Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC

SECTION 4 B OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 23: Computer Related Professions

Activity # 23

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Chapter 23: Computer Related Professions
Examination based short answer questions
INSTRUCTION: Answer all questions in your own words as accurately as possible.

1. Who is a programmer? (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
A programmer is an individual who writes/creates computer software or applications by giving
the computer specific programming instructions.

2. State FIVE responsibilities of a programmer today. (5 marks)

Possible Solution:
 System conception and design
 System development
 Writing code
 Testing
 Debugging
 Implementation
 Maintenance
 System instructions or programs

3. What is the difference between a system programmer and a software engineer?

(4 marks)
Possible Solution:
The system programmer or systems programmer installs, customizes, and maintains operating
systems, as well as installs or upgrades products that run on the system, while the software
engineer is an IT professional who develops the fundamental concepts that exist within the
software life cycle. Software must go through a cycle of repeating phases (like many other
products or services) before it is finalized and put on the market.

4. State TWO responsibilities of a software IT Manager. (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
 Manages all resources related to information technology and manages according to an
organization's priorities and needs.
 such as:

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Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC
SECTION 4 B OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 23: Computer Related Professions

o staffing,
o organizing,
o budgeting and control

5. Name TWO differences between a webmaster and a web designer. (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
A webmaster is an individual who maintains a website, while a web designer is someone who
prepares content for the Web.

6. What are the main roles of a database administrator? (5 marks)

Possible Solution:
Creation, maintenance, backup , querying, tuning, user rights assignment and security of an
organization's databases.

7. Who would you say a computer technician is? (1 mark)

Possible Solution:
A computer technician is an individual who identifies, troubleshoots and resolves computer
problems. Computer technicians possess skilled knowledge, hands-on experience and different
tools to repair and maintain computer hardware, software and network/Internet issues.
A computer technician is also known as a PC technician or PC repair technician.

(i) Name TWO roles of the computer technician. (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
Identifies, troubleshoots and resolves computer problems.

(ii) Explain ANY ONE. (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
Troubleshooting
 Hardware: Installing new power supplies, upgrading firmware, repairing motherboards, etc.
 Software: OS troubleshooting/installation, software/application installation, virus
scanning/firewall integration, etc.
 Network: Setting up and maintaining Internet connectivity, network configuration, sharing,
printer setup, etc.
 External/Peripheral devices: Installing, troubleshooting and repairing mice, keyboards,
cameras, speakers, monitors, etc.

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Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC
SECTION 4 B OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 23: Computer Related Professions

8. List FIVE roles and responsibilities of a systems analyst. (5 marks)

Possible Solution:

 Communicate with customers and stakeholders to learn and document requirements in

order to create a technical specification
 Interact and coordinate with developers
 Help perform system testing
 Deploy the system
 Help with technical documentation like manuals
 Deliberate over post-project assessment

(i) Explain ANY THREE briefly. (3 marks)

Possible Solution:
 Communicate with customers and stakeholders to learn and document requirements in
order to create a technical specification.
 Interact and coordinate with developers. Various developer have their own specifications
on computer materials. It is therefore important for the systems analyst to form a network
with the various vendors.
 Help perform system testing. It is always good to be involve in system development, that
way one will have first-hand experience of how the product work.

9. Who is a file librarian? (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
The file librarian is the person that ensures that data are kept up to date, stored and distributed
to the appropriate locations or department. Data is vulnerable to corruption, therefore it is up to
the file librarian to place files in archives and backed up on appropriate devices.

10. State FIVE responsibilities of a file librarian today. (5 marks)

Possible Solution:
Monitor, distribute, archive, compress and sometimes secure files.

11. What is the difference between a software trainer and a software engineer tester?
(4 marks)

Possible Solution:

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Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC
SECTION 4 B OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 23: Computer Related Professions

Software trainers are advanced ICT skilled teachers of software. They teach students how to
use and manipulate software, while Software testing provides validation that a software
application or product meets the technical requirements of a business, according to the
specifications outlined during its design and development.

12. State TWO responsibilities of a Multi – media Artist. (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
Creates special effects, and animations

13. Name TWO differences between a computer technician and a database administrator.
(2 marks)

Possible Solution:
A computer technician is an individual who identifies, troubleshoots and resolves computer
problems, while a database administrator, frequently known just by the acronym DBA, is a role
usually within the Information Technology department, charged with the creation, maintenance,
backup , querying, tuning, user rights assignment and security of an organization's databases.

14. Which of the computer related professions deal with “SA”? (1 mark)

Possible Solution:
A systems administrator, sys admin or sysadmin.

15. Which of the computer related professions deal with: software design, electronic
engineering and integrating software and hardware. (1 mark)

Possible Solution:
Computer Engineer

16. Complete the following statements: (15 marks)

Possible Solution:

(i) A programmer is an individual who writes/creates computer software or

applications by giving the computer specific programming instructions.
(ii) The system programmer or systems programmer installs, customizes, and
maintains operating systems, as well as installs or upgrades products that run on
the system.

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Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC
SECTION 4 B OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 23: Computer Related Professions

(iii) _ Middleware is a software "layer" between the operating system and the end
user or end user application. It supplies major functions that are not provided by
the operating system.
(iv) A _ software engineer is an IT professional who develops the fundamental
concepts that exist within the software life cycle. Software must go through a cycle
of repeating phases (like many other products or services) before it is finalized and
put on the market.
(v) Software trainers are advanced ICT skilled teachers of software. They teach
students how to use and manipulate software.
(vi) Software testing provides validation that a software application or product meets
the technical requirements of a business, according to the specifications outlined
during its design and development.
(vii) A systems analyst is an IT professional who works on a high level in an
organization to ensure that systems, infrastructures and computer systems are
functioning as effectively and efficiently as possible.
(viii) An Information technology manager (IT management) is an individual that
manages all resources related to information technology and manages according
to an organization's priorities and needs.
(ix) A system administrator (SA) is responsible for managing, overseeing and
maintaining a multiuser computing environment, such as a local area network
(LAN).
(x) A computer technician is an individual who identifies, troubleshoots and resolves
computer problems.
(xi) A computer engineer or computer systems engineer refers to an individual who
has studied in the field that integrates electronic engineering with computer
sciences to design and develop computer systems and other technological
devices.
(xii) A database administrator is a role usually within the Information Technology
department, charged with the creation, maintenance, backup, querying, tuning,
user rights assignment and security of an organization's databases.
(xiii) A webmaster is an individual who maintains a website. He or she may be
a web developer and the same individual that built a particular website, but the
duties are aimed at handling the upkeep of a functioning website.
(xiv) A Web designer is someone who prepares content for the Web. This role
is mainly related to the designing and layout of pages with content, including
text and images.
(xv) A multimedia artist creates special effects, animation, or other visual images
using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in
products or creations, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and
commercials.

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Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC
SECTION 4 B OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 23: Computer Related Professions

TOTAL 47 MARKS