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. Domain name

2. Voice
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.
A service pack is a collection of Microsoft files for ________ improvements - bug fixes - and software updates.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.

3. Overclocking
A computer's ____ size is the number of bits that the processor may process at any one time.
Personal computers are also called ______________.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.

4. PowerPoint
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
Harvard Graphics and MS __________ are examples of presentation graphics software.
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.

5. Million
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
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 ____.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.

6. Publisher
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.

7. Hypertext
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.

8. Central
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
A _______ computer that holds a collection of data and/or applications for providing services to workstations or PCs is called a server.
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.

9. Network Access
System ______________ involves converting files - software and hardware to the new system.
_____ memory drives plug into the computer's USB ports and have memory capacities of up to several gigabytes.
NAP stands for ________________ Point.
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.

10. Addresses
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
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).
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
__________ is the study of safe and efficient work environments.

11. File names
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.

12. Unique

13. Formula
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.

14. Function
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.

15. Systems analysts
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.
________ ________ plan and implement new or improved computer services.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.

16. Supervisor
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.

17. Decode
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.

18. Cursor
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.

19. Copyrighted
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.

20. Network
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
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.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.

21. Spreadsheet
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.

22. Reliable
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.

23. Raw
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.

24. Files
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.

25. Services

26. Operating system

27. Transistors
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.

28. Outsourcing
Dreamweaver - Macromedia Flash and MS FrontPage are all examples of ___ _____ design software.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.

29. Charles Babbage
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
A program that ______ itself repeatedly on to the computer's hard disk or into the computer's memory is called a worm.
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.

30. Reliable
Handheld computers and ____s are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.

31. Overheat
Overclocking is popular with computer gamers but can be dangerous as components may _________ and be damaged or catch fire.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.

32. Keyboard
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.

33. Encrypted
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
Open source software projects promote user modification - peer review - _____ distribution - and copying.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.

34. Column
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
System software includes device drivers - utility programs - and the __________ system.

35. Monitors
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.

36. Protocol
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.

37. Unzipped
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
A _______ computer that holds a collection of data and/or applications for providing services to workstations or PCs is called a server.
Personal computers are also called ______________.

38. Hijacker
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 _____.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.

39. Transmit
Reading through a program to make sure it is logical and free of errors is called _____ ________.
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.

40. Configuration
The prefix '_____' means a thousand.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.

41. Research
Plaintext is also called __________.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.

42. Standalone
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
This act established financial reporting regulations to prevent corporate ______.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.

43. VoIP
Output is the result of ___________.
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.

44. Debugging
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.

45. Operating system
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
A _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.

46. Billion
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.

47. Slows down

48. Credit card
___ software is used to design products - maps - structures and civil engineering drawings.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.

49. Cable
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.

50. Before
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.