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DSST Introduction To Computing

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. Phased
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.
With a ______ implementation - parts of the new system are implemented separately.

2. Kilobyte
The public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.
FTP can be used on any _______ network such as a LAN or the Internet and is compatible with any operating system.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.

3. Input/Output
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.

4. Structured
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
A computer's ____ size is the number of bits that the processor may process at any one time.
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.

5. Primary
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.

6. Cursor
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.

7. Recorded
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.

8. Processes
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
A service pack is a collection of Microsoft files for ________ improvements - bug fixes - and software updates.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.

9. Windows
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.

10. Column
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.

11. MB
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.

12. Text
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
_______ storage is temporary and holds data waiting to be processed.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.

13. Calculations
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
Public key encryption is used to transmit credit card data in secure e-commerce transactions and it is also used for secure ______.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.

14. Group
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
Common platforms include Apple Macintosh - ________ platforms and PC platforms.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.

15. Data
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.

16. Sequentially
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.

17. Timeline
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.

18. Modem
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
A _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.
Overclocking is popular with computer gamers but can be dangerous as components may _________ and be damaged or catch fire.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.

19. Recalculation
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.

20. Supervisor
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.

21. Decode
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.

22. Server
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.

23. Communications
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.

24. Copied
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.

25. Bits per second
One reason a tape drive takes longer to access data than a ____ drive is that tape drives use sequential access.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.

26. CIO
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.

27. VPNs
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.

28. Compression
The JPEG graphics format has built-in _____________ that can be adjusted by the user.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.

29. Debugging
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
RSI (Repetitive _______ Injury) affects tendons - muscles and nerves in the hands - wrists - arms and shoulders.

30. Reliable
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
To convert from word size to bytes - you must ______ by 8 because there are 8 bits in a byte. Therefore - when we're dealing with a 64 bit word size - we divide by 8 and the result is 8 bytes.
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.

31. LAN
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
Handheld computers and ____s are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip.
An organization that provides internet access is called an ___.

32. Standalone
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.

33. Unique

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34. Lost
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.

35. Drivers
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
The columns are called _______.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.

36. Compiler
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.

37. Windows

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38. Record
A collection of fields make up a _______.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
___________ and security are MS Windows' two major weaknesses.

39. Cannot
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
A collection of fields make up a _______.
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.

40. Syntax
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.

41. Off
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.
In a _____________ LAN - individual computer users share the services of a centralized computer.
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.

42. Text
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
_______________ is used to restore the file to its original condition by replacing the repeated patterns that were removed during file compression.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.

43. Monitors
Transmission is limited to ______ range.
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.

44. Point of Sale
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
POS (______ __ _______) terminals are computer-based devices or systems that allow the merchant to process credit cards - track customer purchase habits - and manage inventory.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.

45. Open source
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.

46. Machine
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.

47. GUI
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
A modem is a device that sends and receives data over __________ lines to and from computers.
The desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.

48. 64
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.

49. 10
In everyday life - we generally use a base ___ system - meaning that we have 10 digits to choose from when we are expressing a number (i.e. 0 through 9).
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.

50. Solaris
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.
A job search agent is an automated program that searches one or more __________ databases and notifies you when it finds leads that match your search criteria.