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. Operating system
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.

2. Email
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
The public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.

3. Fragmentation
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.
___________ and security are MS Windows' two major weaknesses.
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.

4. Switch
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
Random access storage devices are able to go _____ to the requested data
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.

5. Microcomputers
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.
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
Personal computers are also called ______________.

6. Binary
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
A unit of measure equaling one ______ digit is a bit.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.

7. Network
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.

8. Column
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
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.
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.

9. Machine
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
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 ____.
The central computer is called a ____.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.

10. One
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
____ is a graphics file format used on both PCs and Macs for high quality printable files.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
Plaintext is also called __________.

11. Purchases
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.
Examples of information managed by ____ software include addresses - phone numbers - appointments - and to-do lists.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.

12. Mimic
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
Values are the actual numbers or dates entered into ______.

13. Tables
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.
Plaintext is also called __________.

14. Providers
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.

15. Prices
The software that controls the search of the expert system's knowledge base and produces a conclusion is called the _________ engine.
Companies do this to keep _______ low.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).

16. Text
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.
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.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.

17. Viruses
Trojan horses can also carry ________ and destructive instructions.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.

18. Digital
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
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.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.

19. Windows
Common platforms include Apple Macintosh - ________ platforms and PC platforms.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.

20. ISP
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
An organization that provides internet access is called an ___.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___

21. ENIAC
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.

22. Memory
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.

23. Reliable
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
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 _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.

24. Peripheral
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.
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 newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.

25. Supercomputers
______________ are the most expensive and fastest computers available.
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.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.

26. Multimedia
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
The prefix '____' means a million.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.

27. Central
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
When talking about personal computers - the CPU (________ Processing Unit) is synonymous with the silicon chip known as the microprocessor - which is programmed to perform various tasks on the data it receives.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.

28. Low level
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.

29. Modem
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
A _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
___________ and security are MS Windows' two major weaknesses.

30. Artificial intelligence
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.

31. Securely
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 instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.

32. Memory

33. SQL
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.

34. Bell
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.

35. Parallel
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.

36. Email
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
Public key encryption is used to transmit credit card data in secure e-commerce transactions and it is also used for secure ______.

37. Queues
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.

38. Building
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
Open source software projects promote user modification - peer review - _____ distribution - and copying.

39. Desktop

40. Networking
The compiled program is saved as object code for later __________.
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.

41. Calculations
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.
Open source software projects promote user modification - peer review - _____ distribution - and copying.

42. Standalone
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.

43. Security
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.

44. Repeat
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a ______.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.

45. Intruders
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.

46. Access
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.

47. Order
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.

48. Radiation
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.

49. 10
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
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 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 _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.

50. Hard disk
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.
______________ are the most expensive and fastest computers available.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.