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. Printed
A program that ______ itself repeatedly on to the computer's hard disk or into the computer's memory is called a worm.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
A hard drive - on the other hand - is a _______ access device - which allows it to go directly to the requested data.

2. GUI
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.

3. Service Provider
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.
EarthLink - AT&T - and Road Runner are all examples of ISPs (Internet __________________).
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.

4. Files
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
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 browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.

5. Whistleblowers
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
_________ is the process of moving up - down - or sideways through the text or other screen display.
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.

6. Changed
The prefix '_____' means a thousand.
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.

7. Copies

8. Hash
One use of an intranet is to allow employees to access and exchange company _____ needed to do their jobs.
___________ programming rules are called syntax.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.

9. Network interface
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.

10. Transistors
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
The central computer is called a ____.

11. Access
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
Critics of certification exams maintain that a multiple choice test can't accurately measure a person's ability to deal with _____ ______ software and equipment.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.

12. Run
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
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.
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.

13. Scheduling
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
By holding down the ctrl - alt - and del keys - ________ OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.
Pirated software can be ___________ from the web - illegally copied by a friend - or purchased in a foreign country.

14. Hard
One reason a tape drive takes longer to access data than a ____ drive is that tape drives use sequential access.
Graphics software is designed to help users manipulate and ______ graphics.
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.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.

15. Restore
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.

16. Clients
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.
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.

17. Employment
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.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
The software that controls the search of the expert system's knowledge base and produces a conclusion is called the _________ engine.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.

18. Raw
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.

19. Java
Examples of OOP languages include C++ and _____.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
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 ________.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.

20. Transmit
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
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.

21. Byte
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.

22. Millisecond
Cache speeds up _________.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
__________ appear as colored or underlined words on a webpag
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.

23. Records
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.

24. Radiation
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.

25. Compression
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
The JPEG graphics format has built-in _____________ that can be adjusted by the user.

26. Protocol
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.

27. Keystroke
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.

28. Volatile
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.
A wizard is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to _____ the user through a task.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.

29. Formula
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.
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.

30. Real world

31. Solved
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Plaintext is also called __________.
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.

32. Filename

33. Flash drives
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
System software includes device drivers - utility programs - and the __________ system.
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.

34. Buffer
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.

35. One
The ALU is an area of the CPU optimized to handle _____ calculations (i.e. Add and Subtract) as well as logic comparisons (i.e. AND - NOT - and OR).
The columns are called _______.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.

36. Desktop

37. Numeric
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.

38. Com
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.

39. Apple I
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.

40. Work
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
Random access storage devices are able to go _____ to the requested data

41. Operating
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.
System software includes device drivers - utility programs - and the __________ system.
Dreamweaver - Macromedia Flash and MS FrontPage are all examples of ___ _____ design software.

42. Text
The public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.
System ______________ involves converting files - software and hardware to the new system.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.

43. Supercomputers
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
______________ are the most expensive and fastest computers available.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).

44. RSI
Critics of certification exams maintain that a multiple choice test can't accurately measure a person's ability to deal with _____ ______ software and equipment.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.

45. Two
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.

46. Project management
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
Transmission is limited to ______ range.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.

47. Input/Output
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
When an employee uses their employer's computer time for non-work activities - this is called theft of time and ________.

48. Tape drive
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
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.

49. Central
With a relational database - users _____ records to locate and display them.
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 data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
The prefix '_____' means a thousand.

50. Settings
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.
____ is used by copyright holders to prevent piracy of their products but can be inconvenient to legitimate users.
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.