INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PAPER 2
GRADE 12
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
MEMORANDUM
MAY/JUNE 2021 

SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
1.1
1.1.1 G ✓ (1)
1.1.2 I✓ (1)
1.1.3 A✓ (1)
1.1.4 N✓ (1)
1.1.5 E✓ (1)
1.1.6 L✓ (1)
1.1.7 H✓ (1)
1.1.8 K✓ (1)
1.1.9 J✓ (1)
1.1.10 C✓ (1)
1.2
1.2.1 SSD – solid state drive (1)
1.2.2 Driver (1)
1.2.3 Software as a service (Saas) (1)
1.2.4 Convergence (1)
1.2.5 Cookie (1)
TOTAL SECTION A: 15

SECTION B: SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES
QUESTION 2
2.1 Point to point connections between components (not devices) are not shared/ are dedicated ✓
providing high data transfer speeds ✓ (2)
2.2
2.2.1 Quad-core✓ (1)
2.2.2 A task is separated into different threads ✓ that can be processed simultaneously✓ spread/executed on/by different cores. (2)
2.2.3 Any TWO of: ✓✓

• Stores data and instructions that may be needed next / recently used / pre-fetched
• It is high speed memory / closer to (on) the CPU
• Faster access than fetching from RAM
• Prevent slower process from slowing down systems (2)

2.3 A bus ✓ (1)
2.4 Discuss TWO characteristic of RAM (2 x ✓✓) of the following:

• RAM has no moving parts and it is completely electronic (Solid State Memory) - Electronic
• RAM is faster than any mechanical hardware (hard/optical drive) - Fast
• RAM loses its contents if the power supply is interrupted - Volatile
• RAM is more expensive per GB than storage - Comparatively expensive
• It stores data and instructions currently being executed.
  NOTE: Only one mark if the characteristic is mentioned with no discussion (4)

2.5 By using one computer✓developers can test their software on different operating systems / platforms. ✓ (2)
2.6
2.6.1 Firmware is used to control the basic operation of a device. ✓ (1)
2.6.2 On a ROM ✓chip (1)
2.7 The CMOS is the type of memory that stores the BIOS settings that can be changed, ✓while the BIOS contains the essential start-up instructions / does the POST on a computer. ✓ (2)
2.8 THREE concepts: ✓✓✓

• Make sure that you have a good backup policy and know how to restore your data / save all your important files in the cloud / syncing of files across devices.
• Make sure you have records of all your licence keys and serial numbers.
• Keep the software installation files/CD/DVD/flash disk in a place where you can easily find and access them.

Concepts:

• Data backup
• Keeping licence keys/ serial numbers
• Keep installation files/CDs/DVD/flash disk

2.9
2.9.1 8 bits ✓ (1)
2.9.2 Any TWO of ✓✓

• Ease of access/speed
• This enables the user to better search for a file using words or phrases that might appear inside the document.
• The operating system has an index that does not only include file names, but also include words and parts of text inside the file. (2)

2.9.3 Any ONE of ✓

• To remove temp files downloaded from the Internet
• To remove deleted files and folders by emptying the recycle bin
• To remove temp files created by operating system
• To remove components of operating system that are not used
• To remove installed programs that you no longer/seldom uses
• To free up/open up additional space on the HDD
• To improve the access speed of the device (1)

TOTAL SECTION B: 25

SECTION C: COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES
QUESTION 3
3.1
3.1.1 Ethernet ✓ (1)
3.1.2 Any TWO of✓✓

• New devices can easily be added/removed/set up on the network.
• Easy to troubleshoot/maintain
• If any connected device breaks, the rest of the network is not affected.
• Network traffic can be managed more effectively (2)

3.1.3A switch connects many computers ✓on the same network and has the ability to direct network traffic to the correct port / lessens network traffic✓(2)
3.2
3.2.1 The person/point from which a downloaded file is being shared✓ (1)
3.2.2 Internet: Any ONE✓

• The Internet shares information accessible to everybody.
• Internet - much larger network than an Intranet / unlimited resources

Intranet: Any ONE✓

• An Intranet shares information / is accessible privately/ limited group.
• Intranet – small network with limited resources (2)

3.3
3.3.1 VPN✓ (any explanation implying VPN) (1)
3.3.2 It is a loophole that is programmed into software✓ that is used to bypass the security ✓ controls in the network/computer/program. (2)
3.3.3 All changes/updates of the files will automatically be copied to✓ all the devices linked to online storage/folders✓ (2)
3.4
3.4.1 Customised: A search in which the results are customised by search engines (like Google) to match one's profile of interests and activities✓
Context aware: A search in which additional information (e.g. one's present physical location) is used as criteria to make search results more relevant.✓ (2)
3.4.2 Advertisers pay for sponsored links to appear✓even when not relevant to the search. ✓
OR
The user often sees sponsored links first on the results page and these links do not always take you to a relevant information/website. (2)
3.5
3.5.1 Any TWO of ✓✓
Javascript, Pearl, Ruby, ASP.net, Python, PHP, HTML-5 (not without 5) (2)
3.5.2 Retrieves information from a database on the web server using the profile of the user✓ for whom the web page is dynamically created on the server before downloaded to your browser. ✓
Concepts:

• Personal information obtained from a database on the webserver
• Web page is created on the server before downloaded. (2)

3.6 DSS analyses the information gathered and presents it in a summarised or graphical format suitable for making informed decisions.
Any TWO of the following concepts:✓✓

• Analyse information
• Presents information in a summarised or graphical format suitable
• Assists in informed decision making/decision support system (2)

3.7 The quality of information - can be questionable as anybody can create/edit the information.✓
OR
The bias of editors - any editor can select/edit the information to promote his/her point of view. (1)
TOTAL SECTION C: 24

SECTION D: DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
QUESTION 4
4.1
4.1.1 To uniquely identify a record in a table. ✓ (1)
4.1.2 There can be more than one store in the mall that opened on the same day. ✓ (1)
4.1.3 StoreID/StoreNumber. ✓ (1)
4.2
4.2.1 Normalisation is the process of efficiently designing a database ensuring data integrity✓ and eliminating data redundancy.✓ OR Designing a database to prevent anomalies and data redundancy. (2)
4.2.2 NumYearsOpened can be calculated✓using the DateOpened field.✓ (2)
4.3 Any TWO of ✓✓

• Test for the format of the date e.g.
  format must be yyyy/mm/dd.
• Test if the date is in the correct range e.g.
  • the date the shop opened was after the date that the mall opened
  • check that the date is not in the future.
• Presence check – a date was entered or selected.
  NOTE: In each case accept an explanation or a suitable example. (2)

4.4
4.4.1 Any ONE of:✓
Has
Employs
Also accept any other sensible action verb that describes the relationship. (1)
4.4.2 B One to many ✓ (1)
4.5
4.5.1 False✓ (1)
4.5.2 True ✓ (1)
4.5.3 True ✓ (1)
4.5.4 True ✓ (1)
4.5.5 True ✓ (1)
4.6 Any TWO of ✓✓

• To make the data more suitable for data mining.
• Data need to be compressed to limit size.
• Data need to be standardised to the same format as the data in the data warehouse. (2)

4.7 Any ONE of✓

• To access the history of the record.
• To reinstate the record / provide for recovery if records are deleted accidentally.
• For auditing purposes. (1)

4.8 Any TWO of✓✓

• Slows down the network traffic because of the large volume of data being communicated/overloading.
• High data charges (cost).
• The risk of the whole business shutting down when the central database is down. (2)

4.9 Any TWO✓✓

• Validate data fields.
• Provide only certain options for example using a component where input can only be selected.
• Limit size of fields to be entered.
• Use parameterised queries. (2)

4.10.1 Online data collection is where data is processed immediately✓/in real time after it has been captured or collected.✓
OR
Data is captured/recorded and saved directly/immediately onto a system (2)
4.10.2 Any ONE example ✓ with the benefit/use of data ✓
Possible answers:

• The specific purchases are recorded – business establishes buying patterns of clients.
• The bank that clients use is recorded – business can use it as bargaining tool with bank.
• The time of day that purchase is made – can plan for rush hours.
  Also accept other valid answers. (2)

TOTAL SECTION D: 27

SECTION E: SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT
QUESTION 5
5.1
5.1.1 Any ONE of ✓

• Flowchart
• IPO
• Pseudo code (1)

5.1.2 Any ONE of ✓

• A programmer of any programming language must be able to understand / code the algorithm
• Anyone must be able to interpret the algorithm.
• It is just a planned solution, not a program. (1)

5.2
5.2.1 Any ONE of ✓

• Indent the code
• Better line spacing/open lines
• Add comments to code (1)

5.2.2

1. Logical error✓ (1)
2. Concepts:
   Scope:
   • iSum is a local variable in each of the subprograms / not global ✓
     Life time:
   • iSum is again declared ‘empty’ in each displayAnswer procedure call ✓ (2)

5.3
5.3.1 Any ONE of ✓
iRandom := random(31) + 10;
iRandom := randomrange(10,41); (1)
5.3.2

1. (iii) if (iRandom MOD 2 <> 0) then ✓ (1)
2. (ii) 8 ✓ (1)
3. (iii) Repeat
   …
   Until iCountOdd = 15;  (1)

5.4
5.4.1 Integer✓ (1)
5.4.2 Real/ Double ✓// the compiler will reject integer because of the sqrt (1)
5.5
5.5.1 Accessor method returns the current value of an attribute of an object✓
Mutator method returns no value but changes the current value of an attribute of an object.✓ (2)
5.5.2

1. Any ONE of: ✓
   • Accessibility
   • Private and public declaration (1)
2. Any ONE of:✓
   • To control access from other units/programs
   • Unintentional changes prevented
   • Direct access and change prevented. (1)

5.5.3 setContactNumber✓ (1)
5.6 sLine ←  iTerm1 + ' ' + iTerm2 ✓
loop ✓ I from 1 to iNumTerms – 2 ✓
start loop
iTerm3 ← iTerm1 + iTerm2 ✓
sLine ← sLine + iTerm3 + ' ' ✓
iTerm1 ← iTerm2✓
iTerm2 ← iTerm3 ✓
end loop
Display sLine ✓
(8)
TOTAL SECTION E: 25

SECTION F: INTEGRATED SCENARIO
QUESTION 6
6.1
6.1.1 Micro waves / Radio waves ✓ (1)
6.1.2 Any TWO of ✓✓

• To increase the range/ mall can cover a large area
• There may be a lot of traffic with many users on a single access point / less sharing of available bandwidth / will provide higher access speed
• Signal interference by structures like walls (2)

6.2
6.2.1 Mobile device ✓
OR accept a suitable example such as Smart phone/tablet/smart watch (1)
6.2.2 The trend that mobile devices increasingly use apps ✓ to access web-sites directly rather than via a browser.✓
OR
The web is the backend and the app is the front end. (2)
6.2.3 Any ONE for two marks✓✓
Designing your program to ensure the continuing function of a piece of software under unforeseen circumstances.
OR
When a programmer anticipates problems and writes code to deal with them. (2)
6.2.4 Any TWO of ✓✓

• Check data for consistency and integrity
• Use try/catch
• Range checking
• Format checking
• Using pre-defined lists / combo box
• Check if items are selected or input entered from components (2)

6.3
6.3.1 HTTPS / SSL✓ (1)
6.3.2

• Public key sent to the person/computer wishing to communicate, sent over the network ✓
• Public key used to ENCRYPT data/session key that is sent back to institution ✓ (bank),
• Private key that matches the public key which never moves over network) is used to DECRYPT the data/session key ✓
  Concepts: Marks allocated towards the following:
  Encryption using public key
  Decryption using private key
  Public key is sent / private key retained by user (3)

6.4
6.4.1 Computer-processing where the physical location of people and objects are determined ✓and used during processing.✓ (2)
6.4.2 Any ONE of✓

• Specific advertisements / notifications when someone walks pass a shop.
• Request to rate a shop as soon as you visit the shop.
  Any other acceptable answer. (1)

6.5
6.5.1 A white hat hacker does not cause damage ✓ they just prove skills/ test security/not committing a crime
A black hat hacker hacks to cause damage ✓or steal data or commit a crime. (2)
6.5.2 The servers become overloaded, unresponsive, and effectively unavailable for everyone. ✓ (1)
6.5.3 Any TWO of ✓✓

• Loss of revenue due to cost for security
• Downtime
• Damage of reputations / losing customers
• Loss of data
• Theft of money via web (2)

6.6 A fixed physical address that has a reception desk and meeting room ✓which is used as a shared space by people who otherwise work from a mobile office.  (2)
6.7
6.7.1 Telecommuting ✓ (1)
6.7.2 List the device ✓ (example filtered microphone / ear phones)
Motivation ✓ (example to block out background - sound / block out other conversations) (2)
6.7.3 Any ONE of ✓

• Skype
• Teams
• FaceTime
• Jitsi
• Zoom
• WhatsApp calls
  Any other correct video conferencing platform (1)

6.7.4 Any ONE of ✓

• Google Drive
• One Drive/Share point
• Dropbox
  Any other correct online storage space (1)

6.8
6.8.1 While Virtual Reality immerses you into a virtual world and blocks out the real word✓ / Computer based,
Augmented Reality refers to overlaying computer-generated images on top of real-time images ✓ / Combines real world images with computer generated images. (2)
6.8.2 Any ONE of ✓

• The app can have an assistant advertising some products
• The app can give you 3D views of some of the items in the shops
  Good explanation showing knowledge about using AR (1)

6.8.3 Any TWO of ✓✓

• Camera
• Gyroscope / movement sensor
• Accelerometers
• GPS
• Light sensor (2)

TOTAL SECTION F:34
GRAND TOTAL:150