Cambridge IGCSE ™: Computer Science

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Cambridge IGCSE™

COMPUTER SCIENCE 0478/12


Paper 1 Computer Systems February/March 2023
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2023 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level
components.

This document consists of 10 printed pages.

© UCLES 2023 [Turn over


0478/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme February/March 2023
PUBLISHED

Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors
for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.

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0478/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme February/March 2023
PUBLISHED

Mark scheme abbreviations

/ separates alternative words / phrases within a marking point


// separates alternative answers within a marking point
underline actual word given must be used by candidate (grammatical variants accepted)
max indicates the maximum number of marks that can be awarded
() the word / phrase in brackets is not required, but sets the context

Note: No marks are awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

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0478/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme February/March 2023
PUBLISHED

Question Answer Marks

1(a) D 1

1(b) One mark for identification. E.g. One mark per bullet for description to max 6
two each.

Virus
• Software/code that replicates
• …when the user runs it // with an active host
• Deletes/damages/corrupts data/files // takes up storage/memory space

Worm
• Software/code that replicates itself on a network
• …without user input // without active host
• Takes-up bandwidth
• Deletes/damages/corrupts data/files // takes up storage/memory space
• Opens back doors to computers over the network
• Used to deposit other malware on networked computers

Trojan horse
• Software/code that is hidden within other software // Software that is
disguised as authentic software
• …when downloaded/installed the other malware/by example it
contains is installed

Adware
• Software/code that generates/displays (unwanted) adverts on a user's
computer
• Some may contain spyware/other malware
• Some when clicked may link to viruses
• Reduces device performance // reduces internet speed
• Redirects internet searches/user to fake websites

Ransomware
• Software/code that stops a user accessing/using their computer/data
• …by encrypting the data/files/computer
• A fee has to be paid to decrypt the data // A fee has to be paid to
'release' the computer/device/data

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0478/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme February/March 2023
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Question Answer Marks

1(c) One mark for each similarity to max two. One mark for difference (both 3
sides needed unless clearly and accurately implied).

Similarities e.g.
• Check incoming and outgoing signals // filter traffic
• Store whitelist/blacklist
• Block incoming/outgoing signals
• Both block unauthorised access
• Keep a log of traffic
• Both can be hardware or software (or both)

Differences e.g.
• Proxy can hide user's IP address, firewall does not hide the user's IP
address
• Proxy intention is to divert attack from server, firewall is to stop
unauthorised access
• Proxy protects a server, firewall protects individual computer
• Proxy examines/processes requests for a website but a firewall does
not (checks type of signal) // Proxy processes client-side requests
whereas firewall filters packets
• Proxy transmits website data to the user, but a firewall does not (it
allows valid signals)
• Proxy allows faster access to a web page using cache, but a firewall
does not (allow faster access or have cache)
• Proxy can hide internal network from internet, but a firewall cannot

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Question Answer Marks

2(a) No mark for choice. 4


Any four from matching choice.

High-level
• Easier for programmer to read/write/understand/edit
• … therefore, the programmer is less likely to make mistakes // can write
in shorter timeframe
• Easier to debug // Easier to find/correct errors
• …so, the programmer can find and correct errors in less time
• Game will be machine independent // Game will be portable (between
hardware)
• …the game can be used on any computer without a need for
understanding of the hardware / compilation for that hardware
• Programmer can focus on the problem instead of the manipulation of
memory/hardware

Low-level
• More memory/RAM efficient
• … 3D graphics will have high memory consumption anyway
• Allows direct manipulation of memory
• … allows for more efficient control/response time
• Allows for use of specialised hardware

2(b) Two from for each compiler and interpreter. 4

Compiler
• Checks all code before executing any code
• Produces error report with all errors found for the whole code (before
translating/running any of the code)
• Produces executable file

Interpreter
• Checks/translates one line of code and then executes it before moving
on to the next line
• Stops when an error is found
• … when corrected the program can be run from the same position //
allows error correction in real time

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0478/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme February/March 2023
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Question Answer Marks

3(a) One mark each: 4


8 bytes = 16 nibbles
512 KiB = 0.5 MiB
4 GiB = 4096 MiB
1 EiB = 1024 PiB

3(b) Any three from: 3


• Currently running data
• Currently running (application) software
• Currently running instructions
• Currently running parts of OS
• Currently running utility software

3(c) Any two from: 2


• For non-volatile/permanent/long-term storage of files/data
• To store data that is not currently required by the CPU
• To store data to transfer it to another computer

Question Answer Marks

4(a) One mark each: 2

Pixel:
• One square/circle of one colour // the smallest component of the
image

Resolution:
• The number of pixels per set area/cm/inch // the number of pixels wide
by the number of pixels high // number of pixels in an image

4(b) One mark for answer: 2


• 2 000 000 bytes

One mark for working from:


• 1000  1000 (= 1 000 000)
• 1 000 000 * 2 (= 2 000 000)

4(c) One mark for each term: 4

Solid-state storage is non-volatile. This means that the data is not lost
when the power is turned off.
Solid-state storage is made of transistors that are laid out in a grid.
Gates are used to control the flow of the electrons through the transistors.
This changes the data in the transistors from 1 to 0, or from 0 to 1.

4(d) Any one from: 1


• Reduce the file size
• Increase transmission speed // Reduce transmission time
• Reduce storage space required
• Less bandwidth required for transmission

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Question Answer Marks

5(a)(i) Any two from: 2


e.g.
• Destination IP/address
• Packet number
• Originators IP/address
• Error detection method

5(a)(ii) One mark each: 2


• Payload
• Trailer

5(b)(i) No mark for choice. 3


Three from for justification that matches choice.

Serial
• Data arrives in order sent // does not need reordering
• Less likely to experience interference
• … less likely to have errors
• Can transmit over a longer distance (i.e. another room)
• Still fast transmission…
• …sufficient for this purpose

Parallel
• Faster transmission speed than serial
• … faster response to requests
• Very long connection not needed
• …next room is (likely) within distance for parallel
• … unlikely to error/arrive out of sequence/skew

5(b)(ii) One mark each: 2


• Data goes in both directions…
• …at the same time

5(c)(i) One mark each: 2

0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

5(c)(ii) One mark each: 2


• In parity check, interchange of bits will not be detected // Parity check
cannot detect even number of changes // Parity check cannot detect
error if parity stays correct …
• …the (possible) position of all changes will be highlighted // will identify
the horizontal and vertical position of all differences/changes

5(c)(iii) One mark each: 2


• Bit 6
• Byte 4

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0478/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme February/March 2023
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Question Answer Marks

5(d)(i) Any two from: 2


e.g.
• Storing bookmarks/favourites
• Storing history
• Allow multiple tabs/web pages to be open
• Allow movement back and forth between web pages // provides
navigation tools
• Allows the user to enter a URL/IP into the address bar
• Manages HTTP/HTTPS protocol
• Search cache for IP // Request IP from DNS // Send URL to DNS
• Sends a request to the IP address/web server (to obtain the contents
of a web page)
• Runs active script/JavaScript/client-side script
• Allows files to be downloaded from website/internet

5(d)(ii) Any two from: 2


e.g.
• Storing preferences // so the user does not have to select their
preferences each time they visit the site
• Storing account details // so the user does not have to remember/enter
their username and password each time they visit the site
• Storing recent purchases // to allow the user to quickly re-order more
items
• Storing the pages visited/items selected // to display relevant adverts
• Storing shopping basket // so when the user leaves the site the items
are still in their basket

Question Answer Marks

6(a) One mark each 4

Movement Binary Denary Hexadecimal

forward 1 step 00011111 31 1F

back 1 step 10001100 140 8C

turn right 01011010 90 5A

turn left (0)1111000 120 78

6(b) Any two from: 2


• The design of robots (to perform tasks/operations/functions)
• The construction of robots (to perform tasks/operations/functions)
• The operation of robots (to perform tasks/operations/functions)

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Question Answer Marks

6(c) Seven from: 7


• Uses an infra-red/proximity sensor
• Sensor continuously sends the digitised value/reading/distance to the
microprocessor
• Microprocessor compares the data/signal to the stored value of 10(cm)
• If the data/signal is greater than the stored value/10 …
• …a signal is sent to make the robot move forward
• If the data/signal is less than or equal to the stored value/10 …
• …a signal is sent to make robot turn
• An actuator is used to make the robot turn/move forward
• The whole process repeats continuously until turned off/stopped

6(d)(i) Any three from: 3


e.g.
• Collects data
• Stores rules for using the data
• The ability to reason
• The ability to learn // uses machine learning
• … by adapting what it does
• … for example, from mistakes to not make them again // result from
previous decisions impacts future
• … by changing its own rules
• …by changing its own data
• …by being trained
• Makes one or more predictions (to make a decision)
• Find/analyse patterns

6(d)(ii) Four from: 4


e.g.
• Use machine learning algorithms
• Collects data about where it has been
• Collect data about obstacles/problems
• Store successful actions
• Stores unsuccessful actions
• Identify/store patterns
• … to make sure it does not repeat the same incorrect route
• … so, it knows how to react to obstacles next time
• …so, it knows what is most likely to work next time

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