BT-205 Basic Computer Engineering - Jun 2025 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aClassify computers based on size and functionality. Compare supercomputers, mainframes and embedded systems.
   How to answer

   • Classification of computers: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded systems
   • Definitions and purpose of each type based on size and functionality
   • Tabular comparison of supercomputers, mainframes, and embedded systems (speed, architecture, use cases, cost)
2. 7 Marks
   bExplain the architecture and working of a CPU with a labeled diagram.
   How to answer

   • Labeled block diagram of CPU showing ALU, Control Unit, Registers, and System Bus
   • Explanation of Control Unit (CU) and Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
   • Role of CPU registers (PC, IR, MAR, MDR, Accumulator)
   • Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle
3. 7 Marks
   aDefine an Operating System. Discuss its structure and explain the concept of a kernel.
   How to answer

   • Definition of Operating System as resource manager and interface
   • Layered / Monolithic / Microkernel OS structures
   • Definition and core functions of Kernel (process management, memory management, I/O)
   • Types of kernels (monolithic vs microkernel)
4. 7 Marks
   bWhat is an algorithm? Write an algorithm to find largest value from the given three numbers.
   How to answer

   • Definition and properties of an algorithm (finiteness, definiteness, inputs/outputs)
   • Step-by-step algorithm to read three numbers A, B, C
   • Comparison logic: if A > B and A > C, else if B > C, else C is largest
   • Output the largest number and terminate
5. 7 Marks
   aList and explain various operators in object oriented program.
   How to answer

   • General operators: Arithmetic, Relational, Logical, Bitwise, Assignment
   • Special C++ / OOP operators: Scope resolution operator (::), memory allocation/deallocation operators (new, delete)
   • Member access operators (. and ->), pointer-to-member operators (.* and ->*)
   • Brief syntax and usage examples for each special operator
6. 7 Marks
   bWrite a C++ program to swap two numbers.
   How to answer

   • Include header file `<iostream>` and using namespace std
   • Input two integer values inside `main()`
   • Logic to swap using a third variable (or arithmetic/call-by-reference)
   • Display values before and after swap
7. 7 Marks
   aHow many types of constructors are present in C++? Explain in detail.
   How to answer

   • Definition of constructor and its characteristics
   • Default constructor with syntax and example
   • Parameterized constructor with syntax and example
   • Copy constructor with syntax and example
   • Brief mention of dynamic constructor / constructor overloading
8. 7 Marks
   bDemonstrate the working of a friend function in C++ with an example.
   How to answer

   • Definition and purpose of friend function
   • Syntax of declaring `friend` function inside a class
   • Complete C++ program showing class definition with private members
   • Friend function definition outside class accessing private data without scope resolution
   • Output showing correct behavior
9. 7 Marks
   aWrite a program to read and print employee information using multiple inheritance.
   How to answer

   • Definition of multiple inheritance (one derived class inherits from two or more base classes)
   • Declare Base Class 1 (e.g., `Person` with name, age)
   • Declare Base Class 2 (e.g., `JobDetails` with designation, department)
   • Declare Derived Class `Employee` inheriting both base classes and adding employee-specific data (e.g., salary, emp_id)
   • Functions to input and display employee details in `main()`
10. 7 Marks
    bDifferentiate between TCP/IP and ISO-OSI reference model.
    How to answer

    • Layer comparison diagram showing 7 OSI layers vs 4 TCP/IP layers
    • Comparison on theoretical model vs implemented protocol suite
    • Comparison on service/interface distinction
    • Connection-oriented vs connectionless services at transport layer
11. 7 Marks
    aWhat is a Firewall? Illustrate the working principle of a firewall.
    How to answer

    • Definition of firewall as a network security system
    • Working principle: inspecting inbound and outbound network traffic based on predefined security rules
    • Types: Packet-filtering, Stateful inspection, Application-level gateway (proxy)
    • Schematic diagram showing firewall filtering between trusted internal network and untrusted public network
12. 7 Marks
    bExplain the procedure involved in protecting devices from malware, virus and worms.
    How to answer

    • Definitions of malware, virus, and worms
    • Installation and updating of antivirus / anti-malware software
    • Regular system updates and patch management
    • Enabling firewalls and email attachment scanning
    • Safe browsing habits and regular data backups
13. 7 Marks
    aDescribe the functions of a DBA in maintaining the performance, integrity and security of a database.
    How to answer

    • Definition and role of Database Administrator (DBA)
    • Performance maintenance: indexing, query optimization, resource allocation
    • Integrity maintenance: defining integrity constraints, preventing data redundancy, transaction controls
    • Security maintenance: user authentication, access rights, encryption, and regular backup/disaster recovery
14. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss about the different cloud service delivery models.
    How to answer

    • Overview of cloud computing service models
    • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): characteristics, virtualization, examples (AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine)
    • Platform as a Service (PaaS): runtime environments, development tools, examples (Google App Engine, Heroku)
    • Software as a Service (SaaS): accessible web apps, examples (Google Workspace, Office 365)
    • Comparison of user responsibility vs provider responsibility across models
15. 14 Marks
    Write a short note on any two of the following:

    1. i)Meteorology and Climatology
    2. ii)Object oriented features
    3. iii)Cyberstalking
    4. iv)Cloud infrastructure
    How to answer

    • Meteorology and Climatology: role of computational models, high-performance computing in weather and climate forecasting
    • Object oriented features: encapsulation, abstraction, inheritance, polymorphism, classes, and objects
    • Cyberstalking: definition, forms of online harassment, legal and cyber protection aspects
    • Cloud infrastructure: hardware, storage, networks, virtualization components that support cloud services