Programming and Databases

What is the decimal number 75 in binary and hexadecimal?

• 5C in binary and 0101 1100 in hex

• 4B in binary and 0100 1011 in hex

• 0100 1011 in binary and 4B in hex

• D.0101 1100 in binary and 5C in hex

Answer explanation

Hex notation is often indicated using 0x to precede the hex digits, so you may see this written like 0x4b. To work out the answer without a calculator, write out the place values for each notation system. For binary you'd have columns for 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, and 1 and put a 1 in each column you need to add up to 75 and a 0 in the others. For hex you only need 16 and 1 (75 divided by 16 is 4 remainder 11, which is represented as "B" in hex)

The binary number 0100 1011 represents 75 in decimal. Binary uses 0s and 1s, not hex. In hex, 0x4b (or 4B) represents the decimal number 75.

5C in hex represents the decimal number 92. 5C is not a binary representation and 0101 1100 is not a hex representation.

Although 0101 1100 is binary, it represents the decimal 92, not 75. Similarly, the hex representation of 5C equates to the decimal 92, not 75.

Which notation system supports presenting the largest numbers using the fewest digits?

• Hexadecimal

• Decimal

• Binary

• KiloByte

Answer explanation

The notational system that supports presenting the largest numbers using the fewest digits is hexadecimal. With hexadecimal notation, each digit can store 16 bits of information. Because of this efficiency, hex is ideal for handling large values. Hexadecimal is also referred to as base 16.

In a decimal system, a single digit stores 4 bits of information. Decimal is also referred to as base 10.

In binary notation, a single digit stores only 1 bit of information. Binary is also referred to as base 2.

A KiloByte is a unit of measure and not a notational system.

Which data type provides for whole numbers only?

• Integer

• Boolean

• Hexadecimal

• D.Secondary

Answer explanation

The integer data type is for whole numbers expressed in decimal notation (0-9).

The boolean data type is used for binary notation where there are only two digits represented (0 or 1), indicating conditions such as False/True or Off/On.

Some, but not all computer languages provide for hexadecimal data types to store numbers expressed in hexadecimal notation, which gives you the ability to assign more than 10 values to a column (up to 15). Values in hexadecimal notation are 0 to 9, and then alpha characters (A to F) are used for 10 to 15.

Secondary notation like italics and bold characters are used in programming to bring attention to the code, so as to make it easier to notice important information, but it is not a data type.

In general, what is the difference between the char and string data types?

• There is a limit on the amount of storage that can be used by a string. There is no limit for a character.

• Char is variable length field for storing a sequence of characters. A string stores a single textual character or string in a fixed length field (typically 1 byte).

• A number entered as a string cannot be used for mathematical operations. When a number is entered as a character data type, you can perform mathematical operations on it.

• Char stores a single textual character in a fixed length field (typically 1 byte). A string is a variable length field for storing a sequence of characters.

Answer explanation

A character (or char) can be a letter of the alphabet, a symbol, or a numerical character (a, D, 7, $, @, #). A string is a collection of characters such as "XYZ" and the infamous "Hello world." There is no real limit on the amount of storage that can be used by a string. Generally, you define the string length when you define the data type.

A character is typically a single byte, whereas a string is unlimited.

A number entered as a either a character or a string data type typically cannot have mathematical operations performed on it. Mathematical operations can be performed on integers, floats, and other numerical representations.

There is a limit on the amount of storage that can be used on a character (typically 1 byte), whereas there is no limit on a string.

What is TRUE about legal protection for a novel software algorithm?

• Patent provides the best protection as it can enforce ownership even if someone tries to write the algorithm in a slightly different way.

• Trademark provides the best protection as it can enforce ownership to protect the unique elements of a software algorithm.

• You can only copyright the name, not the software algorithm itself. The copyright will make you the sole owner of that brand.

• You can't legally protect a novel software algorithm. It will be owned by the original publisher of the software that you used to create it.

Answer explanation

You can legally protect a novel software algorithm through both a copyright and a patent. The difference being that you do not have to actually create a product (just the idea) for a patent.

Trademark is the term used to protect a name or a logo so that a company can promote its goods without fear of someone stealing the brand.

A copyright is an automatic legal protection granted to certain types of work, indicating that the copyright holder owns the right to control the use of the work, including rights of publication, distribution, or sale. Copyright includes the entire work, not just the name.

Protection of intellectual property is a major concern in today's digital environment. A software algorithm and the software it is used in can all be protected.

What data protection technology could you implement in order to restrict the type of activity that a user could employ on digital products that they have purchased or rented?

• Trademark

• Patent

• Digital Rights Management

• Copyright

Answer explanation

Digital rights management (DRM) is a set of access control technologies for restricting the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. "Pay-per-use" policies were meant to prevent intellectual property from being copied freely, just as physical locks are needed to prevent personal property from being stolen.

Patents protect inventions and ideas and are legal protections, not a technical solution that can be implemented.

Trademarks are protections assigned to names and logos, not technical measures to enforce copyright.

Copyright is a legal protection granted to certain types of work, not a technical protection implemented to restrict the activities a user can employ on digital products.

Which data representation format can encode the widest range of characters?

• Binary

• ASCII

• Unicode

• Hex

Answer explanation

Unicode is the standard maintained by the Unicode Consortium, and as of June 2018 the most recent version is Unicode 11.0. It can encode the widest range of characters.

ASCII codes represent text in computers, telecommunications equipment, and other devices. Most modern character-encoding schemes are based on ASCII, although they support many additional characters. ASCII supports 256 characters.

Data representation defines how character data is presented. Binary is not a data representation format that encodes characters.

Hex is not a data representation format that encodes characters.

What part of the process of data analytics is most closely supported by meaningful reporting?

• Insights

• Data

• Information

• Correlation

Answer explanation

Meaningful reporting refers to informing human decision making at the insights layer, as the information identified by the analytics system is presented in ways that humans can analyze and interpret.

Raw data exists in the earliest phases of the data analytics process and more closely supports data capture and collection, not meaningful reporting.

Information results from moderate interpretation of data. For example, the unique number of visitors to a website provides better information than the number of hits. Information is most closely supported by data correlation, not meaningful reporting.

Correlation refers to a phase of data-driven business decisions where information is analyzed. Information is the result of data correlation which feeds into meaningful reporting.

In order to obtain support on a currently installed application, the software vendor wants to know the application's product ID. How would you locate this information?

• Look in the Warranty information packet.

• Usually via the Help > About menu.

• Open the System Settings menu.

• Search manufacturer's website.

Answer explanation

Manufacturers will reference model number or a service code for service support. The model number or service code, usually located via the Help > About menu, will assist you in finding information specific to the computer system that you are working on.

The warranty information may tell you if you are covered, but it won't help you find the product ID.

The System's Settings provide access to configuration options. You will not be able to find application's product ID in the System's Settings menu.

The manufacturer's website will have a lot of helpful information, but it won't have your service code for service support. That is usually a random number specifically generated and assigned to the product that you purchased.

What is the difference between freeware and open source software?

• Open source applications are those that may be downloaded from the Internet and used without restriction.

• Open source means that the software is intended for purchase to meet commercial needs.

• Open source is provided on a trial basis and users commonly have to purchase the full version after the trial period has passed.

• Open source means that the programming code used to design the software is publicly available.

Answer explanation

Open source licensing ensures that free and legal redistribution of the software is possible. You have the ability to access the code and have the right to modify it.

Commercial software is the type of software intended to meet commercial needs, not Open Source software.

Shareware is software that is similar to freeware, but it is usually provided on a trial basis. 

Freeware applications are those that may be downloaded from the Internet and used without restriction.You do not have the ability to access the code and modify it, however.