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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. Preformatted
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer __________ and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.

2. Expert system
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.

3. Keyboard
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.

4. Multiply
Financial software allows users to track income and expenses - manage __________ - create reports - and record tax information.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
NAP stands for ________________ Point.

5. Companies
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.

6. Icons
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.

7. Key
A modem is a device that sends and receives data over __________ lines to and from computers.
To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data - you encrypt data when you send it and this data is decrypted by its authorized recipient using an encryption ____.
POS (______ __ _______) terminals are computer-based devices or systems that allow the merchant to process credit cards - track customer purchase habits - and manage inventory.
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.

8. Run
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
Many common viruses attach themselves to an existing executable program - and when that program is copied to and ____ on other computers - the virus infects those computers.
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.

9. Configuration
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.
CSMA/CD is the Ethernet protocol that handles __________.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.

10. Transistors
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
A program that ______ itself repeatedly on to the computer's hard disk or into the computer's memory is called a worm.

11. Desk checking
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
Reading through a program to make sure it is logical and free of errors is called _____ ________.

12. Binary
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.

13. Machine
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
___________ and security are MS Windows' two major weaknesses.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.

14. Bits
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.

15. Building
The JPEG graphics format has built-in _____________ that can be adjusted by the user.
This can also be called a _____ key - index - or keyword. Most database applications allow for multiple keys so that users can sort records in different ways.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.

16. Peripheral
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.

17. Period
Plaintext is also called __________.
________ ________ plan and implement new or improved computer services.
Examples of information managed by ____ software include addresses - phone numbers - appointments - and to-do lists.
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.

18. Cookies
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.

19. Real world

20. Instrument
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.
A _________ is a limited working system - developed to test design concepts.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.
Critics of certification exams maintain that a multiple choice test can't accurately measure a person's ability to deal with _____ ______ software and equipment.

21. Project management
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
The prefix '____' means a million.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.

22. Peripheral
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.
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.
_________ is the process of moving up - down - or sideways through the text or other screen display.

23. Divide

24. Fil
ISPs are connected to the internet backbone via a ___.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
In programming - a _________ is a prewritten module designed for a specific task.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.

25. Transistors
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.

26. Value
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.

27. Network Access
NAP stands for ________________ Point.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.

28. Employment
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
Examples of cache include L1 - L2 - and L3. In all cases - cache is storage located closer to the processor than RAM and therefore can be accessed much more ________.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
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.

29. Kilobyte
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
When you click the link - it takes you to a site that looks just like Paypal; you enter your login information on this fake site and now the _________ have your username and password.
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.

30. Digital
The columns are called _______.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.

31. CPU
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.

32. Work
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.

33. Cars
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
Early computers stored ____ for calculations and programs on punched cards.

34. Intruders
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).
______ data can be represented as a wave.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.

35. Remote
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
Examples of cache include L1 - L2 - and L3. In all cases - cache is storage located closer to the processor than RAM and therefore can be accessed much more ________.

36. Before
For example - the largest number an 8-bit variable can hold is ____ (2 to the power of 8 equals 256 - but a computer starts at 0 - so it can express anywhere from 0 through 255).
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.

37. WRITE
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.
Output is the result of ___________.
Examples of keywords include READ - ______ - IF - and THEN
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.

38. LAN
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
The number of bits limits how big of a number can be expressed. To calculate this limit - simply do 2n - where n is the number of ____.

39. Word

40. Binary
RAM - which stands for Random Access Memory - stores __________ data which is waiting to be stored - processed - or output - and this data is lost if the computer is turned off.
POS (______ __ _______) terminals are computer-based devices or systems that allow the merchant to process credit cards - track customer purchase habits - and manage inventory.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
A unit of measure equaling one ______ digit is a bit.

41. Debugging
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
Primary storage - also known as RAM or _______ - is temporary data held in computer circuitry.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.

42. Com
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
Screening job applicants and limiting employee ______ to only information needed to do a specific job are examples of people controls.

43. 64
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.

44. Multimedia
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
Passwords are often encrypted using a hash function - which is a function that takes a string of characters of any length and converts it into a string of a ________ length.
The CPU consists of the control unit - the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) and the _________ (high speed storage areas).

45. Compiler
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.

46. Design
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
Each connection _____ on a network is called a node.
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.

47. Internet
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.

48. Bus
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
The goal is to overload the target server or network by suddenly bombarding it with thousands or even millions of _________ - making it unable to respond to requests from legitimate users.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.

49. Record
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
A collection of fields make up a _______.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.

50. Network
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.
On the job choices that reflect a person's values are called ____________ ethics.
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.