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. Network interface
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.
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.


2. Permission


3. CIO
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.


4. Artificial intelligence
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
The columns are called _______.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.


5. Requests
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
In a _____________ LAN - individual computer users share the services of a centralized computer.
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.
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.


6. Hardware
With a ______ implementation - parts of the new system are implemented separately.
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.


7. Intranets
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.


8. SQL
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.
Companies do this to keep _______ low.
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.


9. Socket
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
A _______ computer that holds a collection of data and/or applications for providing services to workstations or PCs is called a server.
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.


10. Importing
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.


11. Bit
One use of an intranet is to allow employees to access and exchange company _____ needed to do their jobs.
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.


12. Fil
A computer's ____ size is the number of bits that the processor may process at any one time.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.


13. Fingerprint
Companies do this to keep _______ low.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.


14. Instruction
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.


15. Type
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.


16. Addresses
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.


17. Operating system
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.


18. Queues
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.


19. Parallel
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.


20. Disk scanner
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.


21. Project management
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.


22. Guide
_____ memory drives plug into the computer's USB ports and have memory capacities of up to several gigabytes.
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.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
A wizard is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to _____ the user through a task.


23. Records
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.


24. 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.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.
___ software is used to design products - maps - structures and civil engineering drawings.


25. Command line
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.


26. Volatile
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
Plaintext is also called __________.


27. 1971
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.


28. Application
Software designed to solve a specific problem is called ___________ software.
A _______ __________ plan is used to restore information technology functions after operations have been interrupted by an event such as a hurricane.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.


29. High level
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.


30. Employment
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
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.
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.
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds - a programmer from ________.


31. CPU
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.


32. Format
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.


33. Unique


34. Solaris
_____ ____ is a special feature that automatically continues text on the next line when the user reaches the right margin.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.


35. Point of Sale
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
POS (______ __ _______) terminals are computer-based devices or systems that allow the merchant to process credit cards - track customer purchase habits - and manage inventory.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.


36. Network Access
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.
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.
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.
NAP stands for ________________ Point.


37. Processes
With a ______ implementation - parts of the new system are implemented separately.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.


38. Hardware
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
In recent years - antivirus software has been one of the most popular categories of _______ software.


39. Lost
Bandwidth is an expression of how much data can be sent through a communications channel in a given amount of ____.
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).
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
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.


40. Former
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.


41. Phased
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
With a ______ implementation - parts of the new system are implemented separately.
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.


42. Proprietary
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.


43. Secondary
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.


44. Wide Area
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
Disposal of _______ is a major environmental problem caused by information technology.


45. VPNs
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.


46. Controlling
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.


47. Web pages
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.


48. Wozniak
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
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).


49. Commands
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.


50. Processing
The CPU consists of the control unit - the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) and the _________ (high speed storage areas).
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
Output is the result of ___________.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.