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. Timeline
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.

2. Internet
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
The hub prevents packet collisions - but if the hub goes down the _____ stops.
___________ programming rules are called syntax.

3. Compiler
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
By holding down the ctrl - alt - and del keys - ________ OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.

4. Com
Financial software allows users to track income and expenses - manage __________ - create reports - and record tax information.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.

5. Gateways
Overclocking is popular with computer gamers but can be dangerous as components may _________ and be damaged or catch fire.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.

6. 255
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).
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 cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
Primary storage - also known as RAM or _______ - is temporary data held in computer circuitry.

7. Fourth
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
Companies do this to keep _______ low.
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.

8. Chief Information
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.

9. Before
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.

10. Artificial intelligence
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.

11. Debugging
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
The public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.
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.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.

12. Transistors
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
In recent years - antivirus software has been one of the most popular categories of _______ software.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
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 _____.

13. Drivers
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.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.
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.

14. Collisions
CSMA/CD is the Ethernet protocol that handles __________.
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.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.

15. Cars
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
Primary storage - also known as RAM or _______ - is temporary data held in computer circuitry.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.

16. Key
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
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 ____.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.

17. 10
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
______ data can be represented as a wave.
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).

18. Architecture
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.
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.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.

19. Peripheral
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
__________ is widely supported by web browsers and adds interactive functions to HTML pages.

20. Memory

21. Hard
One reason a tape drive takes longer to access data than a ____ drive is that tape drives use sequential access.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.

22. Reliable
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.

23. OOP
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.

24. Low level
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.

25. File names
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
The columns are called _______.

26. Fil
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.

27. Input/Output
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
____ is the communications protocol used by your browser to connect with web servers and display web pages on your computer.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.

28. Expansion
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.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.
____ is a graphics file format used on both PCs and Macs for high quality printable files.
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.

29. 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.
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.

30. Wide Area
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.

31. Shortcut
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.

32. Research
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
__________ is the study of safe and efficient work environments.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.

33. Records
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.

34. Repeat
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
A computer's ____ size is the number of bits that the processor may process at any one time.

35. Processes
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.

36. POS
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
_______ storage is temporary and holds data waiting to be processed.
____ is the communications protocol used by your browser to connect with web servers and display web pages on your computer.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.

37. Cannot
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
A collection of fields make up a _______.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.

38. Formula
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
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.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.

39. Scheduling
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.

40. Operating system
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.
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.
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.

41. Kilo

42. Bulletin board
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
The columns are called _______.

43. Action
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.

44. Flash drives
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
Common platforms include Apple Macintosh - ________ platforms and PC platforms.

45. Bits
Trojan horses can also carry ________ and destructive instructions.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.
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 ____.

46. CPU
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.

47. Scrolling
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
_________ is the process of moving up - down - or sideways through the text or other screen display.
The primary key could be a unique series of numbers or characters; it doesn't have to be meaningful--just _______.
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.

48. URL
____ is used by copyright holders to prevent piracy of their products but can be inconvenient to legitimate users.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.

49. Digital
Primary storage - also known as RAM or _______ - is temporary data held in computer circuitry.
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
The JPEG graphics format has built-in _____________ that can be adjusted by the user.

50. Bit
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
A service pack is a collection of Microsoft files for ________ improvements - bug fixes - and software updates.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.