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. Resetting
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
In programming - a variable represents a value that can ______.
For example - the largest number an 8-bit variable can hold is ____ (2 to the power of 8 equals 256 - but a computer starts at 0 - so it can express anywhere from 0 through 255).

2. High level
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.

3. Bulletin board
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.
Critics of certification exams maintain that a multiple choice test can't accurately measure a person's ability to deal with _____ ______ software and equipment.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.

4. Solved
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Examples of keywords include READ - ______ - IF - and THEN
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.

5. Column
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.

6. Miniatures
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.

7. Guide
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
A wizard is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to _____ the user through a task.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.

8. Shortcut
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.

9. Text
________ ________ plan and implement new or improved computer services.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.

10. Glass
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
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.
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 public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.

11. Web browser
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.

12. Recorded
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).

13. Outcome
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.
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 spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.
An organization that provides internet access is called an ___.

14. Macro
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.

15. Networking
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.

16. POS
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.

17. Served
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.

18. Function
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.

19. Modern
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.

20. Digital
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.

21. Client/server
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.
In a _____________ LAN - individual computer users share the services of a centralized computer.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.

22. Securely
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.

23. Tape drive
A _____ _____ is an example of a sequential access device; it retrieves data by starting at the beginning of the tape and reading each record until the required data is found.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.

24. Column
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.

25. Work
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
When an employee uses their employer's computer time for non-work activities - this is called theft of time and ________.

26. Quickly
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
Examples of cache include L1 - L2 - and L3. In all cases - cache is storage located closer to the processor than RAM and therefore can be accessed much more ________.

27. Network
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.

28. Three dimensional
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.

29. Expert system
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
Each connection _____ on a network is called a node.

30. Access
Trojan horses can also carry ________ and destructive instructions.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.

31. Stopping
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.
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.
In a star network - all computers are connected to a _______ computer.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.

32. File names
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.

33. Query
When an employee uses their employer's computer time for non-work activities - this is called theft of time and ________.
With a relational database - users _____ records to locate and display them.
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.
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.

34. Disk drive
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.

35. Switch
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.
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.

36. Apple I
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
Plaintext is also called __________.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.

37. Hard disk
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
A collection of fields make up a _______.

38. Record
A collection of fields make up a _______.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.

39. Quicken
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.

40. Clients
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
Examples of cache include L1 - L2 - and L3. In all cases - cache is storage located closer to the processor than RAM and therefore can be accessed much more ________.
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.

41. Parallel
The JPEG graphics format has built-in _____________ that can be adjusted by the user.
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.
The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer __________ and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.

42. Kilo

43. Difference
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
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.

44. Machine
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.
A _____ _____ is an example of a sequential access device; it retrieves data by starting at the beginning of the tape and reading each record until the required data is found.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.

45. Keystroke
Output is the result of ___________.
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
According to security experts - _________ pose the greatest threat to their company's technology infrastructure.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.

46. Binary
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.

47. Email
Random access storage devices are able to go _____ to the requested data
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
The public key encryption software used to encrypt documents such as _____ is called PGP.
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.

48. Reliability

49. Analog
______ data can be represented as a wave.
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
_________ authentication devices verify a person's identity using the person's physical characteristics.

50. Application
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
Software designed to solve a specific problem is called ___________ software.
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).
The kernel is also known as the ___________.