Pass the WGU Courses and Certificates Introduction-to-IT Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

1.Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):

oThe ALU is a critical component within the CPU. It performs various arithmetic operations (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and logic operations (such as comparisons, AND/OR operations, and shifting).

oWhen you perform a calculation on your computer, the ALU processes the numbers involved and produces the result.

oFor example, when you add two numbers in a spreadsheet, the ALU handles the addition operation.

2.Instruction Execution:

oThe CPU executes instructions based on machine code (binary signals represented as 1’s and 0’s).

oThese instructions come from software programs (applications), the operating system, or other components.

oThe CPU fetches an instruction from memory, decodes it, performs the necessary operation (using the ALU), and then stores the result.

oThis process happens at an incredibly fast rate, allowing your computer to perform complex tasks seamlessly.

3.System Bus:

oThe CPU communicates with other components (such as RAM, storage devices, and peripherals) through the system bus.

oThe system bus consists of three types:

Control Bus: Facilitates communication between the CPU and other devices.

Data Bus: Transfers data between different components.

Address Bus: Identifies memory locations for data access.

References

1.What Is a CPU, and What Does It Do? - How-To Geek

2.What Is The Purpose Of The Central Processing Unit (CPU) In A Computer? - Robots.net

3.Central Processing Unit (CPU) - GeeksforGeeks12

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a type of systems testing that involves end users testing the system with simulated data and the assistance of the developer or testing team. Let’s break down the options:

•User Acceptance (A): UAT is the final phase of testing before the software is released to production. It ensures that the system meets the business requirements and is acceptable to end users. During UAT, actual users (not developers) validate the system’s functionality, usability, and overall performance using real-world scenarios and data.

•Alpha (B): Alpha testing is conducted by the development team within the organization. It is an early-stage testing phase where developers test the software for defects and issues. End users are not directly involved in alpha testing.

•Beta ©: Beta testing occurs after alpha testing. It involves releasing the software to a limited group of external users (beta testers) who provide feedback. Beta testing is not specifically focused on simulated data or end user involvement.

•Analysis (D): Analysis is not a type of systems testing. It refers to the process of examining data, identifying patterns, and drawing conclusions.

In summary, the correct answer is A. User Acceptance, which aligns with the scenario described in the question.

References:

1.ISTQB Glossary: User Acceptance Testing

•Businesses are beginning to use big data to integrate vast amounts of electronic data into analysis in order to gain insight for better decision making.

•Explanation: Big data allows organizations to analyze large datasets to uncover patterns, trends, and correlations, leading to more informed decisions and strategic business moves1.

•

Therefore, the correct answer is A. To integrate vast amounts of electronic data into analysis in order to gain insight for better decision making.

Hierarchical databases use a parent-child relationship model. In this type of database, data is organized into a tree-like structure that implies a single-parent for each record. This model allows the representation of data in a hierarchy which is very much like a family tree. Each parent can have multiple children, but each child has only one parent (also known as a one-to-many relationship).

The hierarchical database model was one of the first database models, historically used with mainframe computers. In this model, records contain information about their groups of parent/child relationships, similar to a family tree. If we consider a database of employees,each department would be a parent node, and each employee within that department would be a child node of the department.

References: The concept of parent-child relationships in databases is well-established and discussed in various educational resources and forums. For example, Stack Overflow provides explanations of how these relationships work in practice12. Additionally, other resources like phoenixnap.com explain how these relationships are established in databases3.

1.Proprietary Software Definition:

oProprietary software, also known as commercial software, is software that is exclusively owned and controlled by a single entity (usually a software company or vendor).

oUsers must obtain a license to use proprietary software, and the terms and conditions of this license are outlined in an end-user license agreement (EULA).

2.Ownership and Access to Source Code:

oProprietary software is considered “closed-source” because the source code is not available to the public.

oOnly the original developers or copyright holders have access to the complete source code.

oUsers do not have the right to modify or distribute the software’s source code.

3.Rights Granted by a Proprietary Software License:

oWhen a business acquires a proprietary software license, it gains the following rights:

Right to Use: The business can use the software for its intended purpose.

Limited Access: Users can interact with the software’s user interface but cannot access or modify the underlying code.

Restrictions: The license may impose restrictions on copying, distribution, and reverse engineering.

Enforcement: Violating the license terms can result in legal action by the software vendor.

4.Comparison to Open Source Software:

oProprietary software differs from open source software, where the source code is freely accessible, modifiable, and distributable.

oExamples of proprietary software include Microsoft Windows, Adobe Photoshop, and commercial applications.

References

1.Montague Law: Proprietary Software License Explained for 2023

2.UpCounsel: Proprietary Software License: Everything You Need to Know

3.Wikipedia: Software License

4.TheCyberGarden: Software Licensing - The Proprietary Model and the Open Source Model

5.Toppr: What is Proprietary Software - Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages

•Verified Answer: IT allows businesses to have a global reach.

•Explanation: Information Technology enables companies to connect and operate on an international scale, facilitating global communication, transactions, and collaboration123.

•References: 123

Therefore, the correct answer is B. IT allows businesses to have a global reach.

1.Translates human-friendly aliases into IP addresses: DNS serves as the “phone book” of the internet, converting user-friendly domain names (like www.example.com) into numerical IP addresses (such as 192.0.2.1) that computers and network devices use to locate one another on the internet12.

2.Stores IP addresses and aliases in a table on the server: DNS servers maintain records that map domain names to corresponding IP addresses. These records are stored in distributed databases across various DNS servers, ensuring efficient and reliable resolution of domain names1.

References

1.GeeksforGeeks: What is Domain Name System (DNS)?

2.Cloudflare: What is DNS? How DNS works

To calculate a percentage of a price, you need a data type that can handle decimal values, as the result may not be a whole number. Here’s why a floating-point data type is appropriate:

1.Precision: Floating-point data types are designed to handle numbers that have a fractional part, which is essential for representing percentages accurately.

2.Calculation: When calculating 90% of a retail price, you multiply the price by 0.9. This operation requires a data type that can represent both the price and the resulting product with decimal precision.

3.Storage: Floating-point types can store a wide range of values with precision, making them suitable for financial calculations where the exact amount matters.

The other options are not suitable for the following reasons:

•A. Boolean: Can only represent two values, true or false.

•C. Auto-number: Typically used for unique identifiers and cannot represent fractional values.

•D. String: While it can represent a number as text, it is not suitable for calculations without conversion, which is inefficient and error-prone.

References: The decision to use a floating-point data type for percentage calculations is supported by best practices in programming and database design, as discussed in various programming forums and documentation123. These sources recommend using decimal or floating-point types for financial calculations to ensure accuracy and avoid errors that can arise from binary floating-point representations2.

Application software and operating systems serve different purposes within a computer system. The primary distinction lies in their functionality and interaction with the computer’s hardware and the user.

•Operating Systems (OS):

oAn OS is system software that acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer hardware.

oIt manages and coordinates the hardware components of a computer system, including the CPU, memory, storage devices, and peripheral devices.

oThe OS provides a platform for application software to run and facilitates user interaction with the system through a user interface.

oExamples include Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS.

•Application Software:

oApplication software consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks for the user.

oThese tasks can range from productivity applications like word processors and spreadsheets (Answer A) to communication tools like email clients (Answer B).

oUnlike the OS, application software does not manage hardware resources directly. Instead, it relies on the OS to provide these services.

oExamples include Microsoft Word, Excel, and Mozilla Firefox.

•Key Differences:

oApplication software is run by the end-user to perform specific tasks, while the OS runs in the background, managing the overall operation of the computer system.

oThe OS directly supports and manages the computer hardware system, which is not the case for application software.

References: The information provided here is verified through reliable sources that detail the differences between application software and operating systems12.

1.Providing Valuable Ethical Guidelines to IT Professionals:

oProfessional associations establish codes of ethics and codes of conduct that outline expected behavior for IT professionals.

oThese guidelines address ethical considerations related to privacy, security, honesty, and professional responsibility.

oBy adhering to these standards, IT professionals contribute to the well-being of society and uphold the public good1.

2.Engaging in the Development and Adoption of Industry-Leading Practices:

oAssociations collaborate with industry experts to develop globally-accepted best practices.

oThey promote ethical behavior by disseminating these practices through seminars, conferences, and certification courses.

oBy following these standards, IT professionals ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of their work2.

References

•ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct: The ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) provides a comprehensive code of ethics for computing professionals.

•Chapter 8: The Making of a Profession: Values, Ethics, and Conducts: This chapter discusses the role of professional associations in establishing ethical guidelines.

•Code of Professional Ethics | IS/IT Certifications | ISACA: ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) emphasizes compliance and governance in IT ethics3.

•Ethics and the IT Professional | EDUCAUSE Review: Various associations, including AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals), contribute to ethical guidance