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. Hyperlinks
__________ appear as colored or underlined words on a webpag
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
The prefix '_____' means a thousand.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.

2. Analog
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.
______ data can be represented as a wave.
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.

3. Copies

4. Design
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).

5. CPU
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.

6. Avatars
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
_______ are computer depictions of humans often found in computer games and training software.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.

7. Data
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.
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.
When talking about personal computers - the CPU (________ Processing Unit) is synonymous with the silicon chip known as the microprocessor - which is programmed to perform various tasks on the data it receives.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.

8. Format
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.

9. Instrument
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.
____ is a graphics file format used on both PCs and Macs for high quality printable files.

10. Kilo

11. Direction
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.
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.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.

12. Real world

13. Voice
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.
The ____ is a set of instructions contained in ROM that tell the computer how to find the operating system and load it into RAM.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.

14. Organize
The opposite of a variable is a _________ - which is a factor that remains the same throughout the program.
_______________ is used to restore the file to its original condition by replacing the repeated patterns that were removed during file compression.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
Transmission is limited to ______ range.

15. Word

16. Purchases
System software includes device drivers - utility programs - and the __________ 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.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.

17. Sequential
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).

18. Disk drive
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
Primary storage - also known as RAM or _______ - is temporary data held in computer circuitry.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.

19. Credit card
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.

20. Restore
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.

21. Location
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.

22. Former
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
Examples of information managed by ____ software include addresses - phone numbers - appointments - and to-do lists.

23. CPU
_________ authentication devices verify a person's identity using the person's physical characteristics.
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.
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.

24. Machine
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.

25. Permanently
The columns are called _______.
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.
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.
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.

26. Icons
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.

27. Short
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
Transmission is limited to ______ range.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.

28. Checkbooks
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
Financial software allows users to track income and expenses - manage __________ - create reports - and record tax information.

29. Numeric
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.

30. Wozniak
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
When a file is saved to disk - it isn't always saved in adjacent sectors; in other words - the data making up the file is spread out over the hard drive. This is called fragmentation. Fragmentation _____ ______ file retrieval.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.

31. Digital
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
_______ are computer depictions of humans often found in computer games and training software.
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.

32. Letters
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.
Examples of OOP languages include C++ and _____.

33. Instruction
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.

34. File names
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.

35. Word wrap
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
_____ ____ is a special feature that automatically continues text on the next line when the user reaches the right margin.
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.

36. MB
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.

37. Partition
_______ are computer depictions of humans often found in computer games and training software.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.

38. Byte
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
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.
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.

39. Background
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.
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.

40. Text
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
Random access storage devices are able to go _____ to the requested data
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.

41. Organize
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.

42. Hypertext Transfer
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.

43. Secondary
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.

44. Hub
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.

45. Operating System
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
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.
Random access storage devices are able to go _____ to the requested data

46. Group
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.

47. Routes
The TCP/IP protocol breaks data up into packets - which are fixed-length blocks of data - for transmission over the network. This permits the message to be broken up into small parts which are then transmitted over separate _______ and yet all end up
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
Examples of information managed by ____ software include addresses - phone numbers - appointments - and to-do lists.

48. Bell
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.

49. Standalone
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
Output is the result of ___________.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.

50. Fourth
A what-if analysis allows a user to change the contents of a spreadsheet cell and find out how that would change the _______ of the calculation.
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 ____.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.