Practice B2.5 File processing with authentic IB Computer Science (First Exam 2027) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like programming concepts, algorithms, and data structures. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
State what is meant by "file buffering" in computer systems.
Explain how file buffering improves performance and describe the trade-offs involved in different buffer sizes.
A data logging application writes sensor readings to a file every few seconds continuously for days. Analyse how buffering strategies would affect both performance and data integrity for this application.
State what is meant by "file compression" in data storage.
Distinguish between lossless and lossy compression techniques, providing examples of when each would be appropriate.
A medical imaging system stores thousands of X-ray images that must maintain perfect quality for diagnostic purposes but also needs to manage storage costs. Analyse which compression approach would be most suitable and justify your reasoning.
Define what is meant by "file synchronization" in distributed systems.
Explain the challenges involved in keeping files synchronized across multiple locations and describe potential solutions.
A collaborative document editing system allows multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously from different locations. Analyse the file synchronization challenges this creates and explain how conflicts might be resolved.
Define what is meant by "file formats" in data storage.
Compare structured file formats (like CSV) with unstructured file formats in terms of data organization and processing requirements.
A research team needs to share experimental data between different software applications and research institutions. Evaluate whether a structured or unstructured file format would be more appropriate, considering interoperability and data analysis requirements.
Define what is meant by "file handles" or "file pointers" in programming.
Describe the typical sequence of operations required for file processing and explain why each step is necessary.
A program that processes customer orders crashes unexpectedly while writing to an order file. Explain the potential consequences if proper file handling procedures were not followed and describe how these issues could be prevented.
Define what is meant by "file permissions" or "file security" in operating systems.
Describe the different types of file permissions typically available and explain how they control access to file operations.
A hospital database contains patient medical records stored in files. Explain why implementing proper file permissions is critical for this application and describe what types of access controls would be necessary.
State what is meant by "file system organization" in operating systems.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of hierarchical file systems compared to flat file systems.
A university needs to organize thousands of research papers, student submissions, and administrative documents. The files need to be easily searchable by department, year, and document type. Evaluate how hierarchical organization would benefit this scenario and describe an effective folder structure.
State what is meant by "file backup and recovery" in data management.
Compare different backup strategies (full, incremental, differential) in terms of storage requirements and recovery time.
A small business runs an e-commerce website with a product database that changes frequently throughout the day. Customers expect 24/7 availability. Analyse which backup strategy would be most appropriate and explain the considerations involved.
Define what is meant by "file processing" in computer science.
Explain the difference between text files and binary files, describing the advantages and disadvantages of each format.
A school needs to store student records containing names, grades, and attendance data. Analyse whether text files or binary files would be more appropriate for this application, considering both human readability and storage efficiency.
State what is meant by "file access modes" in programming.
Compare sequential file access with random file access in terms of how data is retrieved and their typical use cases.
A music streaming service needs to access song files for playback. Users may skip to any point in a song or jump between different songs. Justify which file access method would be more suitable and explain the reasoning.