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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. Lost
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.

2. Sort
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.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.

3. Web
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).

4. Binary
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.
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 particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).

5. Multimedia
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.
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).

6. Windows

7. Primary
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.
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.

8. Infrared
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
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.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.

9. Processors
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.

10. Network
ROM chips contain data that is nonvolatile - meaning that this data is not lost when the computer is turned ____.
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
The hub prevents packet collisions - but if the hub goes down the _____ stops.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.

11. Keyboard
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.

12. Single
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
In programming - a _________ is a prewritten module designed for a specific task.
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.

13. Com
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
In a star network - all computers are connected to a _______ computer.

14. Implementation
Some computers have a ______ chip containing the circuits for two microprocessors; this is called a dual core processor.
System ______________ involves converting files - software and hardware to the new system.
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.

15. MB
Each connection _____ on a network is called a node.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
The CPU consists of the control unit - the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) and the _________ (high speed storage areas).

16. Numeric
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.

17. Modern
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 _____.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.

18. Sequential
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
The compiled program is saved as object code for later __________.

19. Providers
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
NAP stands for ________________ Point.
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.
The ____ is a set of instructions contained in ROM that tell the computer how to find the operating system and load it into RAM.

20. Passwords
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
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.

21. Gateways
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
Bandwidth is an expression of how much data can be sent through a communications channel in a given amount of ____.
NAP stands for ________________ Point.
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.

22. Hyperlinks
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
__________ appear as colored or underlined words on a webpag
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.

23. POS
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.
A program that ______ itself repeatedly on to the computer's hard disk or into the computer's memory is called a worm.

24. VPNs
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.

25. Java
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
Examples of OOP languages include C++ and _____.

26. Stress
RSI (Repetitive _______ Injury) affects tendons - muscles and nerves in the hands - wrists - arms and shoulders.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.

27. Building
A service pack is a collection of Microsoft files for ________ improvements - bug fixes - and software updates.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.

28. Memory
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.

29. Fields
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
A kilobyte is generally abbreviated as __.
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
The columns are called _______.

30. Downloaded
Pirated software can be ___________ from the web - illegally copied by a friend - or purchased in a foreign country.
A _______ __________ plan is used to restore information technology functions after operations have been interrupted by an event such as a hurricane.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.

31. Third
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.

32. Unzipped
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.

33. Inference

34. Intel
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.

35. Supervisor
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.

36. Raw
In a peer to peer network - workstations share responsibility for processing - storage - printing - and communications tasks without a ______.
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.

37. Security
A service pack is a collection of Microsoft files for ________ improvements - bug fixes - and software updates.
A _______ __________ plan is used to restore information technology functions after operations have been interrupted by an event such as a hurricane.
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.
An organization that provides internet access is called an ___.

38. Windows
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.

39. Unique

40. Proprietary
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
Each connection _____ on a network is called a node.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.

41. Input/Output
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.

42. Javascript
__________ is widely supported by web browsers and adds interactive functions to HTML pages.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
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.
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.

43. Stopping
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.

44. Former
The hub prevents packet collisions - but if the hub goes down the _____ stops.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.

45. Processes
Graphics software is designed to help users manipulate and ______ graphics.
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.

46. Cyberterrorists
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.
_______________ are politically motivated hackers who attack computer systems intending to cause large scale physical or financial harm.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.

47. Bell
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.
Common platforms include Apple Macintosh - ________ platforms and PC platforms.
Companies do this to keep _______ low.

48. Configuration
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
One reason a tape drive takes longer to access data than a ____ drive is that tape drives use sequential access.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
Harvard Graphics and MS __________ are examples of presentation graphics software.

49. Network
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.

50. Command line
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.