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. Storage
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.

2. Cars
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
_____ ____ is a special feature that automatically continues text on the next line when the user reaches the right margin.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.

3. Unique

4. Word processor
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.

5. Word

6. Cell
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
A what-if analysis allows a user to change the contents of a spreadsheet cell and find out how that would change the _______ of the calculation.

7. ISP
An organization that provides internet access is called an ___.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.

8. Volatile
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
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.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.

9. URL
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.

10. Flight
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.

11. Hash
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).

12. Served
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.
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 more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.

13. Hypertext Transfer
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.
Screening job applicants and limiting employee ______ to only information needed to do a specific job are examples of people controls.

14. Network Access
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
NAP stands for ________________ Point.
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.

15. Encrypted
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).

16. Intranets
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.

17. Spammers
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.

18. Memory
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.
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.

19. Clients
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
A collection of fields make up a _______.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).

20. Fragmentation
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.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.

21. Period
The hub prevents packet collisions - but if the hub goes down the _____ stops.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
The prefix '____' means a million.
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.

22. Print
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
Graphics software is designed to help users manipulate and ______ graphics.

23. Voice
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.
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.

24. Widget
_______________ are politically motivated hackers who attack computer systems intending to cause large scale physical or financial harm.
A desktop ______ appears on the computer desktop and is a specialized utility that looks like a control and displays information.
_____ ____ is a special feature that automatically continues text on the next line when the user reaches the right margin.
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.

25. Web browser
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.

26. Three dimensional
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.

27. Line
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.
Handheld computers and ____s are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip.
A _________ is a limited working system - developed to test design concepts.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.

28. Binary
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.

29. Credit card
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.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
A kilobyte is generally abbreviated as __.

30. Competitor
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
The compiled program is saved as object code for later __________.
NAP stands for ________________ Point.

31. Former
______________ are the most expensive and fastest computers available.
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.
A modem is a device that sends and receives data over __________ lines to and from computers.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.

32. Drivers
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.

33. Systems analysts
________ ________ plan and implement new or improved computer services.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.

34. Function
The hub prevents packet collisions - but if the hub goes down the _____ stops.
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.

35. Checkbooks
POS (______ __ _______) terminals are computer-based devices or systems that allow the merchant to process credit cards - track customer purchase habits - and manage inventory.
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.
Financial software allows users to track income and expenses - manage __________ - create reports - and record tax information.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.

36. Two
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.
This act established financial reporting regulations to prevent corporate ______.

37. Before
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.

38. Switch
________ ________ plan and implement new or improved computer services.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
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 _____.

39. Downloaded
Pirated software can be ___________ from the web - illegally copied by a friend - or purchased in a foreign country.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
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.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.

40. Flowchart
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.
A _________ is a limited working system - developed to test design concepts.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.

41. Organize
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.
A what-if analysis allows a user to change the contents of a spreadsheet cell and find out how that would change the _______ of the calculation.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.

42. Decrypt
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.

43. Dashboard
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer __________ and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.

44. Wozniak
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.
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.

45. Defragmentation
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.
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.

46. Preformatted
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.

47. Single
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.

48. 10
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.
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).
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.

49. Copyrighted
ISPs are connected to the internet backbone via a ___.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.

50. CIO
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.
An advantage of a network is that it allows for the sharing of ___________ devices; users on a network can share devices such as printers and modems.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.