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N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
Computer science
Standard level
Paper 2
Monday 11 November 2019 (morning)
1 hour
Instructions to candidates
y Do not open this examination paper until instructed to do so.
y Answer all of the questions from one of the options.
y The maximum mark for this examination paper is [45 marks].
Option Questions
Option A — Databases 1–3
Option B — Modelling and simulation 4–6
Option C — Web science 7–9
Option D — Object-oriented programming 10 – 12
8819 – 7015
13 pages © International Baccalaureate Organization 2019
–2– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
Option A — Databases
1. One-to-7 is an international organization that works with teachers and other educators. One
department within this organization provides an online forum for teachers to discuss ideas for
lessons and to share resources.
In order to access this forum teachers are required to submit the following information, which
will be stored in a table in the database.
Figure 1: Online form to register personal details to the One-to-7 forum
Personal Details Fields marked with an * are required
Personal Details
Title* First Name* Last Name*
None First Name Last Name
Email* School Email Phone*
[email protected] [email protected] (33) 123456789
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)* Country of Residence* Country of Birth*
Place of Birth*
Submit
(a) Identify one reason why the teacher’s name has been split into two fields. [1]
(b) Outline one reason why there may be concerns about the amount of personal
information that is requested. [2]
Once the submit button on the online form has been selected, the personal data is input into
the database.
(c) Outline why the transaction needs to be atomic in the context of this scenario. [2]
Once the teacher is registered they can post comments on the forum.
(d) Explain how transactions are managed to ensure isolation when registered teachers
add comments to a discussion thread on the forum. [3]
The One-to-7 database in managed by the database administrator (DBA).
(e) Identify two tasks that are carried out by the database administrator (DBA). [2]
The DBA is considering using the email address as the primary key, but is concerned that
many of the 250 000 educators who are registering for this online forum may have more than
one email address. Users may create duplicate accounts, deliberately or accidently, by using
different email addresses as usernames.
(f) Explain the factors that would need to be considered in using a composite primary key
instead of only using the email address. [4]
(Option A continues on the following page)
–3– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option A continued)
2. Taxonomy is the part of science that focuses on naming and classifying or grouping organisms.
Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus, developed the current hierarchical classification system of
taxonomic classification in the 1700s. This classification is hierarchical so one class has many
orders, and one order has many families.
Birds can be classified under the Linnaean hierarchical taxonomy as “Aves”. In one system
of classification, Aves has 23 orders, one of which is the order Ciconiiformes, which holds six
families within it.
(a) Construct an entity-relationship-diagram that shows the relationships between the
class, order and family. [2]
Spoonbills constitute one of the families within the order Ciconiiformes. Data can be collected
about spoonbills, such as length of the bill or beak, and is included in the database.
(b) (i) Outline, using an example, how data validation can ensure that data is entered
into the birds database correctly. [2]
(ii) Outline, using an example, how data verification can ensure that data is entered
into the birds database correctly. [2]
(c) Distinguish between data and information when entering the length of a spoonbill’s
beak in the database. [2]
(d) Identify two characteristics of a conceptual schema. [2]
(e) Explain why the use of data modelling is critical to the success of a database, such as
the one used in this scenario. [3]
(f) Explain, using the example described in the scenario, why referential integrity is
important in databases. [3]
3. Trucking On, a logistics and haulage company based in Marseille, France, keeps track of its
lorries and operations in a database.
Lorries are made up of the truck and a trailer. Trucks are usually coupled with the same
trailer but sometimes trailers are moved to a different truck for part of the year.
Each driver only uses one truck.
(a) Identify two characteristics that make a database unnormalized. [2]
(Option A continues on the following page)
Turn over
–4– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option A, question 3 continued)
The following LORRY table shows information about the lorries.
Truck Truck Energy Driver Tel Trailer Trailer Coupled_ Coupled_
ID make source ID space from to
TK1 Fodel Diesel Pierre 010238397 TR1 60 01/01/18 31/12/18
TK2 Fodel Diesel Elizabeth 010228293 TR2 60 01/01/18 18/06/18
TR9 30 19/06/18 31/07/18
TR2 60 01/08/18 31/12/18
TK3 Viene Diesel Jinyeong 010298491 TR3 60 01/01/18 31/12/18
TK4 Viene Electric Thierry 010238399 TR4 80 01/01/18 31/07/18
TR9 30 01/08/18 31/12/18
TK5 Fodel Diesel Chiho 010238398 TR5 60 01/01/18 31/12/18
TK6 Fodel Diesel Akwete 010233392 TR6 60 01/01/18 31/12/18
TK7 Viene Diesel Chryssy 010238341 TR7 40 01/01/18 31/12/18
TK8 Viene Electric Jacque 010966396 TR9 30 01/01/18 30/05/18
TR8 60 31/05/18 31/12/18
Trailer space is measured in cubic metres.
The table can also be represented as:
LORRY (TruckID, Truckmake, Energysource, Driver, Tel, TrailerID,
Trailerspace, Coupled_from, Coupled_to)
(b) Outline why data redundancy may be a problem in the LORRY table. [2]
The table has been split into two tables following the rules of normalization. The resulting two
tables are shown with the primary key underlined:
LORRY (TruckID, Truckmake, Energysource, Driver, Tel)
TRAILER (TrailerID, Trailerspace, Coupled_from, Coupled_to, TruckID)
(c) Identify the steps to create a query to find the names and telephone numbers of the
drivers who drive lorries that have more than 60 cubic metres of trailer space. [4]
(d) Normalize the database to 3NF. Use the same format as shown, ensuring that primary
keys are clearly indicated by underlining them. [7]
End of Option A
–5– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
Option B — Modelling and simulation
4. Investment planning is something that many people need to be aware of. Planning for your
future requires research because bad choices can be very costly.
Interest paid on money invested is usually in the form of compound interest. The formula to
calculate compound interest is:
T = P * (1 + r)n
T is the total value of the investment,
P is the principal sum invested,
r is the interest rate per time period converted to a decimal (for example, 5 % is 0.05),
n is the number of time periods.
(a) Calculate the total value of the investment after two years if the principal sum of $ 30 000
is invested. The yearly interest rate is 10 % and this rate is compounded at the end of
each year. [2]
An additional $ 1000 is added to a principal amount of $ 30 000 at the end of each month.
The monthly interest rate is 0.5 % and this rate is compounded at the end of each month.
(b) Outline, using a diagram or otherwise, a method of calculating the total value of the
investment after 12 months. [5]
Each month, tax is calculated on the monthly profit at a rate of 25 % when the investment
total (T) is $ 40 000, or below. However, when the investment total (T) is above $ 40 000, the
tax rate is 40 %.
The tax is calculated at the end of each month after interest has been added. A running total
of the tax is kept and only deducted from the investment total (T) at the end of the year.
(c) Construct an algorithm to calculate the fund value at the end of each month. This
algorithm should also calculate the total value of the investment after the tax has been
deducted after 12 months. [6]
Many investment companies offer alternative investment schemes and use modelling to set
the rates of interest.
(d) Explain why the investment company would use modelling when setting the rates
of interest. [4]
(Option B continues on the following page)
Turn over
–6– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option B continued)
5. A supermarket chain has identified four potential locations to build a distribution centre.
The distribution centre will store goods and distribute them to a large number of
supermarkets in the region.
A computer simulation will be run to determine the best location to build the distribution centre.
(a) Outline two reasons for using a computer simulation in this scenario. [4]
(b) (i) Identify two data inputs for this computer simulation model. [2]
(ii) Identify two criteria that may be used to determine the best location to build the
distribution centre. [2]
(iii) Discuss how the simulation model will use the data inputs in (b)(i) and the criteria
identified in (b)(ii) to generate recommendations. [6]
(c) Outline why the use of a computer simulation may not be beneficial. [2]
(Option B continues on the following page)
–7– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option B continued)
6. The QT Railway and QT Highway have recently been built to connect Qinghai with Tibet.
This has made the mountainous region of Tibet accessible to the rest of China.
The endangered Tibetan antelope migrates over 300 km each year to give birth to a single calf.
The QT Railway and QT Highway cross this migration route, see Figure 2.
Figure 2: Map of the study site and habitat of Tibetan antelope
way N
Hoh Xil Nature Reserve igh
d QT H
ilwa y an
Q T Ra To Golmud
Migration
route
Calving ground
Main pasture
Key:
Scale: Railway and highway
To Lhasa 0 100 km Antelopes
[Source: adapted (simplified redraw of the nature reserve data map) from Karina Manayeva, Buho Hoshino, Hiromasa Igota,
Takashi Nakazawa and Ganzorig Sumiya, 2017. Seasonal migration and home ranges of Tibetan antelopes (Pantholops
hodgsonii) based on satellite tracking. Int. J. Zool. Res., 13: 26–37. © 2017 Karina Manayeva et al.]
The building of the QT Railway and QT Highway presents potential dangers to both the
antelopes and the public travelling through this nature reserve.
To understand more about the antelopes’ migration patterns, some antelopes have tracking
devices attached. Using the information from these tracking devices, a 2D visualization
model can be developed and updated in real time.
(a) Identify four items of data that would be included to create the 2D visualization model. [4]
(b) Explain why a 2D visualization model would be used rather than a 3D visualization
model in this scenario. [4]
(c) Explain why the development of a visualization model was necessary in this scenario. [4]
End of Option B
Turn over
–8– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
Option C — Web science
7. OrderYourFoods is an online company that allows customers to order food and get it
delivered to their location. It operates in a number of cities in India.
On the home page of the company’s website www.orderyourfoods.com, the customer has
to enter the city name and the address the food needs to be delivered to. Based on this
information, the website displays a list of restaurants.
(a) (i) State the protocol used in the company’s website. [1]
(ii) Explain the importance of protocols on the World Wide Web. [4]
(b) The website has a pop-up advert that encourages customers to subscribe for discount
offers, see Figure 3.
Figure 3: An example of a pop-up advert
×
Subscribe for Discount Offers
Sign up here to get special offers and discount offers delivered directly to
your inbox
Email address Subscribe
We will not share your information with anyone
(Option C continues on the following page)
–9– N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option C, question 7 continued)
The following code is executed when the customer clicks on the subscribe button.
<? php
$to = '[email protected]';
$from = '$_POST['email']';
$headers = "From: " . $from . "\r\n";
$subject = "New subscription at OrderYourFoods";
$body = "New user subscription: " . $_POST['email'];
if( filter_var($_POST['email'], FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL) )
{
if (mail($to, $subject, $body, $headers, "-f " . $from))
{
echo 'Your e-mail (' . $_POST['email'] . ') has been added to our
mailing list!';
}
else
{
echo 'There was a problem with your e-mail (' . $_POST['email'] . ')';
}
}
?>
(i) State the type of scripting used in the php code. [1]
(ii) State one inbuilt function along with parameters used in the php code. [1]
(iii) Describe the processing that occurs when the subscribe button is clicked. [3]
The website uses the following method to communicate with the potential customers,
see Figure 4.
Figure 4: Banner for OrderYourFoods.com
Contact Oyf Email: [email protected] Cell/Mobile: +2349050449515
OrderYourFoods currently displays an email address and a phone number to show
customers how they can be contacted.
(c) Identify one additional method of online interaction that can be incorporated in
this website. [1]
OrderYourFoods is concerned that it never appears close to the top of the list of search
results when the term “food delivery” is typed into a search engine.
(d) OrderYourFoods has decided to use black hat search engine optimization techniques
to be more visible in search engines.
Evaluate this decision. [5]
(Option C continues on the following page)
Turn over
– 10 – N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option C continued)
8. The IB Coordinator of AB World Academy introduces the Extended Essay to the Grade 11
students in January by researching the difference between primary and secondary data on
the internet.
Some of the students used the Google search engine (Google.com) and others used the Ask
search engine (Ask.com). These search engines gave results.
(a) Define the term search engine. [1]
Google uses the PageRank algorithm and Ask uses the HITS algorithm.
(b) Distinguish between the principles of these two algorithms. [4]
The IB coordinator uploaded the assignments onto a cloud-based Learning Management
Platform.
(c) Describe the difference between cloud computing and local client-server architecture. [3]
As part of their research, students downloaded images from the internet. Most of the
downloaded JPG images were compressed using lossy compression.
(d) (i) State the alternative type of compression to lossy. [1]
(ii) Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages for students of using compressed
images in their IB Coursework. [4]
A PNG image uses open standards.
(e) Distinguish between interoperability and open standards. [2]
9. The growth of the Internet has led to increased levels of collaboration between different
IB World Schools.
(a) Explain why a distributed network such as the World Wide Web may act as a catalyst
to increase the collaboration between different IB World Schools. [3]
The World World Web consisted of over 1350 million web pages in 2017. Each web page is
accessed by typing its uniform resource locator (URL) into the address bar of the browser.
(b) Explain one function of a web browser. [3]
(c) Describe how a domain name server (DNS) functions. [3]
(d) Explain how the use of a distributed network, such as the World Wide Web, may lead
to copyright and intellectual property issues. [5]
End of Option C
– 11 – N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
Option D — Object-oriented programming
To improve customer satisfaction, a supermarket chain wants to create an object-oriented program
(OOP) to simulate the lines of customers at the check-outs in their point of sale (POS) system.
This point of sale (POS) system consists of several check-out counters. After filling their shopping carts
with items, customers line up at one of the check-out counters. In most cases, they wait in line until it is
their turn to pay.
Three real-world objects are implemented using the following classes:
Cart represents a customer together with the items they intend to purchase
POSline represents an individual check-out counter and the line of customers with carts
waiting at that checkout
POSsystem the overall check-out system
The UML diagram for the class POSline is provided below.
POSline
- String id
- boolean active
- Cart[] line
+ constructor
+ Cart getLine(int n) - returns the cart object at position n
… more accessor/mutator methods
+ void joinLine(Cart newCart) - adds a new cart object to the end of the line
+ void checkoutCart() - removes the first cart object in the line
+ Cart leaveLine(int n) - removes and returns the cart object at position n
… more methods
10. (a) State the relationship between the POSsystem and POSline objects. [1]
(b) Draw a diagram to show the relationship between the objects POSsystem, POSline
and Cart. You are not required to draw a complete UML diagram. [2]
(c) Define the term identifier. [1]
(d) Distinguish between a class and an instantiation. You must make reference to the
UML provided. [3]
(Option D continues on the following page)
Turn over
– 12 – N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option D, question 10 continued)
(e) State the code fragment that instantiates an array line of 20 Cart objects. [2]
(f) Construct the method public void joinLine(Cart newCart) that adds a newCart
to line in the next empty array location. You may assume that line is not full. [3]
(g) Construct the method public Cart leaveLine(int n) that removes the cart
at position n from line by shifting down all the array entries bigger than n, before
returning the indicated Cart object. You may assume that a cart exists at position n. [4]
The supermarket chain wants to use this OOP simulation to experiment with different ways of
organizing their check-out system. For example, it is possible to have different check-out
counters such as cash-only or card only, or to have check-out counters for ten items or fewer.
11. (a) Define the term inheritance. [2]
(b) Explain one advantage of the OOP feature “inheritance” with reference to this scenario. [3]
(c) Describe two advantages of using libraries of classes. [4]
It is also possible to have one line that serves a number of check-out counters.
(d) Outline one change needed to the original model to allow this possibility to be
implemented. [2]
(e) Outline two reasons why the use of multiple programming teams in different locations
may be problematic when developing an integrated software solution. [4]
(Option D continues on the following page)
– 13 – N19/4/COMSC/SP2/ENG/TZ0/XX
(Option D continued)
12. When the number of customers in the supermarket is low, some check-out counters will
close. When there are many customers waiting, a new check-out counter will open.
(a) Outline why the variable active in the UML of the class POSline was defined as a
boolean data type. [2]
When a new check-out counter opens, some customers from the nearest line will choose to
move their carts to this check-out counter.
For this simulation, the assumption is made that every second cart in the old line will move to
the new line and the other carts will remain in the original line.
(b) Construct the code for a method split (part of the class POSsystem), that takes an
existing, non-empty POSline as a parameter. It should copy every second cart from
the original line into a new line. Afterwards it should delete every second cart from the
original line.
An example call in POSsystem would be: POSline number2 = split(number1),
where number1 is an existing POSline.
You may use any method declared or developed. [8]
As a result of the simulation, the company has decided to create a new POS system for their
supermarkets.
There have been discussions about adapting existing open source code when developing
modules of the new POS system.
(c) Describe two ethical issues that may arise if modules of the new POS system are
developed from open source code. [4]
End of Option D
