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. Remarks
System ______________ involves converting files - software and hardware to the new system.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.

2. Data
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.

3. Processes
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.
Trojan horses can also carry ________ and destructive instructions.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.

4. Charles Babbage
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
In recent years - antivirus software has been one of the most popular categories of _______ software.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.

5. Command line
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
In a star network - all computers are connected to a _______ computer.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.

6. File names
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.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
The desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.

7. Processes
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.

8. Standalone
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
A _______ __________ plan is used to restore information technology functions after operations have been interrupted by an event such as a hurricane.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.

9. WAN
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
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.
The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.

10. Drivers
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.

11. Certification
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.

12. Central
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.
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.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.

13. Fourth
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
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.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.

14. Inference

15. Device
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.
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
Screening job applicants and limiting employee ______ to only information needed to do a specific job are examples of people controls.

16. Viruses
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
One use of an intranet is to allow employees to access and exchange company _____ needed to do their jobs.
Reading through a program to make sure it is logical and free of errors is called _____ ________.

17. Security
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
__________ is widely supported by web browsers and adds interactive functions to HTML pages.

18. Images
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.

19. Project management
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
_______________ are politically motivated hackers who attack computer systems intending to cause large scale physical or financial harm.
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.

20. Source
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.

21. Machine
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
_____ ____ is a special feature that automatically continues text on the next line when the user reaches the right margin.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.

22. Organize
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
_____ ____ is a special feature that automatically continues text on the next line when the user reaches the right margin.

23. Cycle
Primary storage - also known as RAM or _______ - is temporary data held in computer circuitry.
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 _____.
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.

24. Sequential
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.

25. Beta
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___

26. Sender's

27. Clients
Plaintext is also called __________.
Early computers stored ____ for calculations and programs on punched cards.
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.

28. Fraud
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.

29. Windows

30. Collisions
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
CSMA/CD is the Ethernet protocol that handles __________.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.

31. Top
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.

32. Instructions
The columns are called _______.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.

33. Apple I
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
On the job choices that reflect a person's values are called ____________ ethics.
A unit of measure equaling one ______ digit is a bit.

34. Repeat
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.

35. Dashboard
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
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 firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.

36. Debugger
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
Overclocking is popular with computer gamers but can be dangerous as components may _________ and be damaged or catch fire.
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.

37. Processors
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.

38. Monitors
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.

39. Text
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.

40. Intruders
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.

41. SQL
Paint - photo _______ - and drawing software are all examples of graphics software.
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.

42. Defragmentation
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
Random access storage devices are able to go _____ to the requested data
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.

43. Flowchart
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.

44. Restore
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.

45. 255
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
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).
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.

46. Communications
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.

47. Records
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
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 ____.
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.

48. Primary
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.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.

49. Office
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
Examples of OOP languages include C++ and _____.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.
The ____ is a set of instructions contained in ROM that tell the computer how to find the operating system and load it into RAM.

50. Networking
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.