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. Run
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
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.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.

2. Letters
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.

3. Bits per second
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.

4. Format
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.

5. Finland
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds - a programmer from ________.

6. KB
_______ storage is temporary and holds data waiting to be processed.
A kilobyte is generally abbreviated as __.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.

7. Meta
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
A technique for increasing the speed of computer components such as motherboards - memory - processors - and graphics cards is called ____________.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.

8. Line
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
A hard drive - on the other hand - is a _______ access device - which allows it to go directly to the requested data.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.

9. Credit card
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
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.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.

10. Outcome
Data and programs waiting to be processed wait in ______ in temporary storage.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
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.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.

11. Forum
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.

12. Algorithm
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.

13. Modern
Output is the result of ___________.
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
Plaintext is also called __________.

14. Clients
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.

15. Apple I
The ____ is a set of instructions contained in ROM that tell the computer how to find the operating system and load it into RAM.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.

16. Project management
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
______ ____________ software allows scheduling of events - management of costs and allocation of resources associated with a project.
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.

17. Processes
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.
Harvard Graphics and MS __________ are examples of presentation graphics software.

18. CPU
With a relational database - users _____ records to locate and display them.
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.

19. Macro
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
A _____ is a single keystroke or command used to automatically issue a longer - predefined series of keystrokes or commands.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.

20. Securely
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.
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 keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.

21. Miniatures
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.
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.

22. Backup
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.
A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium such as a hard disk - floppy disk - or CD is called a ____.
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.

23. Commands
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
Public key encryption is used to transmit credit card data in secure e-commerce transactions and it is also used for secure ______.
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.

24. Windows
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
By holding down the ctrl - alt - and del keys - ________ OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.

25. Peripheral
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
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.
Output is the result of ___________.

26. Cars
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.

27. Quicken
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.

28. Expansion
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
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).

29. Secondary
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
They are small programs which run in the ___________ and are used by devices such as modems - storage devices - mice - keyboards - monitors - printers - sound cards - network cards.

30. VPNs
___________ and security are MS Windows' two major weaknesses.
Private networks that are connected to remote sites via the internet are called ____.
The hub prevents packet collisions - but if the hub goes down the _____ stops.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.

31. Private

32. Proprietary
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.

33. Analog
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
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 _______ __________ plan is used to restore information technology functions after operations have been interrupted by an event such as a hurricane.
______ data can be represented as a wave.

34. Binary
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.
A unit of measure equaling one ______ digit is a bit.
By holding down the ctrl - alt - and del keys - ________ OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.

35. Benchmarks
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
_________ is the process of moving up - down - or sideways through the text or other screen display.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.

36. Service Provider
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.
A wizard is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to _____ the user through a task.
EarthLink - AT&T - and Road Runner are all examples of ISPs (Internet __________________).
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.

37. Input/Output
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.

38. Debugger
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
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 ____.

39. Kilobyte
Examples of personal finance manager software include ________ and Microsoft Money.
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.

40. Operating System
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
If a program exceeds its available RAM - the _________ _________ can use an area of hard disk called virtual memory to store parts of data files or programs until needed - thereby gaining almost unlimited memory capacity.

41. Sort
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.
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.
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 _____.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.

42. Copies

43. Parallel
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.
The primary key could be a unique series of numbers or characters; it doesn't have to be meaningful--just _______.

44. Network interface
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.

45. Registers
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
The CPU consists of the control unit - the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) and the _________ (high speed storage areas).
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.

46. Steps
In programming - a _________ is a prewritten module designed for a specific task.
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).
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 desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.

47. 64
A computer with a __ bit word size will transfer data within the microprocessor at 8 bytes at a time.
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.
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.

48. Windows

49. Memory
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
________ and assembly languages are low level languages.

50. Charles Babbage
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
_________ systems were first used in second generation computers.