a. (i) Direct access storage device is a device that allows for fast, random access to data regardless of the sequence or order in which they are stored.

     (ii) Advantages of direct access device

• It has high data transfer speed.
• It has high storage capacity.
• Data can be accessed or addressed directly.
• Access time is relatively short.
• Data can be added or deleted quite easily.
• It is cost effective (inexpensive).
• It is relatively simple to set-up and manage requiring little technical skills.
• It can be very reliable when the host computer is functioning, offering high speed data access.

Disadvantages of direct access devices

• Storage devices are quite expensive.
• Data may be accidentally erased or overwritten.
• It is normally difficult to locate over-flow record on the media.
• Its capacity is fixed in that adding more storage often requires adding more hard drives.
• Lack of data sharing; only the host computer can access the device.
• If the host computer fails, the storage may be inaccessible.
• The device can be vulnerable to data loss if the host computer fails without proper backup measures.
• Limited capacity and poor scalability makes it unsuitable for large enterprise.

    (iii) Purposes of secondary storage unit in a computer system

• Maintains a permanent store of data and programs, when not being used by the computer.
• Maintains a store for the program and data currently being used if main memory is not large enough to hold the entire data and program.
• Serves as a backup of data held in the main memory.
• Acts as a secondary input output device when the input is in magnetic form or output is required in a magnetic form.
• It stores a larger volume of data in that it has a very high-volume capacity.

b. Pointing devices used as input

i. Mouse

ii. Joystick

iii. Track ball

iv. Touch screen

v. Light pen

vi. Touch pad

vii. Computer mice etc

viii. Stylus

ix. Pointing stick

x. Graphics tablets

c. Factors/features to be considered when acquiring a printer

i. Speed of the printer

ii. Quality of output from the printer

iii. Range of print fonts

iv. Graphic capabilities

v. Cost of purchase of the printer

vi. Cost of operation of the printer

vii. Associated noise level.

viii. Intended usage (documents, photos, graphics or mix)

ix. Printer connectivity (wi-fi, Bluetooth or USB etc)

x. Functions to be performed by the printer (single or multi-function)

xi. Paper handling (paper capacity and its ability to handle different paper sizes)

xii. Size and space to be occupied by the printer

xiii. Warranty and support

xiv. Printer maintenance

xv. post-purchase support.

d (i) Sources of Application packages

 Mail order from computer magazines and dairies

 Manufacturers of computers who also develop software

 Software houses which develop software

 Computer bureau and information centres

 Private organisations and institutions that develop software and made available to users for a fee

 Bulletin board on the internet

 In- house programmers that develop software as their official job routines

 Software piracy

 Software lease.

 Computer vendors

 Information technology firms

 Open source software

 Cloud-based software

 Subscription-based software

 Apps stores/software stores

 Online software repositories

 Direct download from developers

e. (ii) Operations performed by utility software

 File conversion from one medium to another

 File copy

 File re-organisation

 File maintenance

 Sorting in form of arranging a set of records into a certain order

 Data backup and restoration

 Disk management

 Task scheduling

 Virus detection and removal

 Firewalls

 System monitoring

 Error detection and correction

 Software installation and removal