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. Insertion
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.
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.

2. Group
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
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).

3. Processor
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.
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.
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.

4. Input
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.
_____ data can be text - images - numbers - or sounds.
While the computer is running - it remains in main ______ and manages nonresident programs.

5. Decrypt
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
____ is a graphics file format used on both PCs and Macs for high quality printable files.
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
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.

6. Web browser
Values are the actual numbers or dates entered into ______.
A bus network has two endpoints and all computers are connected to a single wire or _____.
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.

7. KB
The particular operating system and _________ model on which a computer system is based is called the platform.
The number of bits limits how big of a number can be expressed. To calculate this limit - simply do 2n - where n is the number of ____.
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.
A kilobyte is generally abbreviated as __.

8. Lost
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.

9. Processing
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
Output is the result of ___________.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.

10. Buffer
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
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.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.

11. Bits per second
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.

12. Images
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
A print server manages one or more printers and stores printed ______.
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 _____.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.

13. Processing
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
Cache speeds up _________.
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 ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.

14. Slide show
Overclocking is popular with computer gamers but can be dangerous as components may _________ and be damaged or catch fire.
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.

15. Administrator
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
The opposite of a variable is a _________ - which is a factor that remains the same throughout the program.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.

16. Windows
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
The central computer is called a ____.

17. Byte
Messages are divided into equal size packets and shipped over the network on a first come first _______ basis.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
A unit of measure equaling 8 bits is a ____.

18. Artificial intelligence
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
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.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.

19. Cannot
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
Handheld computers and ____s are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip.
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.

20. OOP
A modem is a device that sends and receives data over __________ lines to and from computers.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
A spreadsheet _____ is any number used in a calculation.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.

21. Spelling
Integrated circuits were able to do the work of thousands of _____________ or vacuum tubes on a single miniature chip.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.

22. File names
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
A modem is a device that sends and receives data over __________ lines to and from computers.
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 ____.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.

23. Finland
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds - a programmer from ________.
Tests run by laboratories to compare the overall speed of microprocessors are called __________.

24. PDA
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
A program that ______ itself repeatedly on to the computer's hard disk or into the computer's memory is called a worm.
Handheld computers and ____s are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip.

25. Bits
Disposal of _______ is a major environmental problem caused by information technology.
The primary key could be a unique series of numbers or characters; it doesn't have to be meaningful--just _______.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.
Values are the actual numbers or dates entered into ______.

26. URL
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
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.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.

27. Point
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
Each connection _____ on a network is called a node.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.

28. Wide Area
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.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).

29. Fourth
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.

30. Cyberspace
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
_______ are computer depictions of humans often found in computer games and training software.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).

31. Partition
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.

32. Bits
The number of bits limits how big of a number can be expressed. To calculate this limit - simply do 2n - where n is the number of ____.
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
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.
The prefix '____' means a million.

33. Flowchart
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
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.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.

34. Unique

35. Shortcut
Dreamweaver - Macromedia Flash and MS FrontPage are all examples of ___ _____ design software.
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.

36. Network
The Internet is a worldwide computer _______ that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks.
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.

37. Record
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 data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.
The computer's main ______ typically consists of high speed RAM which stores instructions and data.

38. One
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.

39. Professional

40. Printed
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.

41. Primary
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.

42. CIO
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.
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 ________.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
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.

43. Certification
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
______ generation computers were microprocessor based.

44. Circuit boards

45. Services

46. Hard disk
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.
With virtual memory - free _____ ____ space is used to extend the capacity of RAM.

47. Hash
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
A megabyte is often abbreviated as ___.
A _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.

48. Outsourcing
Using components or labor from outside suppliers is called ___________.
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
A _________ is a limited working system - developed to test design concepts.
_______________ are politically motivated hackers who attack computer systems intending to cause large scale physical or financial harm.

49. Manipulation
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.
Defragmentation can improve _____ ______ performance by helping the computer operate more efficiently.
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).

50. Hijacker
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.