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. Forum
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 newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
The prefix '_____' means a thousand.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.

2. 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
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.

3. Office
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.
In a _____________ LAN - individual computer users share the services of a centralized computer.

4. Cable
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.

5. Keyboard
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.

6. Artificial intelligence
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
Handheld computers and ____s are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.

7. Source
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
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.
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.

8. Math
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).
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
Public key encryption is used to transmit credit card data in secure e-commerce transactions and it is also used for secure ______.
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.

9. Reliability

10. Client/server
In a _____________ LAN - individual computer users share the services of a centralized computer.
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.
Dreamweaver - Macromedia Flash and MS FrontPage are all examples of ___ _____ design software.
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.

11. Building
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
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.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.

12. Images
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.

13. Addresses
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.
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.

14. Wide Area
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).

15. Cycle
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
A modem is a device that sends and receives data over __________ lines to and from computers.
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 _____.

16. Decompression
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
_______________ is used to restore the file to its original condition by replacing the repeated patterns that were removed during file compression.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.

17. Clients
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.

18. Background
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
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.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.

19. Efficiently
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.
By holding down the ctrl - alt - and del keys - ________ OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.

20. Operating
_________ systems were first used in second generation computers.
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___

21. Random
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.
A hard drive - on the other hand - is a _______ access device - which allows it to go directly to the requested data.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.

22. Machine
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.

23. Record
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.
A database index contains a list of keys and each key provides a pointer to the ______ that contains the rest of the fields related to that key.

24. Cursor
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
_____ memory drives plug into the computer's USB ports and have memory capacities of up to several gigabytes.
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.

25. Time
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
Bandwidth is an expression of how much data can be sent through a communications channel in a given amount of ____.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.

26. Period
_______ storage is temporary and holds data waiting to be processed.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
Graphics software is designed to help users manipulate and ______ graphics.
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.

27. Purchases
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
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 ____.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.

28. Credit card
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
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.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.

29. TCP/IP
____ is the communications protocol used by your browser to connect with web servers and display web pages on your computer.
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.
FTP can be used on any _______ network such as a LAN or the Internet and is compatible with any operating system.

30. Processes
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
System software includes device drivers - utility programs - and the __________ system.

31. Design
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.

32. Dashboard
The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer __________ and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.

33. Debugger
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.

34. Server
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.

35. Access
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
Screening job applicants and limiting employee ______ to only information needed to do a specific job are examples of people controls.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.

36. Operating system
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.

37. Security
A service pack is a collection of Microsoft files for ________ improvements - bug fixes - and software updates.
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.

38. Software
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.

39. Motherboard
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.

40. Organize
Personal computers are also called ______________.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.

41. Real world

42. Off
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.
Common platforms include Apple Macintosh - ________ platforms and PC platforms.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.

43. Domain name

44. Fiber optic
In recent years - antivirus software has been one of the most popular categories of _______ software.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.

45. Stress
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.
RSI (Repetitive _______ Injury) affects tendons - muscles and nerves in the hands - wrists - arms and shoulders.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.

46. Structured
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.

47. Implementation
The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer __________ and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
System ______________ involves converting files - software and hardware to the new system.

48. Application
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
Software designed to solve a specific problem is called ___________ software.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
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.

49. Function
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.

50. Decode
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.