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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. Cycle
A _______ __________ plan is used to restore information technology functions after operations have been interrupted by an event such as a hurricane.
_________ authentication devices verify a person's identity using the person's physical characteristics.
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 _____.

2. Background
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
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
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.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.

3. Machine
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
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.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.

4. Copied
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.

5. BIOS
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.
The ____ is a set of instructions contained in ROM that tell the computer how to find the operating system and load it into RAM.
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.

6. Bit
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.

7. Input/Output
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.

8. Organize
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.

9. Decode
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
_____ memory drives plug into the computer's USB ports and have memory capacities of up to several gigabytes.

10. 1971
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
The columns are called _______.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.

11. Algorithm
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.

12. Changed
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.

13. Volatile
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.

14. Reliable
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
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.

15. Processor
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.

16. Motherboard
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
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 main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.

17. Buffer
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.

18. RSI
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.

19. Central
Financial software allows users to track income and expenses - manage __________ - create reports - and record tax information.
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.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
Open source software projects promote user modification - peer review - _____ distribution - and copying.

20. Bits
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
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 ____.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.

21. Instruction
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.

22. Slide show
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.

23. Millisecond
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.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.

24. Run
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
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.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.

25. Nonvolatile
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.

26. Icons
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.

27. Database
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.

28. Clients
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.

29. Intruders
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.

30. Images
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
In a _____________ LAN - individual computer users share the services of a centralized computer.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.

31. Group
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
_________ is the process of moving up - down - or sideways through the text or other screen display.

32. Hub
The central computer is called a ____.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.

33. Windows
Common platforms include Apple Macintosh - ________ platforms and PC platforms.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).

34. Insertion
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
Bandwidth is an expression of how much data can be sent through a communications channel in a given amount of ____.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.

35. Hardware
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.

36. Desktop

37. Remarks
A wizard is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to _____ the user through a task.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).

38. Manipulation
__________ is widely supported by web browsers and adds interactive functions to HTML pages.
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.

39. Numeric
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
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.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.

40. Math
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
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).
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.

41. Com
When an employee uses their employer's computer time for non-work activities - this is called theft of time and ________.
Examples of keywords include READ - ______ - IF - and THEN
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___

42. Produced
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
The prefix '____' means a million.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.

43. Million
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
Cache speeds up _________.

44. Prototype
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.
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
A _________ is a limited working system - developed to test design concepts.

45. Cells
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.
Values are the actual numbers or dates entered into ______.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.
__________ appear as colored or underlined words on a webpag

46. 10
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
In everyday life - we generally use a base ___ system - meaning that we have 10 digits to choose from when we are expressing a number (i.e. 0 through 9).
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
Fiber optic cable consists of dozens or hundreds of thin strands of ______ or plastic; it is more secure and can carry much more data than normal copper telephone wire.

47. Clip art
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
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.
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.

48. Spelling
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.

49. NAP
Paint - photo _______ - and drawing software are all examples of graphics software.
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
ISPs are connected to the internet backbone via a ___.

50. Unique