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. Component
In programming - a _________ is a prewritten module designed for a specific task.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
Pirated software can be ___________ from the web - illegally copied by a friend - or purchased in a foreign country.
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.

2. Column
A unit of measure equaling one ______ digit is a bit.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.

3. Systems analysts
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
________ ________ plan and implement new or improved computer services.

4. Routes
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.
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.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
The TCP/IP protocol breaks data up into packets - which are fixed-length blocks of data - for transmission over the network. This permits the message to be broken up into small parts which are then transmitted over separate _______ and yet all end up

5. Parallel
The TCP/IP protocol breaks data up into packets - which are fixed-length blocks of data - for transmission over the network. This permits the message to be broken up into small parts which are then transmitted over separate _______ and yet all end up
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.

6. Commands
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.

7. Scheduling
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.
The central computer is called a ____.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.

8. Record
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
A database index contains a list of keys and each key provides a pointer to the ______ that contains the rest of the fields related to that key.
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.

9. Processes
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.

10. Print
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
One use of an intranet is to allow employees to access and exchange company _____ needed to do their jobs.
Graphics software is designed to help users manipulate and ______ graphics.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.

11. Requests
The goal is to overload the target server or network by suddenly bombarding it with thousands or even millions of _________ - making it unable to respond to requests from legitimate users.
The web protocol HTTP (__________ __________ Protocol) is a set of rules for exchanging information over the web.
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.

12. Algorithm
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.

13. Buffer
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
Floppy disk - external hard drive - CD-RW - tape - and USB flash drive are all examples of ______ media.

14. Defragmentation
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.

15. Debugger
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.

16. MB
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
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).
A file server is a centralized computer that acts like a __________ - storing programs and data shared by users on the LAN.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.

17. Real world

18. Line
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.
Most computer manufacturers use components (hard drives - processors - memory - etc.) supplied by other __________; this is called outsourcing.

19. Expert system
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
___________ programming rules are called syntax.
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.

20. Multiply
Open source software projects promote user modification - peer review - _____ distribution - and copying.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.

21. Services

22. Cleartext
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
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.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
Plaintext is also called __________.

23. Benchmarks
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
Disposal of _______ is a major environmental problem caused by information technology.
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.

24. Registers
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
The CPU consists of the control unit - the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) and the _________ (high speed storage areas).
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).

25. Office
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
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 _____.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
Harvard Graphics and MS __________ are examples of presentation graphics software.

26. Copied
The desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
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 ____.
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).

27. Proprietary
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.

28. Default
Early computers stored ____ for calculations and programs on punched cards.
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.

29. Standalone
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.

30. Input
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
Plaintext is also called __________.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.

31. KB
A kilobyte is generally abbreviated as __.
For every software _____________ - the CPU control unit carries out four basic operations known as the machine cycle.
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
Output is the result of ___________.

32. File names
______ times for PC storage devices are measured in milliseconds.
______________ are the most expensive and fastest computers available.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.

33. Network interface
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.

34. Changed
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
When data is ________ in one cell - data in other cells is automatically recalculated.
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).

35. Slows down

36. Intel
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.
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.

37. Lost
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
Second generation computers used ___________ instead of vacuum tubes.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.

38. Communications
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.

39. Million
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
A wizard is an interactive computer utility that asks a user questions to _____ the user through a task.
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.

40. Settings
EarthLink - AT&T - and Road Runner are all examples of ISPs (Internet __________________).
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.
_______ are notes included in the program code by the programmer.
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.

41. Solved
Sending out __________ looking emails which attempt to solicit passwords or financial information is known as phishing.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
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 main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.

42. POS
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
Harvard Graphics and MS __________ are examples of presentation graphics software.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.

43. Cookies
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
The CPU consists of the control unit - the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) and the _________ (high speed storage areas).
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 main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.

44. Network
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.
Linux is a non-___________ version of UNIX and is maintained by thousands of volunteer programmers around the world.

45. Recalculation
All the physical equipment in a computer system is called ________.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.

46. Driver
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.
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.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.

47. Fourth
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.
Transmission is limited to ______ range.
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.

48. Hardware
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.

49. Apple I
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
The opposite of a variable is a _________ - which is a factor that remains the same throughout the program.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.

50. High level
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.