List Item
In this emergency situation, shops follow the …………………….business model.
Shops must use ……………………… to allow customers to purchase more than one type of product in a single transactions.
The e-commerce site for cash shop can implement ………………….to display their products to the customers.
For business owners who cannot use payment gateway through online fund receipts and for the customers who do not have any online mode of payment can still be supported through ……………………..
------------------is one of the best ways to reduce the overhead costs of delivery within a local area such as a lane, street or housing scheme
The local shop owners can establish ………………….to serve their community better by enabling access to each shop’s services through a common portal.
Question 3
Fill the blanks in the following statements with suitable words from the given list of words.
List ={ Encryption, Copyright, Phishing, Plagiarism, Software Piracy}
Phrase
List Item
…………….helps to ensure the confidentiality of our data and information.
………………..is the attempt to acquire sensitive information by pretending as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
The illegal copying, distribution, or use of software is known as ……………….and …………………….helps us to protect our software from such illegal use.
Question 4
Match each of the given phrases relating to computer networks with the most suitable item from the list below.
List ={ADSL Connection, DSL Connection, FTP, HTTP, Internet Layer, Malware, Phising, TCP, Tranport Layer, UDP}
Phrase
List Item
A simple and query based communication model with a minimum use of protocol mechanisms applied in trasport layer.
A protocol for data communication in the World Wide Web
The layer that defines the addressing and routing structures used for the TCP/IP protocol suite in the TCP/IP model.
The process of attepting to get sensitive information from smeone by pretending as a trustworthy person.
The connection that allows the data transmission at much greater speed and capacity than the narrowband services.
Important Notes:
Pure Brick-and-Mortar:
Traditional businesses with physical stores only and no online presence.
Example: A local grocery store with no website.
Brick-and-Click:
Businesses that have both physical stores and an online presence.
Example: Walmart or Target – customers can shop in-store or online.
Pure Click:
Businesses that operate only online, with no physical storefronts.
Example: Amazon or Netflix.
Click-and-Mortar (Same as Brick-and-Click):
This is another term for Brick-and-Click businesses combining offline and online operations.
