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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. Constant
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.
The opposite of a variable is a _________ - which is a factor that remains the same throughout the program.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.

2. Spreadsheet
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.

3. Overheat
Overclocking is popular with computer gamers but can be dangerous as components may _________ and be damaged or catch fire.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.
_______________ is used to restore the file to its original condition by replacing the repeated patterns that were removed during file compression.

4. Math
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.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
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).
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.

5. Memory
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
The prefix '____' means a million.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.

6. Buffer
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.

7. Fil
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.

8. Structured
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.
A program or instruction book that helps users learn how to use a product by taking the user through a series of _____ is called a tutorial.

9. URL
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.

10. Primary
_______ storage is temporary and holds data waiting to be processed.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.

11. Click
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
______ data can be represented as a wave.

12. Sequential
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
FTP can be used on any _______ network such as a LAN or the Internet and is compatible with any operating system.
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 a relational database - users _____ records to locate and display them.

13. Peripheral
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.

14. Organize
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.

15. Publisher
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.

16. Filename

17. Beta
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.

18. Research
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
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 _____.

19. Building
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
Public key encryption is used to transmit credit card data in secure e-commerce transactions and it is also used for secure ______.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.

20. MB
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.

21. Spelling
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.
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.
_______________ are politically motivated hackers who attack computer systems intending to cause large scale physical or financial harm.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.

22. Key
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
The central computer is called a ____.
FTP can be used on any _______ network such as a LAN or the Internet and is compatible with any operating system.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.

23. Calculations
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.

24. Radiation
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.

25. Data
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
Critics of certification exams maintain that a multiple choice test can't accurately measure a person's ability to deal with _____ ______ software and equipment.
Early computers stored ____ for calculations and programs on punched cards.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.

26. Settings
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.

27. Switching
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.

28. Ergonomics
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.
Output is the result of ___________.
__________ is the study of safe and efficient work environments.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.

29. DRM
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.
____ is used by copyright holders to prevent piracy of their products but can be inconvenient to legitimate users.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.

30. Kilobyte
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.

31. Partition
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.

32. Outsourcing
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.

33. Restore
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.

34. Disaster recovery
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
A _______ __________ plan is used to restore information technology functions after operations have been interrupted by an event such as a hurricane.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.

35. RSI
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.
Pirated software can be ___________ from the web - illegally copied by a friend - or purchased in a foreign country.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
In recent years - antivirus software has been one of the most popular categories of _______ software.

36. Tape drive
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.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.

37. Instruction
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.
Examples of information managed by ____ software include addresses - phone numbers - appointments - and to-do lists.

38. Web page
Dreamweaver - Macromedia Flash and MS FrontPage are all examples of ___ _____ design software.
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.

39. Encrypted
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.

40. Miniatures
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.

41. Billion
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.
The columns are called _______.
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.

42. Cookies
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.

43. Voice
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.
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.

44. Storage
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.

45. Spammers
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
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.
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.

46. Temporary
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.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.

47. Reliability

48. Keyboard
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
Critics of certification exams maintain that a multiple choice test can't accurately measure a person's ability to deal with _____ ______ software and equipment.

49. Flight
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.

50. Text
When you click the link - it takes you to a site that looks just like Paypal; you enter your login information on this fake site and now the _________ have your username and password.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.