Test your basic knowledge |

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. Hash
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
Reading through a program to make sure it is logical and free of errors is called _____ ________.

2. Divide

3. Connection
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.
If a program exceeds its available RAM - the _________ _________ can use an area of hard disk called virtual memory to store parts of data files or programs until needed - thereby gaining almost unlimited memory capacity.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.

4. Processor
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.
If a program exceeds its available RAM - the _________ _________ can use an area of hard disk called virtual memory to store parts of data files or programs until needed - thereby gaining almost unlimited memory capacity.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.

5. VPNs
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.

6. Drivers
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.
A _______ computer that holds a collection of data and/or applications for providing services to workstations or PCs is called a server.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.

7. NAP
Trojan horses can also carry ________ and destructive instructions.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
ISPs are connected to the internet backbone via a ___.
__________ appear as colored or underlined words on a webpag

8. Business
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.

9. One
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
NAP stands for ________________ Point.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.

10. Supervisor
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.

11. Telephone
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.
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.
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds - a programmer from ________.

12. Design
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
Memory - a programmable processor - an output device - and user-defined input were all concepts Babbage conceived for a calculating device he called a ___________ Engine in 1834.
A _____ _____ is an example of a sequential access device; it retrieves data by starting at the beginning of the tape and reading each record until the required data is found.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.

13. Random
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.
A hard drive - on the other hand - is a _______ access device - which allows it to go directly to the requested data.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.

14. Apple I
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
An advantage of a network is that it allows for the sharing of ___________ devices; users on a network can share devices such as printers and modems.
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.

15. Administrators
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.

16. Mega

17. System
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.
With a relational database - users _____ records to locate and display them.

18. Squiggly
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.
Cache speeds up _________.

19. Private

20. MYCIN
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________

21. Radiation
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.
In a star network - all computers are connected to a _______ computer.

22. Cycle
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
Examples of OOP languages include C++ and _____.
The series of events which takes place in a set order and at specified intervals - that occurs when the processor retrieves an instruction from storage and executes it - is called the instruction _____.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.

23. Third
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
A desktop ______ appears on the computer desktop and is a specialized utility that looks like a control and displays information.

24. Prototype
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
A _________ is a limited working system - developed to test design concepts.
EarthLink - AT&T - and Road Runner are all examples of ISPs (Internet __________________).

25. Operating system
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.

26. Viruses
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.
Plaintext is also called __________.
They are small programs which run in the ___________ and are used by devices such as modems - storage devices - mice - keyboards - monitors - printers - sound cards - network cards.
In a star network - all computers are connected to a _______ computer.

27. Lost
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
________ ________ plan and implement new or improved computer services.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.

28. RSI
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.

29. 64
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.

30. DRM
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
____ is used by copyright holders to prevent piracy of their products but can be inconvenient to legitimate users.
When an employee uses their employer's computer time for non-work activities - this is called theft of time and ________.

31. High level
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.

32. Modem
A _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.

33. Overheat
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.
Overclocking is popular with computer gamers but can be dangerous as components may _________ and be damaged or catch fire.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.

34. Network
In recent years - antivirus software has been one of the most popular categories of _______ software.
A modem is a device that sends and receives data over __________ lines to and from computers.
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.

35. Internet
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
ISPs are connected to the internet backbone via a ___.
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.

36. Binary
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
The primary key could be a unique series of numbers or characters; it doesn't have to be meaningful--just _______.
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.

37. Services

38. Monitors
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.

39. Programmable
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.
Graphics software is designed to help users manipulate and ______ graphics.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.

40. Proprietary
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.

41. Images
The prefix '____' means a million.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.

42. Solaris
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.

43. KB
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.
A kilobyte is generally abbreviated as __.

44. Prices
Companies do this to keep _______ low.
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.

45. Insertion
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
Software designed to solve a specific problem is called ___________ software.
Examples of OOP languages include C++ and _____.

46. Email
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
The public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.

47. OOP
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.

48. Binary
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
A unit of measure equaling one ______ digit is a bit.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
A program or instruction book that helps users learn how to use a product by taking the user through a series of _____ is called a tutorial.

49. Employment
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________
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.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.

50. Hub
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.