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. Expert system
A desktop ______ appears on the computer desktop and is a specialized utility that looks like a control and displays information.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
The software that controls the search of the expert system's knowledge base and produces a conclusion is called the _________ engine.

2. URL
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.

3. Algorithm
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
CSMA/CD is the Ethernet protocol that handles __________.

4. Encryption
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.
Sending out __________ looking emails which attempt to solicit passwords or financial information is known as phishing.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.

5. Socket
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.
_______________ is used to restore the file to its original condition by replacing the repeated patterns that were removed during file compression.

6. Vacuum tubes
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.

7. Disk scanner
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.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.

8. WAN
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.

9. Fourth
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
Values are the actual numbers or dates entered into ______.

10. Parallel
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
By holding down the ctrl - alt - and del keys - ________ OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.
_______ storage is temporary and holds data waiting to be processed.

11. Byte
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.

12. Security
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.

13. Organize
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
Pirated software can be ___________ from the web - illegally copied by a friend - or purchased in a foreign country.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.

14. Timeline
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
POS (______ __ _______) terminals are computer-based devices or systems that allow the merchant to process credit cards - track customer purchase habits - and manage inventory.
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.

15. Reliable
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.
Sending out __________ looking emails which attempt to solicit passwords or financial information is known as phishing.

16. Avatars
_______ are computer depictions of humans often found in computer games and training software.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.

17. High level
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
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.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.

18. Processing
Output is the result of ___________.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.

19. Web pages
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.

20. Finland
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds - a programmer from ________.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.

21. Fraud
Values are the actual numbers or dates entered into ______.
This act established financial reporting regulations to prevent corporate ______.
The JPEG graphics format has built-in _____________ that can be adjusted by the user.
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.

22. Network
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.

23. Bus
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.
A hard drive - on the other hand - is a _______ access device - which allows it to go directly to the requested data.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.

24. Solved
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
_________ systems were first used in second generation computers.
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.
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.

25. Action
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.

26. Outcome
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
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.
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.

27. Top
When you click the link - it takes you to a site that looks just like Paypal; you enter your login information on this fake site and now the _________ have your username and password.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.

28. Recorded
With a ______ implementation - parts of the new system are implemented separately.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.

29. Specific
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.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.

30. Reliable
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.

31. Hard
One reason a tape drive takes longer to access data than a ____ drive is that tape drives use sequential access.
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
__________ is widely supported by web browsers and adds interactive functions to HTML pages.

32. Benchmarks
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
A template is a ____________ document often provided with word processing software.
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).

33. Bits per second
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).

34. Memory

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183

35. Charles Babbage
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.

36. Spreadsheet
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.
Early computers stored ____ for calculations and programs on punched cards.
With a ______ implementation - parts of the new system are implemented separately.

37. Repetitive
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds - a programmer from ________.
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.
ISPs are connected to the internet backbone via a ___.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.

38. Organize
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
A _______ computer that holds a collection of data and/or applications for providing services to workstations or PCs is called a server.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.

39. Produced
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.

40. Primary
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.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.

41. Wikipedia
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.
Improper positioning of your keyboard and mouse can cause ___.
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.

42. Employees

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183

43. Employment
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.
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.

44. Keystroke
An organization's internal _______ network is called an intranet.
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.

45. Quicken
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.

46. Text
The JPEG graphics format has built-in _____________ that can be adjusted by the user.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.

47. GUI
The desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.

48. Bulletin board
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.

49. Musical
____ testing involves checking a program by running it with real world data.
Database ______________ create - maintain - and supervise the day to day operation of databases.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.

50. Proprietary
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
Disposal of _______ is a major environmental problem caused by information technology.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.