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. Flight
A wizard is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to _____ the user through a task.
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).
Early computers stored ____ for calculations and programs on punched cards.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.

2. Nonvolatile
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.

3. VPNs
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.

4. Images
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
FTP can be used on any _______ network such as a LAN or the Internet and is compatible with any operating system.
Each connection _____ on a network is called a node.
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.

5. Administrator
__________ is the study of safe and efficient work environments.
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.

6. Windows
With a relational database - users _____ records to locate and display them.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.

7. Decryption
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.

8. Cars
_____ memory drives plug into the computer's USB ports and have memory capacities of up to several gigabytes.
Plaintext is also called __________.
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.

9. Macro
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.
With a relational database - users _____ records to locate and display them.
The CPU consists of the control unit - the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) and the _________ (high speed storage areas).
__________ appear as colored or underlined words on a webpag

10. Spammers
A kilobyte is generally abbreviated as __.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.

11. MYCIN
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.
Sending out __________ looking emails which attempt to solicit passwords or financial information is known as phishing.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
A hard drive - on the other hand - is a _______ access device - which allows it to go directly to the requested data.

12. Controlling
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.

13. RSI
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
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.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.

14. Communications
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.

15. Cycle
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
The prefix '_____' means a thousand.
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 _____.
Trojan horses can also carry ________ and destructive instructions.

16. Single
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
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.
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.

17. Reliable
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
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.

18. Digital
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.

19. CPU
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
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.
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.

20. Files
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.

21. Architecture
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.
____ is used by copyright holders to prevent piracy of their products but can be inconvenient to legitimate users.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.

22. Serial
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.

23. Cannot
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
The columns are called _______.

24. Application
Software designed to solve a specific problem is called ___________ software.
___________ and security are MS Windows' two major weaknesses.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.

25. Fil
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.

26. Difference
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
Memory - a programmable processor - an output device - and user-defined input were all concepts Babbage conceived for a calculating device he called a ___________ Engine in 1834.
Transmission is limited to ______ range.

27. Human
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
A _______ computer that holds a collection of data and/or applications for providing services to workstations or PCs is called a server.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.

28. Free
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.

29. Fraud
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
_____ memory drives plug into the computer's USB ports and have memory capacities of up to several gigabytes.
This act established financial reporting regulations to prevent corporate ______.
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.

30. Intruders
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.

31. Operating System
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
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.
CSMA/CD is the Ethernet protocol that handles __________.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.

32. Artificial intelligence
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.

33. Solved
____ is the communications protocol used by your browser to connect with web servers and display web pages on your computer.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.

34. Processing
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
Cache speeds up _________.

35. 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 _________.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.

36. 1971
CSMA/CD is the Ethernet protocol that handles __________.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
_______ are computer depictions of humans often found in computer games and training software.

37. Wozniak
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
A desktop ______ appears on the computer desktop and is a specialized utility that looks like a control and displays information.
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.

38. Infrared
Bandwidth is an expression of how much data can be sent through a communications channel in a given amount of ____.
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.

39. Supervisor
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.

40. Programmable
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.

41. Overclocking
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.

42. Word wrap
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called 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.
_____ ____ is a special feature that automatically continues text on the next line when the user reaches the right margin.
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.

43. BIOS
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
The ____ is a set of instructions contained in ROM that tell the computer how to find the operating system and load it into RAM.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.

44. Fourth
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.

45. Produced
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.

46. Peripheral
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.
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.

47. Instructions
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.

48. Copied
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.

49. Top
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.

50. Stopping
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
The public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.